The Liftoff: National leaders (and 2028 hopefuls?) come to Oregon
The Liftoff: National leaders (and 2028 hopefuls?) come to Oregon
PLUS: Kotek's "biggest loss of the session"; an update on the legislative recall; Portland's mayoral race heats up; fentanyl users to receive foil and straws; OLCV names a new leader; and more!
Welcome back to The Liftoff! It may be summer, and the the legislature is adjourned, but the news never stops! You’ll find us here every Monday with everything you need to know about Oregon politics.
Do you want to get your message in front of Oregon’s most politically engaged audience? We’re looking for an additional sponsor to sign on for 2024 — reach out to Alex (alex@or360.org) to start the conversation!
Like what you read each week? Share our content, or upgrade your subscription (it’s only $10 a month). As we say every week: Thank you! We can’t do this work without your support.
1. Legislative News: Kotek’s “biggest loss of the session” and Holvey’s recall
Nigel Jaquiss of WW dissected Governor Kotek’s “biggest loss of the legislative session”, HB 3414, which would have created (among other things) a one-time expansion of Oregon’s urban growth boundaries to add more developable land to help meet the Governor’s housing goals.
Here’s an excerpt: “Although Kotek and legislative Democrats passed much of their agenda this year, the failure of HB 3414 illustrates the learning curve facing her and Senate Democratic leaders, all new to their positions. It also shows the escalating conflict between the need to build more housing faster and Oregon’s land use planning system, now in its 50th year of sharply dividing city from farm and forest.”
Some of the Oregon Republican senators who walked out this year are already making reelection plans, despite Ballot Measure 113. According to OPB, four of the Republicans say they will run again: Sens. Tim Knopp, Brian Boquist, Dennis Linthicum and Art Robinson. A fifth, Sen. Lynn Findley, says he’s still making up his mind. Only Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) has officially retired.
Veteran Salem correspondent Dick Hughes has a column questioning why Governor Kotek is not holding more press conferences or media interviews. “The lack represents lost opportunities for Kotek to make her case with Oregonians and for state-government reporters to hold her accountable,” he writes.
According to OPB, “United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 has submitted petitions containing more than 6,600 signatures in favor of recalling state Rep. Paul Holvey,” over 2,000 signatures more than the minimum threshold to trigger a recall.
2. Mingus Mapps jumps in for PDX mayor, Mult. Co. to distribute supplies to fentanyl smokers, and more!
Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps announced on Wednesday that he will run for mayor. In an interview with The Oregonian, Mapps highlighted “the city’s increase in homicides, shootings and property crimes, its struggle to get thousands of unsheltered people off the streets and a growing drug crisis.” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has not announced if he will run for a third term.
To learn more about Mapps’, check out his appearance on the Oregon Bridge Podcast!
The Multnomah County Health Department will soon begin distributing tin foil and straws this month to fentanyl smokers. According to Willamette Week, the supplies also include glass pipes for smoking meth and crack and “snorting kits”. Did this decision catch local elected officials by surprise? By Friday, several tweeted their concerns:
Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards tweeted: “Given the unprecedented deaths from fentanyl in our community, I will definitely be asking for more info about this new practice. The best long term harm reduction approach is treatment & recovery. Urgent focus on acting on that is what is urgently needed.”
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted: “I adamantly oppose distributing paraphernalia to encourage using a drug that is the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 and responsible for 190 fatal overdoses a day in the US.”
From Willamette Week: “A 20-year veteran prosecutor accused Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt and his office of gender discrimination and retaliation in a draft legal complaint dated in March and now obtained by WW. Officials paid her $125,000 to settle the allegations...The county commissioned a law firm to look into Harris’ complaints last year that ultimately determined they were unfounded. A spokeswoman for Schmidt’s office, Liz Merah, said settling was the most financially responsible option.”
3. What the life and legacy of Steve "Pre" Prefontaine means to Oregon with Tom Jordan
Steve "Pre" Prefontaine is an Oregon legend. Pre was charismatic, controversial, magnetic, gritty, outspoken, and iconic. One of the most talented athletes in Oregon history, Pre was a runner on Bill Bowerman and Bill Delinger's track team at the University of Oregon. He grew up in Coos Bay (which helped shape who he was) and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated by the time he was 18. He was the first athlete ever paid to wear Nike shoes. Pre's life was cut short in a tragic and somewhat mysterious car accident when he was 24-years-old on Skyline Boulevard in Eugene—his death remains the source of conspiracy theories and unanswered questions over 50 years later.
In this episode we talk to Tom Jordan, a giant in the Oregon Track and Field world in his own right, who directed the Prefontaine Classic for 37 years--and who literally wrote the book on Pre. We discuss Pre's life--his childhood in Coos Bay, his swagger as an athlete, his battles against the AAU, his relationship with Nike, the legendary 1972 Olympics, and his untimely death. As a former athlete, reporter, and a contemporary of Pre's, Tom had a front-row seat for many of Pre's accomplishments. We conclude by talking about Pre's legacy and why he matters to Oregon.
4. Sponsored Message from Harrang Long P.C.: Harrang Long’s Government Ethics Practice
This message is from our sponsor, Harrang Long P.C.
Oregon law imposes several ethical obligations on state and local public officials, including prohibitions on the use of public office for private gain, procedures for addressing potential and actual conflicts of interest, and regulation of post-service employment. State law also regulates and requires reporting by lobbyists. Harrang Long P.C.’s lawyers work with public officials and lobbyists who need advice on how to comply with government ethics rules, and we represent clients before the Oregon Government Ethics Commission when they are accused of violating those rules.
Our deep experience with government ethics helps us evaluate issues efficiently and offer practical advice in what can often be contentious and politically charged circumstances. To learn more about Harrang Long’s government ethics practice, click here.
5. National figures (and 2028 hopefuls?) come to Oregon
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in Portland on Friday, and met with Oregon leaders, including Governor Kotek and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, and many more . After visiting Portland Community College's Southeast Campus, they toured 82nd Ave on an all-electric TriMet bus. Buttigieg visited 82nd Ave to see safety improvements, and discuss climate friendly transport in the corridor.
Former Arizona Republican nominee for governor Kari Lake is visiting Oregon for a fundraiser promoting the group that is planning a major pro-gun ballot initiative in 2024.
In case you missed it, California Governor Gavin Newsom visited Bend to stump for Joe Biden’s reelection campaign (and, WW hypothesizes, to prepare for 2028).
6. State programs in the news
Oregon’s electric vehicle rebate program is out of money and will remain suspended for the rest of the year, potentially impacting EV sales and the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, reports OPB.
Calls to the Oregon Department of Justice’s Hate and Bias hotline increased 74% from 2021 to 2022, according to an annual report from the Criminal Justice Commission.
Oregon has expanded free health insurance for low-income Oregonians – regardless of immigration status. The program, called Healthier Oregon, receives some federal funding for emergency and pregnancy-related services but the state pays for most of the benefits, reports the Capital Chronicle.
A federal judge has again limited who can be treated at the Oregon State Hospital, writes The Oregonian. “At a hearing Monday, Judge Michael Mosman ruled that only patients charged with felonies or “person misdemeanors,” such as violating a restraining order, can be admitted to the state mental hospital for treatment.”
All of Oregon’s seven public universities increased tuition costs this year, according to data from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The increases might surprise you (hint: the biggest increase is at Eastern Oregon University).
7. News Roundup: OLCV’s new leader, the Mayor of Newport’s controversial memes, and Sondland back in the headlines
Former ambassador to to the E.U. Gordon Sondland (who also owned Provenance Hotels), and a former Provenance business executive violated federal election laws in 2018 when the company reimbursed the executive $106,000 for campaign contributions. Federal law forbids corporations from reimbursing employees for personal contributions.
Lindsey Scholten has succeeded Doug Moore as head of Oregon League of Conservation Voters, one of the state’s most active environmental groups.
According to a report by OPB for years Newport Mayor Dean Sawyer has posted hateful memes on Facebook, including a recent “meme mocking a trans dancer in a private Facebook group exclusively for current and retired law enforcement officers.”
From the Oregonian: “9th Circuit strikes down Oregon law prohibiting undercover recordings”
Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson is not running for re-election. Over the years Nelson has drawn “both praise and criticism, from his efforts to crack down on illicit marijuana, to saying his office wouldn’t prioritize a new gun law,” reports the Bend Bulletin.
From the Lake Oswego Review: “Over 780 organizations, businesses and a bipartisan group of community leaders are calling on Clackamas County commissioners to support the county’s Office of Equity and Inclusion in response to one of the commissioners who recently voted to defund the office.”
Tips? Feedback? Ideas? Corrections? We want to hear from you! Email benjaminwbowman@gmail.com or kristinaedmunson@gmail.com.
Consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps us grow and offer more opportunities to this community. It’s just $10 a month!
Want to advertise with us? Get in touch! Our readership has grown and we reach a wide variety of Oregonians!
About the Authors
Ben Bowman is the state representative for Oregon House District 25 (Tigard, Metzger, and South Beaverton) and a member of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board. In his day job, he works as an administrator for a public school district. Previously, he worked as a legislative aide for former Reps. Margaret Doherty and Val Hoyle. He also co-hosts The Oregon Bridge podcast. In the newsletter and podcast, he speaks only for himself.
Alex Titus is a small business owner and consultant to businesses, nonprofits, and associations. Previously, he served as an Advisor in the Trump Administration and as a Policy Advisor to President Trump’s Super PAC. His writing has appeared in National Review, Fox News, The Hill, RealClearPolitics, and other publications.
Kristina Edmunson has been everything from press assistant for Governor Kulongoski, media advance associate for Vice President Biden, and communications director for Attorney General Rosenblum. Born and raised in Eugene, she has been involved in some of the biggest policy and legal decisions in Oregon over the last decade. Today, she runs her own communications practice. She speaks only for herself in her contributions to The Liftoff.