The Liftoff: Powerful state leader poisoned; more legislative shakeups
PLUS: Schrader provides key vote for Biden's infrastructure bill; sharp elbows in the Gov's race; a cash windfall in Portland; and redistricting update.
Welcome back to the Liftoff!
In this week’s reminder that everything is political, Oregon’s transition to full-year Daylight Savings Time is stalled by…Congress and California? Read the full explanation from OPB.
We hope you enjoyed your extra hour!
1. Sen. Betsy Johnson loses gavel; more legislative changes
Senate President Peter Courtney (who has yet to announce whether he will seek reelection) has stripped Sen. Betsy Johnson (who is running for Governor as an independent) from her position as chair of the budget-writing Ways & Means Committee.
Johnson was not happy, saying: “Today, the extreme left of the Democratic Party canceled me as co-chair of the Ways & Means Committee. This intolerant purging represents everything wrong with Oregon politics.”
Senator Ginny Burdick, the longest-tenured woman in the history of the state senate, has officially stepped down from the legislature to begin an appointment on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Former Rep. Akasha Lawrence-Spence has mounted a strong campaign for the appointment to fill the Senate District 18 vacancy.
Meanwhile, the Senate Rules Committee will be conducting hearings for several state board nominees. The Oregon Capital Chronicle has a great summary.
At least one of those nominees is facing backlash: Amy Schlusser, who works as an attorney for the Green Energy Institute, is being opposed for the post by Oregon Manufacturers and Commerce. Gov. Kate Brown is standing behind her nominee.
2. New maps seem likely to stay
“Special Master” (fact-finder for redistricting appeals) retired state judge Henry Breithaupt was not impressed with the GOP challenge to recently-approved Oregon congressional maps. He said there is “little compelling evidence” of favoritism toward Democrats, and that the findings of the Republicans’ key witness “lack credibility”. A panel of five judges will determine whether to dismiss the challenges by November 24.
Get your magnifying glass ready: Meanwhile, Multnomah County and Metro have both released draft redistricting maps for their commissioners (for the county) and councilors (for the Metro council). The proposed/potential shifts in both are relatively minor.
3. Three must-read pieces on Oregon
First, this will blow your mind: “Who poisoned Joe Gilliam…twice?” by Pulitzer Prize winner Nigel Jaquiss of Willamette Week
Gilliam served as President of the powerful Northwest Grocers Association for over 20 years. The group represents companies like Costco and Safeway.
The Gilliam family is a staple in Oregon politics and civic life. Joe’s younger brother, Vic, served for a decade in Salem as a state rep. and his father, Earl, served as President of Warner Pacific College.
Police have opened two murder investigations, one in Oregon and one in Arizona, after they have determined that Joe was poisoned with thallium
Governor Kate Brown and Congressman Kurt Schrader have voiced concern about the circumstances surrounding Gilliam’s hospitalization
Second, excellent reporting in this series from the new Oregon Capital Chronicle by Lynn Terry: “Children in Crisis: Strained mental health system failing Oregon children”
Finally, a Corvallis School Board Member, Sami Al-Abdrabbuh (who is also Chair of the Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus) made the New York Times in an article that highlights rising threats to school board members across the country.
4. What’s happening in the Governor’s race?
First, from Gary Warner at the Oregon Capital Bureau: “Cash dash is on for Oregon candidates for governor”
Next, gubernatorial candidate Yamhill County Commissioner Casey Kulla was interviewed by WW last week. He takes an aggressive approach to competitor Nick Kristof, saying: “I don’t think our state needs to have somebody who hasn’t been around a lot as governor…none of us who interacted with [Kristof] on a regular basis in the past knew he was living here.”
5. Schrader back in the news, this time as lynchpin for passage of infrastructure package
Congressman Kurt Schrader was one of five moderate House Dems who signaled they will vote for the “Build Back Better” reconciliation legislation once it is scored for cost, clearing the way for progressives to vote for the infrastructure bill. Here’s an excerpt from a Politico story about how it happened: “Congressional Progressive Caucus leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash) asked each of the centrists who signed the statement to look her in the eye as they committed both publicly and privately to vote for the broader spending deal after they’ve seen cost estimates.”
But, Schrader is keeping alive the possibility that he might still vote no.
In unrelated news, he is being sued by his brother over a $3 million family vacation home.
6. Portland metro area highlights
Stunning remarks from Mayor Ted Wheeler: “This is the deadliest era in modern times for the city of Portland. Many Portlanders no longer feel safe in their city…Without these investments, the outlook for violence in our city is grim.” Full story from The O on Wheeler’s proposal to hire more public safety personnel.
In a split 3-2 vote, the Washington County Commission voted to ban flavored tobacco products, making them the first county in the state to do so.
7. OPB Political Reporter Dirk VanderHart joins The Bridge
Dirk VandertHart is one of Oregon’s most prominent political journalists, working for OPB. Previously, he worked at the Portland Mercury, and before that worked at several local publications across the country. Many Oregon politicos will recognize his voice from radio or from the OPB Politics Now podcast.
He is an incredibly well-sourced and thoughtful reporter with many nuggets of wisdom and insight you're unlikely to hear from anyone else. In this episode, we discuss the state of local journalism in Oregon and VanderHart explains whether he’s optimistic or pessimistic about the future of state politics reporting in Oregon. VanderHart also tells us about his path to Oregon (and whether he considers himself an Oregonian) and some of the things he’s learned along the way. Then, we dive into the most important political topics of today: redistricting and the 2022 election.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Audible, or YouTube.
8. Oregon Values & Beliefs Center survey highlights
Thanks to our friends at the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center for this graphic on the most important considerations for choosing a job, separated by age group. A couple of items to note:
Salary is the top consideration for each cohort (though by varying degrees)
The older a worker, the more important obtaining health insurance is
Unsurprising: work flexibility and work-life balance are very important to younger generations
9. News Round-up
How does Governor Kate Brown use her clemency/commutation power? A fascinating story from Noelle Crombie at The O.
Vamshi Reddy, a finalist to be the next U.S. Attorney for Oregon, has a new job at the Portland city attorney’s office. Nigel Jaquiss has the story for Willamette Week.
OPB: “Oregon Democrats urge the Biden administration to pass free community college”
Idaho prepares for its Oregon annexation: “Idahoans like 'Greater Idaho' proposal”
Willamette Week: “Oregon Lawmakers Warn: Drought Has Cut the Salmon Haul in Half”
Interesting piece on how Measure 110 is going from Dirk VanderHart at OPB. “Oregon’s pioneering drug law raises more questions than answers in early months”
KOIN 6: “National monument proposed for area near OR’s Painted Hills”
Thank you for reading.
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