National School Choice Week event, hosted by Education Freedom for Oregon, will be held January 28, 2023, 12-3 pm at the Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 East Main Street, Hillsboro. The event is free, but registration is required.

This event will be to educate families about what School Choice is and why it helps students. This free, fun, family-friendly event includes the showing of a movie about School Choice called "Miss Virginia." This movie is based on the true story of a mother who sacrifices everything to give her son a safe school environment and good education. Unwilling to allow her son to stay in a dangerous school, she launched a movement that helps thousands of families find the right school for their children so they receive a safe, wholesome education.

The event will include a livestream with Virginia Walden Ford, featured in the movie, to answer questions about her movie and her mission.

The movie demonstrates how it is possible for parents, grandparents, neighbors and other ordinary people can stand up for their children and give them the opportunity and financial means for a great education.

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This event is hosted by Education Freedom for Oregon, formed in September 2021 during the pandemic when parents became aware of the curriculum their children were being taught. Inspired by a June 2021 national poll showing 80 percent supporting parents’ ability to choose where their child is educated in K-12. Even Democrats polled at 70 percent. Parents came together to form the organization to promote school choice with the specific goal to have state school funds follow the student to customize education that meets the needs of the student. They have promoted school choice ever since through legislation and petitions.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-01-06 11:30:31

Last Update: 2023-01-06 19:51:00

The best time to test for radon is during the heating season – the winter months – when windows and doors are closed tight. It's why Oregon Health Authority recognizes National Radon Action Month during January by encouraging people to test their homes for the odorless, tasteless, invisible gas.

Many parts of Oregon remain at risk of high radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes up from the ground and is drawn into buildings, where it can build up to dangerous levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, and it's the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. But people can take steps to reduce their exposure to radon by testing their homes for the gas and, if necessary, hiring a professional to reduce radon to a safe level.

"Now, more than ever, we are spending more time in our homes. That means more exposure to potentially high radon levels," said Jara Popinga, OHA's Radon Awareness Program coordinator. "The only way to know if you have a high radon level is to test. The best time to test for radon is during the heating season or colder months when the windows and doors are closed for long periods of time."

Many test kits are priced between $20 and $30 and can be found in most hardware stores or available for purchase from online retailers. High radon levels can be fixed by a certified radon professional for a cost similar to that of common home repairs ranging between $2,000 and $3,000, such as painting or having a new water heater installed.

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The Radon Awareness Program collects radon test data from test kit manufacturers to understand which areas of the state have the potential for high radon levels and to identify regions where educational outreach efforts need to be focused. The program is offering a free radon test kit to residents whose homes are in ZIP codes with fewer than 20 radon test results. Residents can learn more about the free radon test kit program and how to apply at www.healthoregon.org/radon. Free test kits are available while supplies last.

For more information on which areas of the state are at moderate to high risk of elevated radon levels, radon testing and mitigation or to order a test kit online, contact the Radon Awareness Program at radon.program@state.or.us or visit www.healthoregon.org/radon.


--Ritch Hanneman

Post Date: 2023-01-06 11:25:44

Last Update: 2023-01-06 11:55:23

The Oregon Department of Education has announced that it is "proud to publish Supporting Gender Expansive Students: Guidance for Schools. This guidance is grounded in the recognition, respect, affirmation, friendship, joy, belonging, and safety every human deserves - including the students, staff, and families that make-up our school communities."

According to a news release from the ODE, “Gender expansive students are protected under federal and Oregon civil rights laws. School districts have a responsibility to provide a safe and affirming educational environment for all students, including gender expansive students,” Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill said. “Affirming and supportive educators, schools, families, friends, and communities are shown to increase academic success, feelings of belonging, and reduce negative mental health outcomes.”

"These gender-affirming best practices from the Oregon Department of Education will help our schools to build safe learning environments where gender expansive students feel welcome, accepted, and celebrated for who they are," said Governor Kate Brown. "It's critical that we continue to work towards ensuring that Oregon's gender expansive students have access to all the same opportunities for learning, achievement, and success as their peers––without fear of discrimination and harassment. If you are a gender expansive student in Oregon, please know this––you are seen, you are loved, and you will always have a place in Oregon's public schools."

The ODE describes the guidance as "developed with input from over 500 students, parents, community members, educators, district leaders, statewide education partners, LGBTQ2SIA+ community-based organizations, culturally-specific organizations, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and ODE staff from many offices and teams. This updated guidance clarifies new and evolving laws and policies in order to address the diverse needs of a broad range of gender expansive students and the school districts who serve them."

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This guidance update replaces the previously released Guidance to School Districts: Creating a Safe and Supportive School Environment for Transgender Students from 2016. ODE’s 2016 guidance was one of the first statewide guidance documents in the nation to assist K-12 schools to synthesize state law, federal law, and best practice in order to support transgender students.

Key Points In The Updated Guidance:

• Expanded and clarified support for all gender expansive students, including but not limited to transgender, nonbinary, two spirit, intersex, agender, genderqueer, and genderfluid identities.
• Recommendations for merging legal requirements with best practice in the classroom, in school activities, in school policies and procedures, and more.
• Additional implementation examples grounded in the technical support requested by Oregon school districts. Additional Resources For School Districts, Students And Families

Alongside the guidance, ODE is releasing a set of tools that offer districts best practices and recommendations to implement gender-affirming practices each day. At the request of students and community members, there are also student- and family-facing resource documents that outline the support that can be requested and affirmed within Oregon public schools and communities.

For School Districts:

• An action planning tool outlining specific resources for gender-affirming schools (for administrators, educators, and all school staff)
• A student support and safety planning template (for administrators, school health providers, educators, students, families)
• A document that outlines options for affirming gender, names, and pronouns within student information systems (for administrators and registrars)
• A document that explains the expanded options for gender markers on the standard Individual Education Program template (for administrators, IEP teams, and families)

For Students and Families:

• A list of gender-affirming care and crisis response resources in Oregon (for school health providers, health educators, students, and families)
• Answers to frequently asked questions about filing a discrimination complaint (for students and families)
• A one-pager outlining supportive options available to LGBTQ2SIA+ students in Oregon (for students and families)

The publication of this guidance comes during a tumultuous time for LGBTQ2SIA+ communities nationwide, as well as in Oregon. In the face of ongoing anger and violence, gender expansive students are resilient, as are the LGBTQ2SIA+ communities that lift them up all across Oregon. 8% of Oregon students who identify as transgender, questioning, or gender expansive are part of our communities and our classrooms, our school plays, our after school clubs, our bands and orchestras, our leadership programs, and our sports teams. LGBTQ2SIA+ youth report finding sources of joy in self-acceptance, supportive teachers, falling in love, playing sports, parental support, LGBTQ2SIA+ student clubs, and affirming friends, among others.

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As directed by the State Legislature in 2021, this guidance is one way ODE is prioritizing the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan strategy which states, “ODE demonstrates leadership to districts, schools, and families by collecting and disseminating resources, providing guidance and coaching, addressing violations of policy in a timely manner, and proactively building districts’ capacity to create trusting, connected and inclusive environments.” (Student Success Plan Domain 3, Objective 2).

“It is our responsibility to move beyond mere tolerance and inclusion toward respectful, affirming, and celebratory school communities where all students belong and succeed,” Gill said. “Gender expansive students who are absent due to fear, or who spend their school day feeling unsafe, are prevented from accessing their right to an education. In partnership with each of our school districts, we can make 2023 a year of wraparound support for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth in Oregon.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-01-05 11:27:32

Last Update: 2023-01-05 12:09:21

Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell was sworn in as Multnomah County Sheriff on Wednesday, Jan. 4, becoming the first woman to hold the post in the Sheriff’s Office’s nearly 170-year history.

Over 160 people — including former chiefs and captains, community leaders and newly sworn-in Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, alongside other County commissioners — filled the Multnomah Building’s boardroom for the swearing-in ceremony.  

Morrisey O’Donnell will lead Oregon’s largest Sheriff’s Office, whose 750-plus sworn and civilian employees provide services throughout the county, including in Maywood Park, Troutdale and Wood Village. Morrisey O’Donnell boasts more than 26 years of experience, rising in the ranks from deputy to lieutenant to captain, then to Chief Deputy and Undersheriff. She is one of only two Multnomah County sheriffs to hold dual certifications in both police and corrections disciplines. As Sheriff, she oversees a $184 million budget.

Speakers at Wednesday’s event included Musse Olol, president of the Somali American Council of Oregon, and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Business Services Erin Hubert.   

“I personally had the opportunity to meet her and have one-on-one conversations with her,” said Olol, pointing to Morrisey O’Donnell’s participation in large community celebration events, as well as smaller, more conversational ones. I’ve always noticed her level of humility and openness to learn from the community. This is the exact combination we need for the ideal sheriff of Multnomah County.”

Morrisey O’Donnell will lead the Sheriff’s Office with distinction, and will serve every community with honor and courage, said Olol.

Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson issued the oath of office while Morrisey O’Donnell’s husband, retired Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy Bob O’Donnell, pinned on her Sheriff’s badge.  

Morrisey O’Donnell earned her degree at the University of Portland and received subsequent training at the Oregon Executive Development Institute and Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Command College. 

Morrisey O’Donnell acknowledged and thanked the wide array of community members, including friends, family members and fellow members of the Sheriff’s Office, as well as former Sheriff Mike Reese.  

“I will lead the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and serve our community with compassion, pride and unwavering resolve to building stronger communities because building stronger communities makes everyone safer,” Morrisey O’Donnell stated. “I am committed to listening to, and learning from all community members to build solutions together to meet the unique public safety needs of each community.” 

Morrisey O’Donnell emphasized reducing gun violence. 

“This stems from an early childhood incident when my father survived a shooting during an armed robbery at his business in our small town,” she shared. “My family and I experienced firsthand the impacts gun violence can have in our home and in our community.”

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Preventing violence in all forms remains a top priority, she stressed. 

“I will invest in initiatives focused on prevention, intervention and support services through building partnerships with community-based resources and investigative and enforcement efforts,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. 

“I will be a leader and develop collaborative strategies to break the cycle of violence, advocate for the voices of victims and survivors, and hold accountable those who do harm in our community.” 

Morrisey O’Donnell said that she would work with County health partners to develop an integrated public safety approach that would support a more efficient trauma-informed response to people experiencing behavioral and mental health challenges. That work, she said, would rest on continued partnerships with mental health providers, addiction specialists and social services, and an ongoing focus on outreach efforts, including access to safe housing education and job skills, and treatment opportunities. 

She then turned her attention to the employees she now oversees.

“The people who work at the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office are dedicated and extremely hard-working,” she said. “I care about our members and I admire their dedication to the work they do every day for the safety of our community and in service to others.”

Morrisey O’Donnell said that her interactions with people across the county made it clear to her that “we are united in our care and concern for our loved ones. And we want the same things for families, our friends and our neighbors: a safe community where everyone feels welcome.”

“I know this is a big task, and I am honored and encouraged by your trust in me to do this important work,” the new Sheriff said in closing. “I have a heart for service, a strong resolve and it is my life‘s calling.”

Sheriff Morrisey O'Donnell's swearing in was just one of several ceremonies for Multnomah County officials taking place this week. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson was sworn in Tuesday evening, while Commissioner Diane Rosenbaum was sworn in Wednesday afternoon to represent District 3. Commissioner Susheela Jayapal and Auditor Jennifer McGuirk will be sworn in for their second four-year terms during the regular board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 5.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-01-04 20:53:35

Last Update: 2023-01-04 21:16:14

Judge Robert Raschio in Harney County issued a decision on the State of Oregon’s efforts to eliminate the three day safeguard rule, which requires law enforcement to report the results of a background check for firearms purchases or allow the transaction to proceed. Both state and federal law have safeguards built in to allow the transfer of a firearm to take place when the background check system fails.

Judge Raschio issued a two-page opinion focused on the severability issue. The text of Measure 114 contained a severability clause which said that "if any provision of this 2022 Act or its applications to any person or circumstance is held invalid", then the court determines if other portions of the law survive.

The language the defendants urge the court to use to sever is inexorably linked with the permit-to-purchase program. To find otherwise requires the court to ignore the operative language linking each provision on background checks to the permit-to-purchase program. The court would be separating sentences at commas and considering the phrase "permit holder" surplusage. It is not surplusage. The court declines the defendants' invitation to do so at this preliminary stage.

Oregon Firearms Federation Director Kevin Starrett says that "Today’s decision is very good news. The days ahead will tell what the state plans to do to reverse that good news but for now we have another victory for gun owners and common sense. But the federal case is continuing and the legal bills are larger than anything OFF has ever faced before."

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In addition to this case in state court, there are three cases -- now consolidated -- working their way through federal court.

According to Starrett, "It’s extremely likely that the state, under the direction of a militantly anti-gun Attorney General, will appeal Raschio’s rulings. AG Ellen Rosenblum has made it clear that she has no interest whatsoever in whether Measure 114 is constitutional. If there is a way to deny people’s 2nd Amendment rights, she is going to attempt it."

Starrett raised a further point. "But the great unknown is what happens to those cases if the legislature changes the law? Will the Democrats time any changes to assure the most costly outcome for gun owners? Probably. Remember, gun owners are not only paying the lawyers who are defending their rights, they are, whether they like it or not, paying the lawyers who are working to destroy those rights."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-01-04 11:44:26

Last Update: 2023-01-04 23:42:21

In 1998, after bits of experimentation and testing, Oregon Voters made Oregon a permanent vote by mail state by a margin of 69% to 31% through ballot measure 60. Just over two years prior, in March of 1996 Oregon held the country’s 2nd vote by mail presidential primary with 58% turnout -- edged out by the first vote presidential primary held by North Dakota, just a few weeks earlier.

One of the promises of vote by mail -- a promise that was held to be almost axiomatic by its supporters was that vote by mail would increase turnout. In fact, voter turnout is more a function of voter excitement or apathy and has more to do with whether an incumbent is running than whether voters can return ballots by mail.

A good example was the historic 2008 Democrat primary, featuring Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, coupled with an arguably nearly exciting Republican primary featuring John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul, all vying for an open seat. A more recent example was the 2016 Republican primary with Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, John Kasich and a full slate of many others competing with Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, all also competing for an open seat. Both these contests had large turnouts.



As large as the draws of these contests were in an age of entrenched vote by mail, they were overshadowed by the dramatic turnouts of every presidential primary turnout from 1960 to 1976 -- even in years where there was an incumbent running for re-election to the White House.

The promises of increased voter turnout due to vote by mail were nearly universal. A sampling from the arguments in favor from the 1998 Voters Pamphlet reveals breathless predictions:

• "It Increases Voter Turnout! Election after election has shown that more people vote when they receive their ballots in the mail. Over 50% of all those who vote are now absentee voters! These same elections have shown that neither party benefits from Vote by Mail. We all benefit from more people voting!"
• "It is the common sense thing to do. Why? Our 16 year history with conducting elections by mail shows that voter turnout improves with elections by mail, tax dollars are saved when elections are conducted by mail and elections by mail help keep our voter registration files among the cleanest in the nation.
• "Increases Voter Participation. We support the efforts to promote and enhance the ability of all Oregonians to vote. Vote By Mail assures greater voter participation. AARP favors increasing the number of citizens voting in elections. Our system of government depends on a majority of citizens voting.
• Measure 60 would likely increase voter participation because it’s convenient. If you are a registered voter, you simply receive your ballot in the mail. You vote. You put it back in the mail. End of story. No more juggling your schedule. No worries about the weather. No questions about polling location. No hassle. -Oregon Education Association
• Vote-by-Mail increases turnout. Compared with polling place elections, voter turnout is dramatically higher with Vote-by-Mail. Rapidly rising use of absentee ballots in recent years indicates that voters prefer to vote by mail. Even though there is a nostalgia about going to the polling place, the reality is that we currently have a costly and complicated dual system of elections. The dual system is confusing for many voters. Vote-by-Mail gets more people to vote. -Oregon State Public Interest Research Group.

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Then State Representative Lynn Snodgrass, a Republican, penned these words in opposition to Measure 60 for the same Voters Pamphlet.

Intimidation, coercion, thousands of ballots sent from inaccurate and outdated registration lists, counties lacking the ability to daily and accurately exchange or compare data with each other, and lack of privacy all potential for dramatic corruption.

While some suggest that mandatory vote by mail will encourage voter participation, the fact is, the most responsible way to encourage voter participation is to deliver what was promised on the campaign trail. Mandatory vote by mail will not guarantee that result.

The prediction of corruption may have been prophetic.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-01-02 23:40:52

Last Update: 2023-01-02 12:00:31

The average family lost $4,000 to $5,000 in real take home pay in 2022 according to the US Census, Department of Numbers. Oregon did somewhat better, losing an average of $973. That nearly $1000 taken from a medium family’s annual income doesn’t account for the inflation rate above 9% this past summer. For the year the CPI finished above 7%, which translated into the biggest annual rise in prices in four decades.

Oregon lagged behind the national average income until 2018 when family income took a whopping $2,000 jump and the national average only increased by $140. Oregon has kept that spread ever since. Oregon Office of Economic Analysis reported at that time, the gain was a result of years in the making that turned southern Oregon around from depending on forestry to strong income gains. The growth in Bend also contributed to the 2018 gains. The rest of the state stayed on course with a slight decline in the Salem area.

According to some observers, Oregon Democrats have focused on the fiscal health of state government at the expense of the economic health of the state. In September, Oregon House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) conflated state government with the state, saying “The Oregon economy continues to be fundamentally strong. Hiring has increased, our unemployment rate is near its lowest level on record, and we hold record reserves following years of sound fiscal management by Democratic leadership. After a session in which we made critical one-time investments in all corners of the state, we’ll keep prioritizing the issues Oregonians care most about like housing, behavioral health support, abortion access and more.”

Some experts are surprised that Portland holds on after rioters destroyed the city. Since the current administration -- state and national -- has taken office, policies for defunding police, crippling energy standards and the diversity agenda has been instigated and Portland’s real median household income has dropped $1,040 and Eugene declined by $586. Corvallis has been on a steady decline since 2019. Salem’s real median household income took the biggest hit during shutdowns declining $3,949.

Josh Lehner, Oregon Economist, reports, “there is a difference between a strong and tight labor market and an overheating labor market. Given wage growth is clearly outstripping productivity gains, it is inflationary today. A slowing in wage growth (and an increase in business investment and productivity) is needed for underlying inflation to return to the Fed’s target as wage growth provides households their baseline ability to spend.” Oregon has typically experienced wage growth due to poaching, freeing lesser paying jobs for the unemployed. As the labor market slows down, so will wage growth that will slow inflation but likely to contribute to the feel of the coming recession.

Lehner says, Oregon’s new data shows that the income gaps across different races and ethnicities appears to be narrowing. “Median incomes, of those for the typical Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic household still lag behind their white, and Asian peers, but the gap has narrowed in recent years. What used to be gaps of 20-40% now appear to be more like 10-20%.”

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Even with the COVID pandemic finally over and businesses are operating as usual, instead of a year of prosperity and growth, we got the opposite. Oregon’s forecast is for further decline. State economist Mark McMullen predicts Oregon losing 24,000 jobs in a 2023 recession. He said the decline will show in housing and business investments due to high interest rates causing a dip in employment, but predicts a come back in 2024. If his assumption that employers won’t be quick to let workers go when sales slow, it will help slow the recession.

Then there was the stock market selloff that vaporized some $12 trillion of savings and wealth in 2022. A Committee to Unleash Prosperity report found that the typical 401k retirement plan lost more than $30,000. Adjusting for inflation, the Nasdaq fell by 34%, the S&P by nearly 25% and the Dow Jones by 6%, having an impact on retirements.

Next week the 2023 Oregon legislature will go on record. How will they deal with the predicted $3 billion less than they had during the current two-year budget cycle. Many Oregonians were forced to cash out capital gains in 2021 and federal stimulus checks increased the amount of state income taxes. Oregon has cash reserves of almost $1.8 billion in addition to rainy day funds. One thing is certain, a recession isn’t a time for new taxes or new programs.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-01-01 06:50:48

Last Update: 2023-01-01 11:09:09

Editor's note: These are the top 10 stories based on your clicks. Thank you for your support. Read on and see that the bar has been set pretty low for 2023. Have a great new year!

Republicans Scramble on Feminine Hygiene Products
Who is pulling the strings In the tampon war?
While the last several Oregon legislative sessions have seen an avalanche of agenda-driven bills, not many have gotten the attention of HB 3294. This bill, passed in 2021, required free tampons and sanitary pads in every...[READ MORE]
Monday, May 16

Oregon Ignores Public Input
OHA mandates made permanent
Oregon Health Authority marches forward with four permanent rules on mandates for masking and vaccinations. After an overwhelming number of Oregonians voiced opposition, OHA still filed the first rule with the Secretary of State’s office. This first rule makes...[READ MORE]
Sunday, January 30

Analysis: Republican Homeless Student Initiative Fails
Billions are available for student homelessness and others
On March 3, SB 1539 relating to homeless youth in Oregon schools, sponsored by Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) died quietly and was laid to rest on a strait party line vote. All nine republicans voted yes and 18 democrats...[READ MORE]
Tuesday, April 5

Kate Brown Delivers State of the State Address
Challenging times in Oregon’s history
Oregon's Governor Kate Brown has delivered her State of the State address. The Governor's speech highlighted what she would like to spend more taxpayer money on, including workforce development and career training, affordable housing, and child care. "I stand...[READ MORE]
Thursday, February 3

Bill Gives OHA Emergency Powers
The pandemic emergencies are still very raw to many
Less than half way through the Oregon Legislative Short Session and the trickery is starting to show up. With barely 24 hours notice, Senator Deb Patterson (D-Salem), chair of the Senate Committee on Health Care, rushed through a committee sponsored amendment to to SB 1529. What was a good bill that authorized pharmacy or pharmacy technician to swipe identification card or driver license of purchaser of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, turned ugly....[READ MORE]
Sunday, February 13

Is the Oregon Legislature Fighting Inflation?
Cost of Living Relief for a Select Group
A recent press release from the House Speaker and Senate President is titled, “Cost of Living Relief Package Will Target Childcare Affordability and Support Working Families.” They say as the cost-of-living spikes across the...[READ MORE]
Wednesday, February 23

School Boards May Lose Control
Bill is proposed in the legislature
The Coalition of School Administrators have decided to double down on critical race theory and CSE indoctrination. This has created an uproar in a number of districts. The firing of five superintendents over the past year has not set...[READ MORE]
Wednesday, February 2

ODOT Studies Hydrogen Fuel Cells
There is interest in locally and renewably produced hydrogen
The Oregon Department of Transportation Climate Office has announced the release of a 50 page Hydrogen Pathway Study, in an effort to understand and prepare Oregon for...[READ MORE]
Thursday, May 19

Democrat Navarro’s Criminal History Revealed
A legacy of irresponsibility
In Oregon's upcoming Legislative House District 21 race covering Keizer and Central Salem, Democratic...[READ MORE]
Tuesday, October 18

Proposed Initiatives Create STAR Voting
Supporters say we could skip the primary and just vote in November
Two initiative petitions proposed for the November 2024 election have been filed with the Oregon Secretary of State to significantly change the way Oregonians vote...[READ MORE]
Tuesday, August 9

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-01-01 00:00:03

Last Update: 2022-12-28 13:27:06

The Tigard Tualatin School Board will hold a special meeting January 2 at 7pm to accept the resignation of board member Dr. Marvin Lynn. It began with a movement in the Tigard Tualatin School District when it was discovered that Dr. Lynn lives in Colorado as a full-time resident holding a full-time position at the University of Colorado Denver as the Dean of the School of Education and Human Development.

Dr. Lynn ran for the Tigard Tualatin School Board in the May 2021 election, and notified the board in late spring 2022 that he had accepted the position at the University of Colorado Denver. He was appointed Dean effective July 1, 2022 to take over from two interim deans co-leading the prior year. Dr. Lynn identified himself as Dean as early as March 21, 2022 to the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education governance board as Secretary.

Dr. Lynn’s term on the school board runs to May of 2025. The opposition said, “Dr. Lynn cannot appropriately perform his board duties within the district for that duration while holding a full-time position in Colorado.” The board received numerous inquiries questioning how Dr. Lynn’s qualifies to continue his position on the board. The Tigard Tualatin community were asking the board to abide by their policy had Dr. Lynn not resigned.

The Tigard Tualatin School District has a policy that states, "The Board shall declare the office of a director vacant upon any of the following:" with item 2 stating, " When an incumbent ceases to be a resident of the district." Number 3 states, “When an incumbent ceases to discharge the duties of office for two consecutive months unless prevented by sickness or unavoidable cause.”

Dr. Lynn is also subject to ORS 332.018 and 332.030, which does not give allowance for a primary residence if the board member lives elsewhere the majority of the time. “No person shall be eligible to serve as director unless the person is an elector of the district and has resided therein for the period of one year immediately preceding the election or appointment.” Moving to Colorado in July means he has not resided [to live in a place@Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary] within Oregon for six months.

Dr. Lynn also holds positions on other Oregon boards that are also subject to ORS 332.018 and 332.030.

• Dr. Lynn holds position #20, a voting position, on the Legislative Policy Committee for the Oregon School Board Association. His term ends December 2023.
• He holds a position on Oregon’s Educator Advancement Council as Director contingent with his being a member on an Oregon school board.

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When asked to resign his position on the Tigard Tualatin School Board, Dr. Lynn initially responded, “My family still lives in Oregon and my children still attend TTSD schools. We still own a home there. I still spend a significant amount of time there. Thank you.”

Ben Kibler, Political Director with Free Oregon said, “It is imperative to hold those in leadership accountable to their own policies as they expect us to respect their positions. Effective action requires everyone's participation.”

The Tigard Tualatin School Board will begin the process of filling Dr. Lynn’s position at the January 2 special meeting.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-12-31 06:32:54

Last Update: 2022-12-30 23:21:18

Governor Kate Brown recently granted clemency to 17 persons on Oregon’s death row. These persons were sentenced to death under the Oregon State Constitution provision which authorizes the death penalty for aggravated murder.

Representative-Elect Kevin Mannix commented that, "There are two things that strike me about the governor’s decision to change the death penalty for 17 aggravated murderers, to a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"First, the Governor has again failed and refused to follow the law in regard to notification of crime victims, giving crime victims an opportunity to be heard before the clemency decision is made. Unfortunately, the Oregon Supreme Court has allowed her to do this, despite the procedural law requiring notification and an opportunity to be heard.

"Second, the Governor has had years to propose a constitutional amendment to change the death penalty. She has not done this. Instead, she has waited until the end of her term in office to eliminate the death penalty for 17 aggravated murderers. This is a failure to connect in regard to the voters and to the legislature."

According to Mannix, all of this supports legislation which he will be introducing as a new State Representative:

• A requirement that the only process the Governor can follow in clemency decisions is to notify the District Attorney and the crime victim, and to give them an opportunity to be heard, before the clemency order is entered.
• A constitutional amendment which changes the death penalty to an absolute true-life penalty, where there is no opportunity for parole, and where any clemency decision by the Governor would have to be affirmed by a majority vote of the Oregon Senate. This new aggravated murder absolute true-life penalty in prison legislation will also list all the kinds of horrible murders which are considered aggravated murder. The Legislature gutted the aggravated murder law years ago and this needs to be re-established.

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Mannix continued, "We need an overall restriction on the Governor’s clemency powers, so a Governor must always follow the legislative process and must get approval from the Senate for any clemency decision regarding someone convicted of a felony. This goes beyond the aggravated murder situation and covers all clemencies.

"The Governor’s actions simply remind us that victims need to be respected and heard, and that we need to change the law and constitution provisions to strengthen our justice system."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-12-30 11:26:33

Last Update: 2022-12-30 11:34:34

The Oregon Education Association is governed by 44 teachers across the state that school boards have hired to teach students what the school board deems appropriate. OEA is losing strength as parents fight back against curriculums. Are teachers more invested in their union than teaching students?

OEA lists their priorities as:

• Class size – claiming Oregon has large class sizes and inadequate school funding even though class sizes have continued to be reduced and funding is near the top in the nation.
• Disrupted learning – students lack adequate support and students are coming to school hungry even though breakfast is now served at public schools. They view facing parents’ complaints as threatening. OEA wants legislation on policies that will support safe and supportive learning environments and working conditions that leave parents in the dark.
• Restoring programs and positions – restore art, music and physical education programs and positions that support students, such as custodians, bus drivers, teachers, and educational assistants.
• Protecting our jobs – salaries are higher for all employees because the union has the power to beat back attacks on educator benefits, protect jobs and make progress.

OEA focused on their own interests and supported the passage of SB 744 in 2021 that suspended essential skills graduation requirements through 2024. In 2022, they fought against two attempts at increasing enrollees for virtual charter schools, and fought against cuts to the Corporate Activities Tax raising the cost of living for all parents.

OEA supported an exemption and removal of federal minimum requirements of standardized testing contributing to Oregon ranking near the bottom. They supported removing safety officers out of schools, legal representation for families navigating the immigration system, increased health care benefit for part-time faculty, increased funding for grants, and purchase of Elliot Forest.

OEA has a coordinated system for teachers to address complaints from parents as harassment when it goes viral in the community over a lesson or homework assignment for its equity standards or social justice curriculum. They want to make this legislation.

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Nationally, a recent declaration by American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten during a virtual educator’s event, praised Joe Biden as a hero for schools. “What you have done for American education…has been more than any president - even FDR.”

The Associated Press reported Biden’s education results as: “Math and reading scores for 9-year-olds in the US fell between 2020 and 2022 by a level not seen in decades, a foreboding sign of the state of American education two years after the Covid-19 pandemic began.” The results were from the “Nation’s Report Card,” part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress long-term trend reading and math exams.

Biden seems to care more about the teacher unions, which donated more than $12 million to Biden and Democrats, than he does school children. Even though OEA dues does not support candidates, members have contributed $800,000 in each of the last two elections, and they endorse the Democrat ticket.

Seeing a visible attack against parents, Oregon Moms Union was founded in 2021 to help organize parents to fight for their kids’ right to a quality education. Their priority is to ensure school boards, school districts and elected officials are open and responsive to the voice of parents in their children’s education. Mobilizing parents to take an active role to ensure kids always come first.

Electing enough school board members that support these goals will roll up to OEA as their board is replaced with teachers that support their local school boards and parents. Teachers are not required to join OEA and OEA isn’t required to support the Oregon State Board of Education. However, both organizations seem to coordinate efforts that the Oregon Moms Union sees as needing reform.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-12-29 10:22:27

Last Update: 2022-12-29 11:22:21

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2022 national and state population estimates an increase in change after a historically low rate between 2020 and 2021.

The primary driver of growth was the addition of 1,010,923 people migrating internationally into the U.S., representing 168.8% over 2021. “There was a sizeable uptick in population growth last year compared to the prior year’s historically low increase,” said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau. “A rebound in net international migration, coupled with the largest year-over-year increase in total births since 2007, is behind this increase.”

The West experienced growth in 2022, second to the South having the highest resident population. The West gained 153,601 residents (0.2% total resident population) with Washington State and Arizona picking up the slack for losses in both Oregon and California losing -233,150 residents through net domestic migration. A natural increase of 154,405 largely accounted for the growth in the West.

In 2022, 26 states and the District of Columbia had births outnumbering deaths, with Texas (118,159), California (106,155) and New York (35,611) having the highest natural increase. The remaining 24 states experienced negative natural change, or natural decreases.

Where does Oregon stand? Oregon is sixth in numeric decline losing -16,164 (-0.4%) in 2022, including -5,089 less births than deaths. Domestic migration was a -17,331 but a positive 7,026 international migration for a net of -10,305. The biggest loser in the West was California losing -113,649, which is a -0.3% of residents.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia saw positive net international migration with California (125,715), Florida (125,629) and Texas (118,614) having the largest gains.

The biggest gains from net domestic migration last year were in Florida (318,855), Texas (230,961) and North Carolina (99,796), while the biggest losses were in California (-343,230), New York (-299,557) and Illinois (-141,656).

The Population Estimates Program uses current data on births, deaths and migration to calculate population change since the most recent decennial census date and produce a time series of estimates of population, demographic components of change, and housing units.

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The American Economic Review 2022, 112(11) reports that standard economic models show that growth is driven by people discovering new ideas, which is driven by the size of the population. A larger population means more researchers which in turn leads to more new ideas and to higher living standards. The negative natural and domestic growth in Oregon should be of primary concern for the 2023 legislative session.

When population growth is negative, models produce what is called the Empty Planet result. Knowledge and living standards stagnate and the population gradually vanishes. If the economy switches to an optimal growth pattern soon enough, it can become a balanced growth path with sustained exponential growth. An ever-increasing population benefits from ever-rising living standards. But if the economy waits too long to switch, even the optimal patterns can be trapped with negative population growth, and the flow of new ideas goes to zero, depreciation of knowledge leads to declining living standards, and an even a more dire outcome.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-12-28 10:09:08

Last Update: 2022-12-28 11:55:38