The Liftoff: The legislature's top focus in 2023
PLUS: Jo Ann Hardesty's legacy; Nigel Jaquiss tells a shocking story; the biggest stories of 2022; Kate Brown reshapes the bench; a landmark Oregon Supreme Court decision; and more!
Welcome back to The Liftoff! And Happy New Year! Whether you were with us all of 2022, or you’re a new subscriber—thanks for reading and supporting our work.
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1. The legislature’s top focus in 2023? Housing.
House Majority Leader Julie Fahey told the Capital Chronicle that housing will be the top focus of the 2023 legislative session. Here’s a quote from Fahey in the article:
“We have invested record amounts of funding in the construction and preservation of affordable housing, and those units are starting to come online from the investments that we’ve made, which is really exciting to see. But it just isn’t enough.”
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has some asks for the state legislature. According to WW: “Requests to lawmakers include $26 million for Portland’s homelessness relief efforts, funneling additional funds toward the state’s police training capacity, legislation that would ‘provide pay parity’ to public defenders, and additional funds for affordable housing construction.”
2. The biggest stories of 2022
The Oregonian released their top 10 most-read stories of 2022. Number one on the list? The article calling the gubernatorial race for Gov.-Elect Tina Kotek.
Willamette Week released their own top 10 list. The two most popular political stories on the list were about Betsy Johnson (covering the time she crashed into a motorist) and Stan Pulliam (about his admission that he and his wife “explored mutual relationships”).
OPB took a different approach and shared “Oregon stories that brought us joy in 2022”
3. Nigel Jaquiss joins The Bridge and tells the most shocking story in modern Oregon political history
Nigel Jaquiss is one of the top political reporters in Oregon. He has helped the Willamette Week, an alternative newspaper, punch above its weight class in breaking multiple major political stories over the last 25 years. Before entering journalism, Nigel worked as a crude oil trader on Wall Street—in this episode he talks about why he made a significant career change, his view on the role of journalism in politics, and how his role at WW has changed over time.
We also talk about the story that won him the Pulitzer Prize in 2005: one of the most shocking stories in modern Oregon political history. Nigel broke the news of former Governor Neil Goldschmidt's repeated sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in a dramatic, horrifying story called "The 30-Year Secret". Our younger listeners are likely not familiar with this story, so we asked Nigel to re-tell it and explain its significance for a younger audience. Our older listeners may have forgotten some of the jaw-dropping details.
There is no contemporary equivalent in Oregon politics to Neil Goldschmidt in power or stature. He was the mayor of Portland, a cabinet secretary in the Carter Administration, and a popular governor. Even after he left office, he wielded tremendous political power, as Nigel describes in the podcast. Exposing his sexual abuse rocked the political world and changed Oregon politics forever.
In this episode, we do not cover the woman who was raped by Goldschmidt as a young teenager, Elizabeth Lynn Dunham. Dunham's name was withheld by WW until she died in 2011. To learn about who she was and the troubled, heartbreaking life she lived—and the lifelong impact of Goldschmidt's abuse—we recommend you read her obituary (also by Jaquiss).
4. Sponsored Message from Harrang Long Gary Rudnick: Legislature to Consider Changes to Public Records Law
This message is from our sponsor, Harrang Long Gary Rudnick P.C.
The Public Records Advisory Council has proposed substantial changes to Oregon’s public records statutes for consideration by the Legislative Assembly during its upcoming session. The proposal includes changes to the fees that may be charged by public bodies for satisfying public records requests and the circumstances in which fees should be waived or reduced. To learn about Harrang Long Gary Rudnick P.C.’s deep experience representing clients in public records matters and other topics at the intersection of law and public policy, visit our website at harrang.com.
5. Big stories to watch as the new year begins
From OPB: “Oregon Supreme Court finds hundreds convicted by nonunanimous juries deserve new trial”
Gov. Kate Brown appointed two new Supreme Court judges; WW describes the totality of her appointments as “reshaping of the Oregon bench”.
Here’s an eye-catching excerpt from a recent report from outgoing Washington County Auditor John Hutzler: “The evidence strongly suggests that the only two county officials hired directly by the Board of Commissioners (the county’s attorney and the county’s administrator) engaged in a cover-up of an Ethics Matters allegation against a sitting commissioner.” Pamplin has the full story—but the commissioner is not named.
Here’s an excerpt from a devastating article from OPB about the state of LGBTQ+ mental health: “In Oregon, 44% of LGBTQ youth surveyed have ‘seriously considered’ suicide in the past year.” 59% wanted access to mental health care but couldn’t get it.
A Newberg city councilor has received death threats for filing a police report about a secretly recorded conversation
6. The Way: Conkling on under-the-radar policy issues; Hester on how Kotek might govern
Check out the most recent columns from our fantastic Oregon Way contributors Gary Conkling and Mark Hester. Both columns highlight issues that while not as appealing on the campaign trail, are important for the health of the state and a functioning civic culture. Conkling highlights high school drop outs, angry young males, and the transforming workplace while Hester focuses on transportation, budgets, and healthcare. Give both of these informative columns a read!
7. Jo Ann Hardesty’s legacy (and other Portland news)
Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty is almost out of office after a tumultuous term. Read The O’s retrospective on her time in office, including quotes from Ted Wheeler, Rukaiyah Adams, and Hardesy herself.
WW has a fascinating article that compares Portland to eight other similarly sized cities on a variety of measures (taxes, wages, homelessness, abortion access, fentanyl deaths, air quality, and more). It’s worth your time. One fascinating juxtaposition:
Portland has the lowest residential vacancy rate, at 1.8%
At the same time, Portland has the highest office vacancy rate, at 20.8%
In related news (but not specific to Portland), Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland) has two legislative proposals that would “ease the financial and regulatory burden for developers looking to convert commercial and industrial buildings or land to housing for middle-income earners,” according to WW.
From Willamette Week: “The Portland Police Bureau counts 33 pedestrian deaths so far this year. That’s the most since 1948.”
8. News Roundup: A frozen bank account, a retirement, and the Holiday Bowl
Brown Hope’s bank account has been frozen after the bank requested “an official letter from the nonprofit’s legal representation to clarify who the current CEO of the organization is in light of recent upheaval at the nonprofit.”
Jamie Goldberg and Hillary Borrud have everything you need to know about Oregon’s new paid leave program for The O.
Veteran Oregon journalist Jim Redden announced his retirement after 35 years. Redden penned a final piece reflecting on his career and the state of Portland and journalism.
Sam Temple has an interesting profile in the News Review on Hastings Village, an innovative transition camp for homeless individuals and families seeking housing. The project will soon go into its second phase thanks to new grant money.
Sports! The Oregon Ducks narrowly defeated the University of North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl.
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.