The Liftoff: Prominent Oregonians say goodbye
PLUS: A big week for the Kotek Administration; meet Oregon's new members of Congress; budget asks pile up as legislature prepares for fiscal challenges; four marijuana trends to watch; and more!
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1. A big week for the Kotek Administration
It was a big week for Gov.-Elect Tina Kotek. She spoke to Oregon’s business community, named a new head of a high-profile agency, and committed to a yearlong listening tour. Here are some highlights:
Kotek launched a new transition website—an official state government website.
Looking for a new challenge? The transition team is officially accepting resumes.
Kotek has named a new (interim) head of the Oregon Health Authority: James Schroeder, CEO of Health Share, a CCO serving Medicaid-eligible patients in the tri-county area.
In a speech to the Oregon Business Summit, Kotek announced a “One Oregon Listening Tour”—she’s promising to visit each of the 36 counties in her first year in office (much like Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley’s “each county, each year” approach to town halls).
Kotek identified three top priorities:
housing and homelessness
access to mental health and addiction treatment
successful schools
She also identified “three overarching goals” for her first year:
Building trust across Oregon
Increasing accountability and oversight in state government to improve customer service
Encouraging new and more robust intergovernmental and private sector partnerships
2. Goodbyes and new beginnings for leading Oregonians
Senate President Peter Courtney, the longest serving presiding officer in the history of the legislature, said goodbye to his colleagues during last week’s Legislative Days.
State Sen. Dallas Heard (R-Roseburg) will resign from the legislature. The former chair of the state GOP has made headlines for controversial statements and his refusal to wear a mask during the pandemic. Heard is supporting Rep. David Brock Smith in the appointment contest to replace him.
Senate GOP Leader Tim Knopp cannot hire his son, Reagan Knopp (an Oregon Bridge podcast host and occasional contributor to The Liftoff), as a caucus office employee, according to a opinion from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission—but he can (and will) hire him through his district office.
When Jessica Vega Pederson becomes Chair of Multnomah County, a familiar name will fill her commissioner seat: former state senator Diane Rosenbaum. She will not run to fill the seat when it’s on the ballot this coming May.
The former head of the Oregon Elections Division, Deborah Scroggin, was forced out when Secretary of State Shemia Fagan asked for her resignation, according to WW.
A lengthy memo that included anonymous accusations of toxicity and “emotional abuse” (and some more unusual concerns) by Cameron Whitten, CEO of Brown Hope, was the basis for board chair Gregory McKelvey placing him on administrative leave. Last week, the board added two members and decided to keep Whitten in place while an independent investigation occurs. The Department of Justice will conduct its own investigation.
3. Budget asks pile up ahead of a challenging fiscal environment
Budget asks have already started to accumulate as the legislature prepares for what may be session marked by scarce resources—after two years of abundance.
From the Capital Chronicle: “Oregon groups urge Kotek to increase environmental funding, staff”
From OPB: A legislative task force on higher education wants millions in new investments—and Oregon’s higher education agency asks for $780 million in new student aid.
On the heels of plans for a major semiconductor manufacturing falling through, Gov.-Elect Kotek supports a state investment of $200-300 million “to make Oregon more attractive to chipmakers through tax incentives, industrial land readiness and workforce development,” according to the Oregonian.
Outgoing OHA Director Pat Allen told lawmakers he believed they should expand the capacity of the Oregon State Hospital—a move that would cost millions.
4. Meet Oregon’s new members of Congress
Good news: We have three new podcast episodes in the hopper! But this week, as we prepare to enter the new year, we wanted to share some of our favorite highlights .
All three new members of Oregon’s congressional delegation joined the podcast last year. Here are the links:
5. Four marijuana trends to watch
Oregon’s marijuana scene continues to make headlines. Here are four trends to pay attention to:
Worker Exploitation: ABC News did a deep-dive and trip through Southern Oregon to highlight ‘narco slaves’—workers who are taken against their will to work in illegal marijuana fields. The story highlights the exploitation, fear, and sometimes violence that this vulnerable population faces.
Teen Marijuana Abuse: Check out this headline from the Oregon Capital Press:
“Teen marijuana abuse increased 245% in 20 years, OHSU study finds”
Tougher Laws: Oregon lawmakers are considering tougher laws for illegal marijuana production. Police seized nearly 10 times the amount of illegal marijuana in 2021 compared to 2019. Keep watch on this to see how, despite legalization, law enforcement is again becoming intertwined with marijuana.
Across State Lines: A lawsuit may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back when it comes to shipping marijuana across state lines. Jefferson Packing House filed suit against Governor Kate Brown and other officials arguing that “a section of Oregon law that prohibits state-licensed operators from shipping marijuana across state lines” is unconstitutional. Some legal scholars think they have a good chance of success.
6. Holiday season reminder: help your neighbors
Thanks as always to our friends at the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center for this week’s graphic—which shows that fewer than half of Oregonians report receiving help or support from someone outside their family in the last week. This is a good reminder: check in on your friends and neighbors.
7. News Roundup: The end of the death penalty, a big settlement, and high school journalists making an impact
Governor Kate Brown commuted the sentence of all 17 individuals on death row to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She also ordered the dismantling of Oregon’s execution chambers. The death penalty has been effectively defunct since former Gov. John Kitzhaber initiated a moratorium in 2011. Gov.-Elect Tina Kotek is also opposed to the death penalty and will not allow any executions during her time in office.
Rep. Mark Meek and John Brown, Chair of the Public Lands Advisory Committee, say the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission egregiously overpaid for a new property, according to WW.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that DOJ won a nearly $700 million settlement with Monsanto over decades of pollution of a highly toxic chemical compound.
Why journalism matters: check out the investigative journalism from students at Grant High School about inappropriate conduct from a high school sports photographer.
Some in Oregon’s LGBTQ+ community are speaking out against Measure 114 claiming fears it might restrict them from accessing firearms.
Sam Bankman-Fried, disgraced former CEO of crypto exchange FTX and prominent political donor, has been arrested and faces extradition to the U.S. He is facing a litany of charges from the U.S. federal government.
Thank you for reading.
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About the Authors
Ben Bowman is the chair of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board and state representative-elect for Oregon House District 25 (Tigard and Beaverton). 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.