Oregon Political News and Commentary
The most dangerous man in Washington, D.C. could be Senator Max Baucus (D-MT). Mr. Baucus has been re-elected five times to the United States Senate with relative ease. He has amassed a re-election war chest of over $5 Million for … Continue rea
by NW Spotlight Washington State’s Skagit River I-5 bridge collapsed last Thursday when an overloaded truck hit it. The bridge had not been considered structurally deficient, but it was listed as being “functionally obsolete.” KING 5 in Seattle reported “The …
by Dan Lucas The Clackamas County Sheriff’s office recently released their 926-page police report on the shooting last December at the Clackamas Town Center. It is heart-wrenching to read. Police were able to extract portions of documents from the killer’s computer. His writing reveals a …
Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) Today is Memorial Day. As a Vietnam vet (that’s me in the photo), on Memorial Day I stop and remember my fellow soldiers and pilots who served with honor, but never came home—all were young …
By Doug DeFilipps Education writer Betsy Hammond recently reported that, according to a study done by The Oregonian, in the 2013-2014 fiscal year the budget woes of most school districts will not come primarily from PERS, Oregon’s retirement system for …
by Casey Flesch I broke the law this week. I ignored all the warning signs. I knew what I was doing was illegal. I wasn’t alone either, hundreds of people were doing it too. I wondered if they saw the … Continue reading →
by Bob Clark Measure 26-152, Metro government’s local option levy for natural areas, passed overwhelmingly in Multnomah County but narrowly failed in both Washington County and Clackamas County (as of last count yesterday, which is likely to hold). The overwhelming …
Sen. Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls) “It appears that the Governor, and Democrat legislative leadership, are willing to do whatever it takes to continue to protect the bloated costs of the Public Employee Retirement System.” For the past several months, the …
by NW Spotlight After Tuesday night’s resounding defeat of Portland’s fluoridation measure, Oregon State Rep. Ben Unger (D-Hillsboro) must still be licking his wounds. As a career political operative, Unger has grown quite used to being on the winning side …
by Shelby Sebens and Dustin Hurst, Northwest Watchdog U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is turning the tables of the IRS scandal from the government taxing authority to the organizations it unfairly targeted. “If political organizations don’t want to be scrutinized …
By Taxpayer Association of Oregon The lawmakers in Salem have been ignoring the $14 billion PERS crisis with cosmetic fixes, while at the same time suggesting we cuts prisons. This is how the public is seeing the debate!
by Sen. Larry George Salem, OR – Senator Larry George (R-Sherwood) issued the following statement yesterday morning after a remonstrance on the Senate floor: “The Governor’s caustic, partisan press release Thursday evening is a disturbing departure from his private statements …
The transit agency for Vancouver (C-TRAN) is reconsidering its support for the Columbia River Crossing Project, which includes light rail to Vancouver. In a staff report prepared for this week’s C-TRAN board meeting, the following claims are made: Light rail …
by Dan Lucas Final quarterly revenue forecast is in for 2011-2013 budget cycle – up $174.3 million from June 2011 close of session (COS) The 8th and final quarterly revenue forecast for the current biennial budget cycle, 2011-13, was released …
by Roger O. McClellan WASHINGTON and Oregon are in the middle of an intense debate about whether to expand facilities to ship coal to Asia. As a former resident of Washington state and one who has family that lives in … Cont
President Obama is coming under increasing criticism – not just for the increasing number of scandals in his administration but for being clueless about them – for learning about them when we the public learn about them – from the … Co
Oregon House Republican Office
End Session with No New Taxes By Taxpayer Association of Oregon The 2013 Legislature may end up without a terrible tax increase — and lawmakers should keep pressing for this as we are so close to the end. The … Continue reading →
Senate Republican Office & House Republican Office Salem, OR – Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) and House Republican Leader Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte) issued the following statement in response to Governor Kitzhaber’s (D) Wednesday press conference: “Republicans share the …
Last week my wife asked whether I believed there was evil in the world. In just a short while we have experienced the Newtown shooting of grade school children, the terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon, the lurid and graphic … Continue readin
by Dan Lucas People who are granted extensive power over our lives need to understand that power and they need to understand the equally extensive responsibilities that come with that power. Abuses of that power must be met with swift … Cont
by Dennis Linthicum The Klamath County Budget Committee is getting plenty of feedback with regard to Meals on Wheels and the Senior Center. The committee is not struggling with the validity or need for the Meals on Wheels program. The …
Oregon Senate Republican Office Oregon Democrats extend tax break for big business – but they vote down tax relief for small businesses Salem, OR – Providing a stark contrast in priorities, Democrats handily passed a bill Monday morning that extends millions …
Defend Liberty! Youth Conference - Saturday. May 25, Eugene Liberty activists of all ages are encouraged to attend the Youth Conference on May 25 in Eugene. The Conference will strengthen the growing campus network of liberty-minded students and connect them …
by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) There is a troubling bill working it’s way through the Oregon state legislature. SB 692 would create unnecessary energy efficiency mandates on televisions sold in Oregon. The industry is concerned because with more than 20 years …
By Doug DeFilipps The Beaverton City Council is considering exempting non-profit organizations that open new affordable housing units from paying the city’s property tax. An associate planner for the city said that “affordable units [are] going to be a major …
Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) The Oregon Health Plan is Oregon’s name for Medicaid. Medicaid is the federal and state program that provides health care to poor adults and children. Its promise for decades has been to provide comprehensive medical care …
by NW Spotlight On Monday, Democrats will hold a hearing on legislation to create universal health care for anyone living in Oregon. Please contact Oregon House Democrats and tell them this is a bad idea for Oregon. The details: HB … Continue reading
by Dan Lucas For the last several months there’s been a great deal of discussion nationally and here in Oregon about gun violence. The discussion began again after the tragedies at Clackamas Town Center and in Newtown, Connecticut. Those discussions quickly …
Portland Art Tax: Public Employee Retirement Income now sees exemption By Taxpayer Association of Oregon The Portland Income Tax for Art keeps producing surprises and missteps. Recently they had to change the formula so a person making only $35 …