The Liftoff: Sharp exchanges in Gov's race; legislator won't face charges
PLUS: Abortion fight shakes up Oregon politics; Oregon's housing crisis worsens; experts critique Measure 110; Beyer overcomes opposition; WNBA back to Portland?; and more!
Welcome back to The Liftoff!
Also, don’t miss two great op-eds from our Way contributors Mark Hester and Gary Conkling who wrote about paths forward on Oregon’s education system. Click here and here to read!
1. Gubernatorial candidates weigh in on test score decline
The pandemic had a significant impact on student learning, with test scores down by an average of 9% across the state. Also, as the Capitol Chronicle pointed out, participation in the standardized test was significantly lower than previous years.
Here’s how the gubernatorial responded to the news—and to each other—on Twitter.
Johnson: “As I have said since I launched this campaign, the worst thing that Kate Brown did during Covid was shutting down our schools. It’s unacceptable that our children may well pay a price going forward.”
Drazan: “I’m furious. I’m furious because every parent knew that this was coming…Make no mistake, the bureaucratic leadership responsible for these decisions will be fired on my first day in office.”
Kotek: “These numbers are unacceptable. As Governor, I will push to make sure all kids are reading by 3rd grade, schools are expanding career technical education, and we’re all working together to help every student succeed.”
Drazan (to Kotek): “Tina, you blocked legislation that would've reopened our schools. You caused this problem. It's beyond disingenuous for you to call this crisis "unacceptable" when you helped cause it. Oregonians have had enough of your failures and it's why we're turning the page.”
Kotek (to Drazan): “Enough with the false attacks. Our kids are struggling, and you want to cut Student Success funding for career technical education and mental health counselors in schools. That's 100% the wrong direction.”
The East Oregonian took a look at how the three candidates differed on higher education issues.
2. Hieb won’t face chargers; Beyer overcomes opposition; Vial runs for senate (legislative news!)
Overcoming opposition from environmental leaders and organizations, Senator Lee Beyer was confirmed by the Senate to a seat on the Oregon Transportation Commission by a vote of 22-2 (Sens. Dennis Linthicum and Kim Thatcher voted no on the block of all gubernatorial appointments).
State Representative James Hieb will not face charges after a confrontation with police officers at a fairground.
You may not have heard of “Bring Balance to Salem PAC”, but if you care about which party will be in the majority next year, you should get to know them. The PAC is supporting GOP candidates and is buoyed by a $1 million donation from Phil Knight and (paid) fundraising support from former congressman Greg Walden.
The legislature is struggling mightily to find the right candidate to be the next Legislative Equity Officer (who handles complaints related to workplace harassment)—legislative leaders have authorized up to $100,000 for a recruitment firm to help fill the position.
Betsy Johnson isn’t the only non-affiliated candidate who will appear on the ballot this November. Former state representative Rich Vial is running for the state senate against Democrat Rep. Wlnsvey Campos and Republican candidate Kimberly Rice.
From the Capital Chronicle: “Gov. Kate Brown wants the Legislature to act quickly next year to pass a new tax credit and other incentives to expand Oregon’s semiconductor industry.”
3. Four crises to keep on your radar
Oregon’s Addiction Crisis, via the Capital Chronicle: National experts criticized at least part of Oregon’s approach to addiction under Measure 110. Keith Humphreys, director of the Stanford Network on Addiction Policy, said: “If Oregon continues on its current path of not complementing effective harm reduction with strong prevention and treatment initiatives, and of focusing harm reduction only on people who use drugs, it should expect rising drug use, addiction and harms to communities.”
Serious Higher Education Challenges, via OPB: “Southern Oregon University has a challenging financial path ahead as it deals with declining enrollment. SOU president Rick Bailey told faculty and staff on Tuesday morning that the university is facing a nearly $5 million deficit in the coming year.”
Oregon Hospital Systems in Crisis, via the Capital Chronicle: “People in Oregon are dying as a result of the state’s hospital staffing shortage.”
Oregon’s Housing Crisis Worsens, via the Capital Chronicle: “Oregon’s housing shortage is worse today than it was before the start of the Covid pandemic…[a state economist] listed items that he said would help close the gap – increasing land availability, turning that land into buildable lots more quickly, allowing more units to be built, and decreasing or stabilizing development costs. But he focused on another issue: increasing the construction workforce, in both the private and public sectors.”
4. Abortion news driving politics
The overturning of Roe v. Wade continues to alter the landscape of both state and local politics. Here are some highlights of stories involving abortion access:
From The Globe and Mail: “In liberal Oregon, Republican opportunity confronts an abortion shockwave”. In the article, Oregon pollster John Horvick is quoted as saying “Abortion has changed the dynamics” in explaining improving poll numbers for Democrats.
Senator Ron Wyden is taking on crisis pregnancy centers, citing privacy concerns
Christel Allen is stepping down as Executive Director of Pro-Choice Oregon. Most recently, she led the organization through its disaffiliation with the national organization NARAL Pro-Choice America.
A man has plead guilty to destroying the property of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Grants Pass, shattering windows and breaking security cameras and signs.
5. The Bridge looks behind 2022’s eye-popping fundraising numbers
This week, Ben and Reagan outline the fundraising and cash-on-hand totals for key races in Oregon (including the race for Governor, BOLI, and the battle to control the legislature). We also discuss how listeners should think about the numbers, and some caveats to be aware of before taking too much stock in money totals.
6. This week in good news!
Some good news (for a change!) on a state IT project, via Pamplin: “The first phase of the new computer system for the Oregon Employment Department has gotten off to a relatively smooth start.”
Here’s some more good news, from The O: “Travelers grow more exasperated at airports, but PDX satisfaction holds steady”
Senator Ron Wyden is working to bring a WNBA team back to Portland, writing in a letter to the NBA and WNBA commissioners: “A WNBA franchise in my hometown of Portland would be a slam dunk-success for the city and the league. [It] would grow the sport nationally and further deepen the connection between basketball and the city.”
7. Where do Oregonians stand on Roe v. Wade?
Thanks as always to OVBC for this week’s graphic. Oregonians overwhelmingly support reinstating federal abortion rights—and the gap grows wider among younger cohorts.
8. News Roundup: Newberg School Board struck down in court and a big fine for a Portland council candidate
From OPB: “Newberg schools’ ban on certain symbols violates Oregon Constitution, Yamhill Circuit Court rules”
Willamette Week reported on a New York Times analysis, writing: “[they] found 97 legislators out of 535 with dicey deals done by themselves or by family members, including two of Oregon’s longest-serving Democratic leaders: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer.”
Rene Gonzalez, candidate for Portland City Council, was fined $77,000 for an improper in-kind donation of office space in downtown Portland
Richard Whitman, who has led the Oregon DEQ since 2016, has abruptly resigned.
Hundreds of people rallied in downtown Portland for a call to address the state’s drug addiction crisis. The statewide coalition Oregon Recovers put on the event.
At least 40 people were injured or developed illness due to the Cedar Creek fire. The fire has been burning for nearly two months.
Thank you for reading.
Tips? Feedback? Ideas? Corrections? We want to hear from you! Email benjaminwbowman@gmail.com.
If you value this newsletter, please become a paying subscriber today. Your support will help us grow and offer more opportunities to this community. It’s just $10 a month!
Interested in advertising with us? Get in touch!
About the Authors
Ben Bowman is the chair of the Tigard-Tualatin School Board and the Democratic nominee for Oregon House District 25 (Tigard and Beaverton). In his day job, he works for the Oregon Department of Education. 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. He also co-hosts The Oregon Bridge podcast.