Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declares war against the incoming administration of President Trump. She meets with her new Democrat cabinet, including Secretary of State-elect Tobias Read, Attorney General-elect Dan Rayfield, Treasurer-elect Elizabeth Steiner, Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson, House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-Eugene), and Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego), behind closed doors to discuss battle strategies.

Kotek’s office responded to OPB that the meetings are “focused on getting Oregon officials on the same page. They discussed the distinct role of each of their respective offices in affirming Oregon values, ensuring a functioning democracy, and delivering results for Oregonians,” Kotek spokesperson Elisabeth Shepard told OPB in an email. “In addition, they identified points of contact within each office for ongoing, deliberate coordination and information sharing as the incoming federal administration takes shape in the new year.”

There is no hidden agenda that Democrat leadership isn’t just proclaiming war against the Trump administration. The 2025 legislative session is shaping up to exercising their control and power over Oregon citizens. How far can they go legally?

In Section 13 of the Oregon Constitution, it is stated that the Governor shall transact all necessary business with the officers of government, which implies a responsibility to work for the benefit of all Oregonians and not just the Democrat agenda.

It is also worth noting that the Oregon Constitution’s Bill of Rights, as outlined in Article 1, emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights and freedoms of all individuals in the state, which could be seen as related to the Governor’s duty to represent all Oregonians.

While the Oregon Constitution does not directly address the Governor’s duty to represent all Oregonians, it is implicit in the Governor’s role as the chief executive of the state that they should work to serve the interests of all citizens. The constitution’s emphasis on the Governor’s responsibility to transact business with government officers and make informed decisions suggests a commitment to representing the state and its people.

The Oregon Secretary of State is a constitutional officer who plays a crucial role in the state’s government, with duties that include representing all Oregonians. According to the Oregon Constitution, the Secretary of State’s responsibilities include tasks that benefit the entire state. The Secretary of State is also first in line to succeed the Governor and may be called upon to represent the state.

Likewise, the Attorney General’s primary responsibility in Oregon Statutes Chapter 180 is to uphold the law and protect the rights of Oregon citizens, which inherently involves serving the interests of all Oregonians.

In Oregon, there have been proposals to amend the state’s Constitution to include protections for abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender-affirming care that have not materialized. It was proposed to repeal language defining marriage as being between one man and one woman, which has been in Oregon’s Constitution since 2004 but has not been in effect since a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional in 2014. While Oregon polls strongly supported same-sex marriage initially, in more recent polls, some have shifted to nearly 50-50.

OPB predicts the meeting to include “The possibilities for a shakeup to Oregon policies under a second Trump administration are hard to overstate. While officials say it’s tough to predict what he will actually pursue, Trump has talked about kickstarting mass deportations and enacting tariffs that could pose challenges to the state’s economy; pulling back federal payments to help states transition to clean energy; ending vote by mail; and withholding money from cities and states that, like Oregon, have sanctuary laws preventing local officials from working with immigration enforcement agents.”

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Top officials say they are in a wait-and-see mode, and pretend it’s for how to work with the Trump administration. Consider their fear of mass deportations. President Trump has made it clear that criminal elements will be deported, and others will be given a path for citizenship. Protecting criminals with a sanctuary state law has put Oregonians at risk. The Governor’s budget proposal reveals her intent to challenge the Trump administration by proposing a $1 million a year boost in the AG’s budget. It seems like a useless expenditure that holds no accountability. Ending clean energy policies and voting by mail can only benefit Oregonians and make Oregon more business friendly.

It is essential to note that the relationship between the federal government and states is shaped by the US Constitution, and the Oregon Constitution needs to be considered in the context of this broader framework. Spreading fear using democracy is mal-information since the US is a Constitution Republic. What that means is we are not mob ruled by the Democrat’s majority, and constitutionally, leaders must rule for the good of all under a representative government.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-01-04 15:11:24

Last Update: 2025-01-05 00:37:04