The Way: Kulla on BOLI, Wolf on Housing, Rep. Nosse on the leg session

PLUS a new cartoon.

My time as editor of the Way has come to an end. I am off to clerk for Chief Justice Mike McGrath of the Montana Supreme Court and, subsequently, Judge Michael McShane of the Oregon U.S. District Court. I won’t speculate about where the world will take me after those experiences. I know that I’ll continue to pursue opportunities and experiences that equip me to make lasting change. 

Thank you to the Oregonians who have spent countless hours on this project. I’d like to specifically thank Tim Nesbitt, Karmen Fore, Bill Bradbury, and Jim Moore. They responded to my early emails about this project and said: “We’re in. Go for it.” Their initial support was the battery power that kept this Tesla moving. Thanks also to the entire editorial team, including Mark Hester, Kristina Edmunson, Ginger Savage, Bennett Minton, Dr. Dave Drotzmann, and many more.

That small group has blossomed into a community of believers in the viability of a better Oregon. Four contributors became sixteen, then sixty, then even more. Twenty subscribers soared to 200, then 2,000, and more are on their way. An opinion blog became a media group, with a podcast and newsletter. 

The lesson of the Way is that you can’t wait for our democracy to improve — you have to engage, you have to participate, you have to confront the individuals and organizations trying to maintain an inadequate status quo. Politics won’t improve if it’s a hobby. We’ll only make progress if we work hard — together — to restore our civic culture. 

This project is proof of the importance of refusing to sit on the sidelines. Our media coverage of politics won’t change until we start writing new stories — motivated by our aspirations, not advertisers. Our parties will persist in focusing on winning votes over making progress until we hold elected officials accountable — diminishing the value of donors and amplifying the voices of average joes and janes. Our elected officials will pay more attention to Twitter than town halls until they know that community members are using means other than social media to pay attention — paying attention to resources like the Way. 

As our community grows, our message to Oregonians — voters and elected officials alike — becomes clearer and louder. We’re done being passive participants in our democracy. We’re ready to submit opinion pieces, to engage with the other side, and to learn from one another. 

Oregonians deserve deliberate, thoughtful commentary on the news of the day. They deserve nuanced takes on visions for the future of the state. They deserve leaders who explain their policies in clear terms, free of partisan bullshit. 

The Way has provided and will continue to provide pieces that do that and more. We’ve introduced new voices to a statewide conversation. We’ve analyzed Oregon’s egregious past and we’ve mapped out ideas for Oregon’s future. We’ll continue to see how we can move Oregon toward a better future. 

A team of volunteer editors will guide the Way into a (at least temporarily) Frazier-less future. They’ve been trying and they’re more than ready to fill my shoes. You may notice a slight decrease in the number of posts over the coming weeks as this team gets up to speed. Thanks for your patience.

Please consider getting more involved. If you want to join this team, leave a comment! If you want to contribute to the Way, send your pitch to theway@or360.org. If you want to provide me with any feedback, reach out at kfraz@berkeley.edu

Here’s to a better Oregon,

Kevin

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To look forward to:

• Our #GovernorGoals series. Learn more about how you can help shape the future of our state here.

• Bennett Minton explores how the Mortgage Interest Deduction benefits certain Oregonians more than others.

• Patrick Starnes, candidate for governor, discusses excessive and undemocratic barriers to participation in debates.

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To interpret:

From Jenn Schuberth and John Urang.

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To read:

• Aaron Pina encourages the next governor to directly address Oregon’s racist past to help create a better, more inclusive future.

  • Read more here.

• Rep. Nosse looks back on the recently ended legislative session. Don’t miss his summary of where the legislature succeeded and fell short.

  • Read more here.

• Greg Wolf discusses a collaborative effort to build affordable housing. This important work is an example of the good that’s possible when folks work together.

  • Read more here.

• Casey Kulla provides background information on the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI). Check out this informative piece.

  • Read more here.

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To do:

• Read the latest version of the Liftoff

• Share The Oregon Way with three friends

• Join our editorial team or nominate someone to join

• Tell us how we can improve!

Photo credit: "Willow Creek Hot Spring" by Ben Amstutz is licensed under