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On this day, September 30, 1961, A bill for the 1773 Boston Tea Party was paid by Mayor Snyder of Oregon. He wrote a check for $196, the total cost of all tea lost.




Post an Event


Big Top Vancouver Gun Sale
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 10:00 am
Big Top Vancouver Gun Sale Sep 30th – Oct 1st
Clark County Event Center Ridgefield, WA



Get Ready Clatsop County
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00 am
Get Ready Clatsop County
11AM-2PM
Warrenton, Oregon



WLN Training: Building a Campaign Team
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 12:00 pm
WLN Training: Building a Campaign Team It is never too early and never too late to put together a campaign team! Whether you are preparing for a long campaign or are at the end of a campaign putting together a Get Out The Vote (GOVT) effort, building a campaign team will help you to do all of the things you need to do for success! Learn how to build a strong campaign team at our next free Zoom session this Saturday, September 30th at NOON (Pacific Time).
Online



Oregon Open Jiu Jitsu Championship
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Oregon Open Jiu Jitsu Championship September 30 - October 1
Salem, Oregon



Seven Sundays in Salem - Jericho March
Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 3:00 pm
An organic Jericho March around the State Capitol block to peacefully protest the legislation coming from that building and to demand changes to our election system to ensure it is honest and transparent. 3-4:30pm - on 10/1 and culminating with a final march on 10/15. (Joshua 6:2-5)
South entrance to the State Capitol, Salem



Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici St. Helens Town Hall
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici St. Helens Town Hall
St. Helens Sr. Center 375 S 15th St, St Helens, OR



Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Hillsboro Town Hall
Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Hillsboro Town Hall
Evergreen Middle School 456 NE Evergreen Rd, Hillsboro, OR



Rock the Locks Annual Music Festival
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 10:00 am
Rock the Locks Annual Music Festival October 6th – 8th
Rock the Locks Entrance Address. 83606 Bud Draper Road, Umatilla Oregon



Portland Greek Festival
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 11:00 am
Portland Greek Festival October 6th-8th
Portland, Oregon



Representative Nathan Sosa (Democrat) HD 30 Constituent Coffee
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 9:00 am
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Insomnia Coffee, Baseline 5389 E Main Street Hillsboro, Oregon



McMinnville Scottish Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:00 am
McMinnville Scottish Festival October 7th-8th
Yamhill County Fairgrounds 2070 NE Lafayette Ave McMinnville, OR



Talent Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:00 am
Talent Harvest Festival October 7th, 2023. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
Downtown Talent, Oregon



Congresswoman Andrea Salinas Town Hall
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:30 am
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas Town Hall 10:30AM-2:PM
PCUN Union Headquarters 300 Young St. Woodburn, Oregon



Meadowlark Comic Con
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 am
Meadowlark Comic Con October 7th, 2023
Josephine County Fairgrounds Grants Pass, OR ​



Community Conversation with Senator Janeen Sollman (Democrat- District 15)
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 am
11AM-12PM
Shute Park Library 775 SE 10th Ave Hillsboro, Oregon



Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Seaside Town Hall
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 am
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Seaside Town Hall
Bob Chisholm Community Center 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, OR



Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Tillamook Town Hall
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Tillamook Town Hall
Tillamook Bay Community College 4301 Third Street Tillamook, OR



Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Portland Town Hall
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Portland Town Hall
Lincoln High School 1750 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR



SEDCOR Economic Educational Forum ft. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 12:00 pm
SEDCOR Economic Educational Forum ft. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas Non-Member: Individual Ticket-$50
Keizer Community Center 930 Chemawa Rd NE, Keizer, OR



98th Annual League of Oregon Cities Conference
Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 1:00 pm
98th Annual League of Oregon Cities Conference October 12-14
Eugene, Oregon



Marion County Republican Party Monthly Central Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Marion County Republican Party Monthly Central Committee Meeting
VFW Hall Salem, OR



Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10:00 am
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest October 13-15th
Hood River, Oregon



Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 9:00 am
Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival
October 14th-15th
Albany, OR



Seven Sundays in Salem - Jericho March
Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 3:00 pm
An organic Jericho March around the State Capitol block to peacefully protest the legislation coming from that building and to demand changes to our election system to ensure it is honest and transparent. 3-4:30pm - final march on 10/15. (Joshua 6:2-5)
South entrance to the State Capitol, Salem



Senator Lynn Findley Madras Town Hall
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Senator Lynn Findley Madras Town Hall
Jefferson County Public Health-Community Room 500 NE A St. Suite 102 Madras, OR



Representative Susan McLain (Democrat) Constituent Coffee
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 1:30 pm
House District 29 (Western Washington County)
BJs Coffee 2834 Pacific Ave C Forest Grove, OR



Senator Lynn Findley Prineville Town Hall
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Senator Lynn Findley Prineville Town Hall
Crook County Fairgrounds- Grizzly Mountain Pavilion 1280 S. Main St. Prineville, OR



ORP Platform Convention
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
ORP Platform Convention October 19th-21st
Pendleton, Oregon



Wasco County GOP 2023 Beef and Burgundy Dinner and Auction
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Wasco County GOP 2023 Beef and Burgundy Dinner and Auction
The Dalles, Oregon



Representative Susan McLain (Democrat) Constituent Coffee
Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 10:00 am
House District 29 (Western Washington County)
Grand Central Bakery Picnic Tables 118 SE 2nd Ave. Hillsboro, OR



Oregon Democrat Legislator Joint Town Hall Event
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Senator Elizabeth Steiner (D-Portland), Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Portland), Representative Lisa Reynolds (D-Portland)
Cedar Mill Library 1080 NW Saltzman Rd Portland, OR



Vision Oregon Event
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Vision Oregon Event
October 25th
Portland, OR



Wes Knodel Guns Show
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 10:00 am
Wes Knodel Guns Show October 28th-29th
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center 3800 SE Airport Way Redmond, OR



Douglas County GOP Trump Reagan Dinner and Auction
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Douglas County GOP Trump Reagan Dinner and Auction
Roseburg, OR



Baker County Republican Women Evening with Myron Ebell
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Baker County Republican Women Evening with Myron Ebell $20
Baker City, OR



Halloween
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 12:00 am
Halloween
Happy Halloween



League of Minority Voters: Liberty and Hope Awards Gala
Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 5:30 pm
League of Minority Voters: Liberty and Hope Awards Gala
Portland, OR



Stormy Weather Arts Festival
Friday, November 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Stormy Weather Arts Festival November 3-5
Cannon Beach, Oregon



Wes Knodel Guns Show
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 am
Wes Knodel Guns Show November 4th-5th
Linn County Expo Center 3700 Knox Butte Rd E Albany, Oregon



Clackamas County Republican Party’s Roaring 20’s Fall Gala
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Clackamas County Republican Party’s Roaring 20’s Fall Gala
Oregon City, OR



Oregon Legislative Committee Days
Monday, November 6, 2023 at 8:00 am
Oregon Legislative Committee Days November 6th-8th
Salem, Oregon



Oregon Regular Municipal Elections
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Oregon Regular Municipal Elections
Oregon



Yachats Celtic Music Festival
Friday, November 10, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Yachats Celtic Music Festival
Nov 10, 11, & 12th
Yachats, OR



Veteran's Day Parade
Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am
Veteran's Day Parade
Downtown Albany, Oregon



Veteran's Day
Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Veteran's Day
USA



Willamette Valley Ag Expo
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 9:00 am
Willamette Valley Ag Expo
November 14th-16th
Albany, OR



ShowBiz Salem Holiday Expo
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm
ShowBiz Salem Holiday Expo November 18th-19th
Oregon State Fairgrounds 2330 17th St NE Salem, OR



Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 8:00 am
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving Oregon



Civil War Oregon State vs. Oregon Football Game
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Civil War- Oregon State Beavers vs. Oregon Ducks Football Game
Autzen Stadium Eugene, OR



Christmas Ships
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Christmas Ships
Oregon Riverways



Canby Gun & Knife Show
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:00 am
Canby Gun & Knife Show Dec 2nd – 3rd
Clackamas County Fairgrounds 694 NE 4th Ave Canby, OR



Sportsmans Outdoor and Shooting Expo
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:00 am
Sportsmans Outdoor and Shooting Expo Dec 2nd – 3rd
Columbia County Fairgrounds 58892 Saulser Road St Helens, OR



Christmas Storybook Land
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:30 am
Christmas Storybook Land

December 2 – 16
Linn County Fairgrounds Inside the Cascade Livestock Building 3700 Knox Butte Rd Albany, OR 97322



Wes Knodel Gun Show
Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 am
Wes Knodel Guns Show
December 9th-10th
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center 3800 SW Airport Wy Redmond, Oregon



Christmas Day
Monday, December 25, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Christmas Day
Merry Christmas Oregon



New Year's Day
Monday, January 1, 2024 at 12:00 am
New Year's Day
Oregon



Oregon Legislative Committee Days
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 8:00 am
Oregon Legislative Committee Days January 10th-12th
Salem, Oregon



WLN's Fourteenth Annual "TAKE THE OFFENSIVE!" Leadership and Activist Training Conference
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 9:00 am
"TAKE THE OFFENSIVE!" Leadership and Activist Training Conference
Portland, Oregon



Oregon 2024 Legislative Short Session
Monday, February 5, 2024 at 8:00 am
Oregon 2024 Legislative Short Session February 5th-March 11th, 2024
Salem, OR



Oregon March for Life
Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 9:00 am
Oregon March for Life
Salem, OR



Portland International Auto Show
Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 10:00 am
Portland International Auto Show February 22nd-25th
Portland, OR



Oregon Festivals & Events Association Annual Conference
Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 10:00 am
Oregon Festivals & Events Association Annual Conference
February 29 - March 2, 2024
Seaside, OR



ORTL Together We Advocate Conference
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 8:00 am
ORTL Together We Advocate Conference
Tualatin, OR



Last day for major party or nonpartisan candidate to file declaration of candidacy or nominating petition.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Last day for major party or nonpartisan candidate to file declaration of candidacy or nominating petition
Oregon


View All Calendar Events


Masks No Longer to be Required in Oregon
Date changed again, to March 11

With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon, and Washington are moving together to again update their masking guidance.

After 11:59 p.m. on March 11, California, Oregon, and Washington will be adopting new indoor mask policies and moving from mask requirements to mask recommendations in schools.

State policies do not change federal requirements, which still include masks on public transit.

“Two years ago today, we identified Oregon’s first case of COVID-19," said the Governor Kate Brown. "As has been made clear time and again over the last two years, COVID-19 does not stop at state borders or county lines. On the West Coast, our communities and economies are linked. Together, as we continue to recover from the Omicron surge, we will build resiliency and prepare for the next variant and the next pandemic. As we learn to live with this virus, we must remain vigilant to protect each other and prevent disruption to our schools, businesses, and communities––with a focus on protecting our most vulnerable and the people and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

In Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority rules requiring masks in indoor public places and schools will be lifted after 11:59 p.m. on March 11.

In California starting March 1, masks will no longer be required.

However, the division continues, as masks will be recommended for unvaccinated individuals in most indoor settings.

After March 11, in schools and child care facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended.

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

Masks will still be required for everyone in high transmission settings like public transit, emergency shelters, healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities. As always, local jurisdictions may have additional requirements beyond the state guidance.

“We’ve continued to monitor data from our state Department of Health, and have determined we are able to adjust the timing of our statewide mask requirement," stated Washington Governor Jay Inslee. "While this represents another step forward for Washingtonians, we will continue to move forward together carefully and cautiously.”

In Washington, indoor mask requirements will be lifted as of 11:59 p.m. on March 11. The Washington State Department of Health will be issuing new guidance for K-12 schools next week so schools can prepare to implement updated safety protocols.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-28 13:06:56Last Update: 2022-02-28 13:26:28



Marc Thielman Targeted By Media
Does Oregon media have an agenda?

Mid-Valley Media has trouble keeping their political bias out of their news articles.

They have run a series of articles against gubernatorial candidate Marc Thielman, taking readers down a path of innuendos and suggestions that aren’t factual, and made sure readers know Oregon is a very-blue Democrat state.

They paint Marc Thielman, former Alsea School District Superintendent as ruthless, accusing him of playing theatrics by keeping Alsea school district open allowing students to legally unmask using CDC guidelines and the Oregon and U.S. Constitution.

Mid-Valley Media states Thielman’s resignation was justice for his unmasking stance and suggests it put the district at risk despite his district having no COVID cases traced back to the school as a source. This was an eye-opener to parents and other districts followed his lead.

Thielman’s decision to resign as Superintendent of Alsea was based on not being able to give 100 percent to being superintendent while in the midst of a gubernatorial campaign. He has always had support from the school board and staff in the 11 years he has been Alsea superintendent. The school board’s decision to keep schools open while others were closing didn’t sit well with a few employees who felt threatened by not enforcing the mandates. One employee had health issues and chose a severance package to honor her many years of service, but has now changed her mind with her complaint. Meanwhile, Alsea was able to keep their whole staff because Thielman accepted religious and medical exemptions in support of personal medical freedom.

Thielman had one focus in mind when he kept his schools open during the 2020-2021 school year, and that was to educate kids. The penalty for ignoring mandates was withholding of $275,000 of ESSR III federal funds to deal with COVID shortages and closure. They were not state school funds. His district grew 500 percent during this time, which brought in more sustainable tax revenue than the ESSR III funds. Unused amounts of ESSR funds will expire.

Alsea has two online high school programs. One is credit recovery and the online graduation rates are lower than inhouse. Last year’s inhouse graduation rate was 90 percent, above the state rate of 80.6 percent. Oregon Department of Education doesn’t allow Alsea to separate it's data by the two programs, so it lists a lower rate, where larger districts will create an alternative school to push their failing students into so they can report an inflated rate.

The editorials on Thielman typifies the media’s war on families and personal liberties that Marc Thielman and others are fighting against. Thielman was criticized for showing parents how to apply for a medical exemption, but they didn’t say it was for 504 and IEP qualified disabled students.

He was on national news discussing how his own disabled daughter struggled with masking.

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

Mid-Valley Media dug up an Elvis impersonation video over 12 years ago when Yoncalla raised a complaint from a disgruntled employee who had been fired for mismanagement of school funds. Another administrator was to be the Elvis figure for a school assembly, but he got sick, and Thielman being who he is as a servant leader, stepped in and wore the Elvis outfit that was too small for him. Two entities investigated and found the complaint didn’t have merit.

Parents want a governor that will put education back under local control and fight for their constitutional rights. It will take a strong person to sort through the quagmire left from the pandemic.

Parents, guardians, and the public have come to realize there has been an erosion of parental rights, graduation standards, and educational options within the public sector.

Thielman is only the first target of the media. The question is, how much will we allow the media to influence our choice.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-28 12:50:32Last Update: 2022-02-28 13:54:02



Angela Plowhead Endorsed by River Church Pastor
“She stands up for liberty and freedom”

Oregon congressional candidate Dr. Angela Plowhead has been endorsed by Pastor Lew Wootan from the River Church, of Salem, Oregon. Dr. Plowhead is a constitutional conservative running for Oregon's new congressional district 6 (CD6).

"My wife and I are endorsing Angela Plowhead," said Pastor Lew Wootan. "Yeah, we're endorsing her. She believes in what we're doing, we believe in what she's doing, and not only that, the reason that I'm endorsing her is for a couple reasons. First, she stands up for Liberty and Freedom. And secondly, she wants to correct things that are wrong."

Pastor Lew continued, "Beyond that - the biggest reason I support her is because she's teachable. She's been a friend, she has stood up with us when other people were criticizing us. She stood up and has been there with us."

Dr. Plowhead responded to the endorsement, "Every American has the right to freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion. The constitution is very clear that there can be no law established against these things. I will stand for and with anyone whose rights are being impeded. That is why I’m am standing with Pastors Lew and Lorri Wootan, who have stood for the constitutional freedom of their congregation from the beginning. At the age of 19, I vowed to defend the constitution, that vow did not end when I left military services. It is integral to who I am. Standing up for what is right should not be a choice but an obligation we demand of every politician who represents this nation."

Pastor Lew believes that Angela is principled but willing to listen to other views. He says, “You can't be so rigid that you end up full of pride and surrounded by people who are butt-kissers. That will end up hurting you. And hurting who you represent. And you have to have people that when you correct them and you speak to them in a way that can be corrected - that they'll listen, and they'll take it to council, and they'll do something different if it needs to be done. And that's been Angela. She's been a friend, she has stood up with us when other people were criticizing us. She stood up and has been there with us."

The River Church is outspoken on civics issues, particularly the role of government in American lives.

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

They have a code of conduct which states the church's stance on such issues as how all Americans have God-given rights as described in the Bill of Rights of our State and US Constitutions, and as a Constitutional Republic we have elected governments to protect those rights.

They also do not support violence, especially against individuals and government officials, and they do not support or approve racism or extremism. They believe that American rights of freedom of speech and press, as recognized by our State and US Constitutions, protect every American’s ability to share truth about the violations of our rights and learn how to preserve our God-given rights and restore liberty.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-27 11:44:58Last Update: 2022-02-27 21:14:39



Democrats Say No on Reducing Cost on Prescriptions
Oregonians will continue to pay more for basics

Amid runaway inflation, Oregon Democrats are bringing multiple spending packages out of Ways and Means, and the Senate Republicans voted to cut taxes on prescription drugs and items necessary for Oregon families.

Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale) made a motion to withdraw SB 1507 from the Finance & Revenue Committee, where the bill has been blocked by majority Democrats this session.

The bill would exempt prescription drugs, diapers, baby formula, and feminine hygiene products from the corporate activities tax. Democrats don't seem to want that to happen.

The effort was blocked by Democrats along a party-line vote, 8-16. Senator Rachel Armitage​ (D-Scappoose), Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), Senator Lew Frederick (D-Portland), Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Corvallis), Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Portland), Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland), Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence (D-Portland), Senator Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton), Senator James I. Manning Jr. (D-Eugene), Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem), Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), Representative Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro), Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-Portland), Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland), and Senator Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) all voted no to this exemption that would lead to lower prices for Oregonians. Observers say that the Democrats may want to retain this revenue in order to fund pet projects.

They instead are moving forward a more narrow provision in SB 1524 that would reaffirm taxes on most Oregonians’ prescription drugs, by only exempting those with nine or fewer locations.

“Most Oregonians don’t realize we have a sales tax here in Oregon,” Senator Findley said. “They don’t think they are paying a sales tax when they buy their prescriptions, diapers, or baby formula. Make no mistake, the hidden sales tax of 2019 is costing Oregonians more and putting pharmacies out of business.

“Some will pat themselves on the back for voting for SB 1524 which picked only select pharmacies to exempt from these taxes. It doesn’t go far enough and reaffirms taxes on the majority of Oregonians' prescription drugs. I don’t want anyone paying taxes on these items. We need to make health care more affordable and accessible, and SB 1507 would have been a more comprehensive approach to accomplish that goal.”

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

Provisions within SB 1524 would not have saved Bi-Mart pharmacies from closing. Nor will it reduce the cost of prescriptions purchased at Walgreens, Walmart, or another main supplier.

Without the passage of SB 1507, Oregonians will continue to pay more for basic necessities.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-27 09:24:35Last Update: 2022-02-27 15:19:25



Senate Republicans Vote to Cut Sales Tax on Necessary Items
“I don’t want anyone paying taxes on these items.”

Amid runaway inflation, Senate Republicans have voted to cut taxes on prescription drugs and items necessary for Oregon families. Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale) made a motion to withdraw SB 1507 from the Finance & Revenue Committee, where the bill has been blocked by majority Democrats this session. The bill would exempt prescription drugs, diapers, baby formula, and feminine hygiene products from the corporate activities tax.

The effort was blocked by Democrats along a party-line vote, 8-16. They instead are moving forward a more narrow provision in SB 1524 that would reaffirm taxes on most Oregonians’ prescription drugs.

“Most Oregonians don’t realize we have a sales tax here in Oregon,” Senator Findley said. “They don’t think they are paying a sales tax when they buy their prescriptions, diapers, or baby formula. Make no mistake, the hidden sales tax of 2019 is costing Oregonians more and putting pharmacies out of business.

“Some will pat themselves on the back for voting for SB 1524 which picked only select pharmacies to exempt from these taxes. It doesn’t go far enough and reaffirms taxes on the majority of Oregonians' prescription drugs. I don’t want anyone paying taxes on these items. We need to make health care more affordable and accessible, and SB 1507 would have been a more comprehensive approach to accomplish that goal.”

Provisions within SB 1524 would not have saved Bi-Mart pharmacies from closing. Without the passage of SB 1507, Oregonians will continue to pay more for basic necessities.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-26 06:08:07Last Update: 2022-02-25 16:56:58



Heard Excluded from Senate Chambers
“This is no longer about health”

Senator Heard Comments on Todays Proceedings Oregon Senate Democrats have voted to exclude Senator Dallas Heard (R-Roseburg) from the chamber floor and State Capitol building for respectfully refusing to wear a mask. In a motion brought forward by the Super Majority Democrats, they silenced over 140,000 Oregonians with a simple majority vote. All Senate Republicans opposed the motion and supported Senator Heard. He released the following statement:

“In a time when virtually no legislative bodies, both foreign and domestic, are requiring masks during speech and debate, Oregon Democrats have seen fit to not only continue to expel the people of Oregon from their House and Senate chambers, but to also silence the voice of opposition through the tyranny of mob rule over the rights of the individual.

“Governor Brown stated the metrics for ‘reopening’ the state would be that 70% of the adults be vaccinated. As of Tuesday, according to OHA’s data over 75% have been vaccinated fully, and over 80% have received at least one dose.

“She had stated that she would remove indoor mask mandates by the end of March or once we reached less than 400 hospitalizations. She has now moved that up to March 19th. For the week of February 13th which is the most recent data from OHA, Oregon was down to 390 hospitalizations. Since then our daily case number has trended down which means we might be well under the 400-person threshold already. Even the CDC is slated to relax their masking recommendations as soon as tomorrow. With moving targets and delayed metrics, who is to say that mask mandates shouldn’t be removed even by the Democrats' own rules.

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

“This goes to show that this is no longer about health. This has never been about protecting citizens. This is a clear demonstration of tyrannical power and it shows how eager the Democrats are to wield it. The people of Senate District 1 will not submit to this government overreach.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-25 21:19:36Last Update: 2022-02-24 21:25:30



CRC May Become Casualty of Transportation Wars
“If the majority party thought we would turn a blind eye they are mistaken”

Several Oregon Republicans are prepared to abandon a bi-state committee currently negotiating the Interstate Bridge Replacement between Oregon and Washington if the Washington Legislature passes a 6-cent tax on Oregonians’ fuel.

“Republicans will not stand by and let Washington raise the cost-of-living for our residents without a fight,” said Senator Lynn P. Findley (R-Vale), a member of the Bi-state committee.

“If the majority party in Washington thought we would turn a blind eye when they force us to pay for their roads, they are mistaken,” added Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), who also serves on the committee. “If this unconstitutional tax passes, then Washington should pay the entire cost of the Interstate Bridge Replacement themselves.”

According to a 2019 audit of the Columbia River Crossing project done by the Oregon Secretary of State, "The Columbia River Crossing, otherwise known as the CRC, was a bi-state megaproject to build a bridge between the cities of Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. The new bridge would have replaced and modernized the existing stretch of Interstate 5 (I-5) that currently connects the two cities across the Columbia River. The two states’ Departments of Transportation formed a joint CRC project team in 2004 to manage this effort.

"The intent of the project was to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase mobility of motorists, freight traffic, transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians in a notoriously congested section of I-5. To finance the effort, the CRC team developed a plan that relied on federal, state, and toll funding. However, after Oregon passed legislation in 2013 to authorize its $450 million share, Washington failed to follow suit. As a result, after nine years of planning and millions of dollars spent, the CRC project was terminated in 2014 without any construction."

Some insiders see the Washington tax proposal as retaliation for Oregon's proposal to toll parts of interstates 5 and 205.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-25 06:17:07Last Update: 2022-02-24 21:19:09



$400 Million Package to Respond to Homelessness Passes
It comes to over $27,000 per homeless person

According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, "as of January 2020, Oregon had an estimated 14,655 experiencing homelessness on any given day, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of that Total, 825 were family households, 1,329 were Veterans, 1,314 were unaccompanied young adults (aged 18-24), and 4,339 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness."

The Oregon Legislature has passed a $400 million package to address immediate needs around homelessness, build on current spending to increase the supply of affordable housing, keep people in affordable homes and prevent displacement. If that money were divided among the 14,655 homeless in Oregon, it would come to over $27,000 per homeless person, in addition to what is already being spent.

“We have heard from Oregonians that they want to see action to address homelessness and housing affordability and solutions that work,” said House Majority Leader Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene/Junction City), who also serves as Chair of the House Committee on Housing. “This funding plan will invest in effective state, local and community-based efforts that will prioritize getting unhoused people on the path out of homelessness.”

“I’m proud of what we accomplished through this package,” said Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “These resources are key to supporting people experiencing houselessness and keeping folks off the street to prevent homelessness, so we can continue to make progress around housing stabilization.”

“I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Legislature for their leadership support in understanding cities’ immediate needs and responding to our request for assistance by bringing forth a comprehensive housing and homeless investment package,” said Mayor Lucy Vinis of Eugene. “We recognize this challenge is multi-faceted, and demands a partnership between cities, counties, service providers, businesses, and community members.”

“Salem is facing a homeless crisis like communities across the state. It is our duty to address this crisis with urgency,” said Representative Paul Evans (D-Monmouth). “Success will depend on coordination between state and local governments, and the flexibility for local communities like Salem to execute a distinct, regional solution. I’m proud to support this multifaceted approach.”

“These pilot programs will create a more equitable, accessible and responsive system by helping our local governments and community partners provide high-level coordination, centralizing communication, and strategic planning and implementation,” said Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend), chief sponsor of the bill.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-25 06:14:46Last Update: 2022-02-24 21:30:23



Governor Brown Lifts Emergency
Or does she?

Many are confused on when the pandemic can be put in the history file and burned. Oregon headlines has an excitement in the air. Indoor mask mandate will be dropped on March 19, but Governor Kate Brown announced that she will be lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 state of emergency on April 1. Why the difference?

Most of the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19 were rescinded on June 30, 2021. In responding to the subsequent Delta and Omicron surges of COVID-19, the Governor for the most part did not use her executive authority to issue new emergency orders. She did take other steps, such as activating the Oregon National Guard to help support hospital workers, and coordinating with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to bring skilled healthcare workers to Oregon to support hospital and long-term care facility staff. Let’s not forget OHA’s temporary masking rules turned permanent just three weeks ago for no good reason except to have that option available for instant access to use against citizens.

Since June 30, 2021, the state of emergency was shifted to an emergency declaration that provided the Governor with flexibility and resources for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, including allowing for the use of SERV-OR volunteer medical providers in hospitals, providing flexibility around professional health licensing, and ensuring Oregon could access all available federal disaster relief funds available, such as enhanced SNAP benefits. To codify that flexibility, SB 1529 is being rushed through by Senator Deb Patterson (D-Salem), chair of the Senate Committee on Health Care.

SB 1529 redefines ‘Health care emergency’ to allow the Public Health Director (OHA) to declare if there exists a disease outbreak, epidemic or other condition of public health importance statewide or in a specified geographic area of this state.

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The Governor made sure to exonerate herself and let us know more restrictions are on the horizon without her declaring a state of emergency. Safety requirements in place today regarding masks, vaccinations for K-12 educators and staff, and vaccinations for healthcare workers do not rely on the state of emergency declaration––instead, they are covered by state or federal agency administrative rules issued under existing non-emergency state or federal authority.

SB 1529 is headed to the House floor for its final vote.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-24 17:39:43Last Update: 2022-02-24 18:14:46



Kate Brown Announces End to COVID Emergency
Will happen on April Fools’ day

Oregon's Governor Kate Brown has announced that she will be lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 emergency declaration, effective April 1.

She says that COVID-19 hospitalizations and case numbers continue to drop rapidly across Oregon as the Omicron variant recedes.

“Over the past six months, as Oregon weathered our worst surges of the pandemic, I’m proud of the way Oregonians have worked together to keep each other safe,” said Governor Brown. “Lifting Oregon’s COVID-19 emergency declaration today does not mean that the pandemic is over, or that COVID-19 is no longer a significant concern. But, as we have shown through the Delta and Omicron surges, as we learn to live with this virus, and with so many Oregonians protected by safe and effective vaccines, we can now protect ourselves, our friends, and our families without invoking the extraordinary emergency authorities that were necessary at the beginning of the pandemic."

“COVID-19 is still present in Oregon, and we must remain vigilant. We must continue to get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks when necessary, and stay home when sick. That is the only way we can achieve our shared goals of saving lives and keeping our schools, businesses, and communities open.”

Some of the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19 were rescinded on June 30, 2021. But excessive restrictions continued.

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Kate Brown says she wanted to ensure Oregon could access all available federal disaster relief funds available, such as enhanced SNAP benefits.

According to Governor Brown, requirements in place currently regarding controversial masks and vaccine mandates for educators, staff and healthcare workers do not rely on the state of emergency declaration––instead, they are covered by state or federal agency administrative rules issued under existing non-emergency state or federal authority.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-24 13:51:39Last Update: 2022-02-24 14:07:53



Mark Johnson Announces Run for Clackamas Commissioner
Longtime resident of Clackamas County

Mark Johnson has announced he is running for Clackamas County Commissioner. He has deep roots in Clackamas County and has lived there most of his life.

Mark was active in Future Farmers of America and student leadership before going on to study agriculture, business and accounting. He is a known chinchilla farmer in the area.

"We need more local control of our forests," said Johnson, commenting on excessive wildfires recently experienced in Oregon. "Active management will keep our county from burning."

Mark says he would be an independent leader, not beholden to any political parties or special interest groups

"I will govern with a sense of principled consistency," said Johnson.

His family has owned multiple local businesses throughout the years, and Mark has helped run them. Those include metal fabrication shops, vineyards and sheep and cattle ranching operations.

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Mark says he is running for commissioner to bring principled and consistent leadership back to Clackamas County. He intends to work with the other commissioners to find solutions to the difficult issues faced by county residents, including transportation and housing.

"I will work to make the county development codes more flexible for anyone wanting to build housing," Johnson said. "We can allow more growth in rural areas without turning them into suburbs."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-02-24 11:17:11Last Update: 2022-02-21 18:05:11



Proposed Alternative Solution to Ag Overtime
Republicans seek compromise

Oregon Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) is submitting an agriculture overtime proposal from agriculture communities to find a unique solution to meet the needs of Oregon’s farm employees and preserves the state’s agricultural sectors.

This plan would offer state money to essential farm employees with a $50 million dollar grant and protects their health and safety.

With this proposal employees would have new overtime earning opportunities while providing farmers and ranchers with flexibility for crop harvests dictated by time and weather.

As Oregonians committed to an Oregon solution, the plan proposes overtime pay at 48 hours and with overtime at 55 hours during a limited period when harvesting is busiest.

Salaried workers, many who need flexibility to care for livestock, could make a base salary exceeding $36,000 in rural counties while earning overtime pay when they work more than 55 hours a week.

“We will continue to ask our colleagues to come to the table for an Oregon solution to overtime,” said Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), a third-generation farmer. “This plan incorporates feedback from the agriculture community and recognizes two critical needs we all value: the health, safety and economic opportunity for our farm workforce; and the fickle nature of our diverse agricultural and rural economies that are heavily dependent on seasons and weather.”

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“A true Oregon solution to agriculture overtime will fulfill our obligation of putting the health and future opportunities of our workforce first,” said Representative Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles), Vice-Chair of the House Business and Labor Committee. “We look forward to working with labor advocates and the farming community to gain support for an approach that puts money directly into the hands of our important workforce, while protecting their jobs and our family-owned farms and ranches.”

“Our farmers and ranchers aren’t looking for a hand-out, we just want to keep farming,” added Rep. Boshart Davis. “Our farmworkers and our farms are facing a myriad of headwinds, from skyrocketing inflation to shipping costs to decreasing commodity prices due to competition from other states and countries. We’re proud to answer the call to find an Oregon solution.”


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-02-23 16:39:42Last Update: 2022-02-23 16:56:56



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