The Way: School districts are systemically violating some students' civil rights, and low legislator pay's real costs
Guest essays from Senator Sara Gelser Blouin and Representative Rachel Prusak. PLUS, Mark Hass's essay, Portland's Youth Conservation Crew, and solar panels on farms may lessen water use.
This Week on The Oregon Way
1. Oregon’s school districts are violating the rights of students with disabilities
Senator Sara Gelser Blouin, Senate District 8
Problem: Recent reports from the state reveal that dozens of school districts across Oregon are illegally denying their students with disabilities full school days. At the same time, the Oregon Department of Education has limited ability to enforce state law.
Why You Should Read This: Senator Gelser Blouin was the chief sponsor of the 2017 bill prohibiting the use of shortened school days. The senator, whose son with disabilities graduated from Oregon’s public school system in 2014, has long advocated for these students. No other voice matters more on this issue in the Oregon legislature than hers.
—> Want some more context? I suggest reading The Oregonian’s reporting from earlier this month and Oregon Capital Chronicle’s from June.
2. Oregon’s unlivable legislator salary makes it unfeasible for most Oregonians to run for office
Representative Rachel Prusak, House District 37
Problem: Oregon has a part-time legislature with part-time pay, but as Representative Prusak writes this week, a legislator’s job has full-time demands. In February, Representatives Prusak, Williams, and Power announced that they would not seek re-election, citing the job’s low-pay and growing demands.
Why You Should Read This: The legislature failed to pass a salary increase in this year’s session. Representative Prusak explains why she chose to leave a job that she loves, the true costs of low legislator pay, and the potential that a relatively small investment might make for the state.
—> Want Some More Context? OPB covered Prusak, Williams, and Power’s announcement back in February.
Call Back
In February, former legislator Mark Hass advocated on behalf of Oregon’s part-time legislature system. If you read Representative Prusak’s essay, Hass represents the other side of the debate.
Other Noteworthy Ideas
1. Senate Bill 577 created a Bias Response Hotline, which victims of bias or hate crimes can call to report an incident, consult with staff, and receive a referral to law enforcement. This column offers a few ideas on how it could be improved. (Randy Stapilus | Oregon Capital Chronicle)
2. Inflation will have downstream effects on public programs. (Tim Nesbitt | Oregon Capital Chronicle)
3. Portland Parks and Recreation is hiring high school students to maintain its trails, plant trees, and care for city parks. These students are a part of the city’s Youth Conservation Crew. (Brian Burk | Willamette Week)
4. Here are the criticisms of how Multnomah County is distributing drug treatment funding from Measure 110. (Nigel Jaquiss | Willamette Week)
5. OSU’s test farm shows that solar panels may reduce farmers’ high water demands. (Jes Burns | OPB)
6. Here’s episode two of OPB’s “Growing Oregon” series, which looks at the history and effects of Oregon land use regulations. Part one is worth a listen as well. (Jeff Mapes | OPB)
7. Oregon is among the top five states for homelessness per capita, a fact that is hard to miss in Tuesday’s episode of the “Ezra Klein Show” from the New York Times. He speaks to Jenny Schuetz, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, about the causes of America’s housing crisis and why the most liberal states suffer the worst.
To Do
Read this week’s edition of the Liftoff! Alex and Ben cover —
National Republicans’ are optimistic that they can make gains in the Oregon state senate (despite structural disadvantages);
Some of #TimberUnity’s founders are accusing Rep. Julie Parrish of “hijacking” their movement;
Biden has nominated Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson, who would be Oregon’s first Black female federal judge, to serve on the federal bench;
And much more!
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Listen (or watch!) the latest episode of our podcast, the Oregon Bridge. Alex and Ben discuss the top five political stories you should be aware of as election season starts ramping up. They touch on everything from fundraising numbers and competitive congressional seats to a new ballot initiative on guns and drama in the Portland sports scene.
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