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might be time to make a list of all of the requested investments that *didn't* get funding from the GO Bonds from the state legislature because we gave $250m for the Interstate Bridge Replacement.
first up, a $45m health and recreation center at OSU-Cascades near Bend
first up, a $45m health and recreation center at OSU-Cascades near Bend
transportation advocates had requested $50m for fixing up SW Hall Boulevard in Tigard, $100m for ODOT's Great Streets program and were angling for $30m for SE Powell too.
in christmas tree bill there's only $1m for Great Streets, $3m for Hall.
#orleg
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Dow…
in christmas tree bill there's only $1m for Great Streets, $3m for Hall.
#orleg
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Dow…
doesn't appear to be any money for Bridge of the Gods, either. Another bridge over the Columbia River sorely in need of seismic retrofit. Helluva lot cheaper, too
columbiagorgenews.com/news/funds-sou…
columbiagorgenews.com/news/funds-sou…
MAJOR ACTION ALERT
IBR freeway lobbyists snuck in language asking for A FULL BILLION DOLLARS (not the $250m originally floated) in general obligation bonds for a BILL GETTING VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE TOMORROW.
We'll have an action alert up ASAP, all hands on deck! #orleg #orpol
IBR freeway lobbyists snuck in language asking for A FULL BILLION DOLLARS (not the $250m originally floated) in general obligation bonds for a BILL GETTING VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE TOMORROW.
We'll have an action alert up ASAP, all hands on deck! #orleg #orpol
the bill is HB 5005, the omnibus General Obligation Bond bill. We're going to be asking you to email legislators to remove Sections 5-7 which allocate $250m of bonding in 2025, 2027 and 2029.
that's not highway money - that's general money that should be going to schools/housing
that's not highway money - that's general money that should be going to schools/housing
This is ODOT's backroom deal.
Despite overwhelming opposition from the public towards giving the agency a blank check for this big freeway, and significant support for right-sizing this bridge, freeway lobbyists snuck this language into HB 5005: #orleg
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Mea…
Despite overwhelming opposition from the public towards giving the agency a blank check for this big freeway, and significant support for right-sizing this bridge, freeway lobbyists snuck this language into HB 5005: #orleg
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Mea…
lol, @OregonDOT/@UrbMobilityOfc out here celebrating "national safety month" by showing a photo of the gigantic fucking freeway expansion they are building in clackamas that is robbing the state of money to fix ODOT's actually lethal dangerous streets. complete propaganda #orleg
@OregonDOT @UrbMobilityOfc seriously, do they have no shame? traffic fatalities are skyrocketing across the state, in large part because @OregonDOT spends all their money on freeways and doesn't fix TV Highway, Se Powell, McLoughlin.
guess hiding that is the point of hiring glitzy PR consultants! #orleg
guess hiding that is the point of hiring glitzy PR consultants! #orleg
@OregonDOT @UrbMobilityOfc maybe instead of patting themselves on the back for rebranding massive freeway projects as "safety investments" @OregonDOT should prioritize investments in our orphan highways? #orleg
portlandtribune.com/news/womans-de…
portlandtribune.com/news/womans-de…
🧵(1/11) Tonight, House Democrats will pass HB 2002B. They will recite phrases like 'life-saving care' & 'basic rights' to hide the truth. But we know the truth: HB 2002B is nothing but an extreme attack on parents & children. Here's what the bill does: #orpol #orleg
(2/11) Allows a child of any age, without parental knowledge, to receive an abortion. This will increase the vulnerability of young girls to be sex-trafficked.
(3/11) A doctor may not disclose to the child's parent information regarding the abortion they performed unless the child provides written consent.
🧵 If detransition is real, the whole "gender identity" house of cards collapses.
I received confirmation this week from Legislative Legal Council that House Bill 2002-A specifically EXCLUDES DETRANSITION TREATMENTS from insurance coverage.
I received confirmation this week from Legislative Legal Council that House Bill 2002-A specifically EXCLUDES DETRANSITION TREATMENTS from insurance coverage.
With this bill, Medicaid and private insurance are mandated to cover treatments when your "gender identity" and sex don't align. But, if you believe you have made a mistake and want a procedure to align with your sex, coverage will not be mandated.
The wording in the bill is intentional.
I proposed a -11 amendment to the base bill, adding coverage for detransition treatments, and it was flatly rejected by the Democrats. Why? Doesn't this seem like the compassionate thing to do?
I proposed a -11 amendment to the base bill, adding coverage for detransition treatments, and it was flatly rejected by the Democrats. Why? Doesn't this seem like the compassionate thing to do?
There’s a legislative work session on the domestic terrorism bill this AM.
Orgs like @ACLU_OR, @PCUNoregon, @ImagineBlack_, @350_PDX, @SunrisePDX, @CLDC, @breachcollectiv & more are raising concerns about rushing a DT law with virtually no community engagement.
#orleg #orpol
Orgs like @ACLU_OR, @PCUNoregon, @ImagineBlack_, @350_PDX, @SunrisePDX, @CLDC, @breachcollectiv & more are raising concerns about rushing a DT law with virtually no community engagement.
#orleg #orpol
There’s no compelling need for this law. There are plenty of state & federal laws that cover damage to infrastructure.
As we’ve seen with the GA cop city protestors, these DT laws can be readily abused to harass, jail, & stigmatize activists for political purposes.
As we’ve seen with the GA cop city protestors, these DT laws can be readily abused to harass, jail, & stigmatize activists for political purposes.
Bill sponsors assure advocates that this is not GA, so we shouldn’t worry about abuse.
This is especially dangerous idea as we know about entanglement of law enforcement with right-wing extremists. We know who is most likely to be targeted using these laws.
This is especially dangerous idea as we know about entanglement of law enforcement with right-wing extremists. We know who is most likely to be targeted using these laws.
We had a long session Monday night to discuss Oregon's House Bill 2002, a bill which greatly expands abortion and so-called "gender-affirming treatment" in this state. This bill removes ALL parental consent for abortion at any age, and greatly expands access to
"gender treatments" without ANY safeguards to protect our vulnerable children and young adults.
We have NO way to tell the difference between a young person who is transgender and a person who is temporarily gender dysphoric, yet we are pushing our youth into permanent,
We have NO way to tell the difference between a young person who is transgender and a person who is temporarily gender dysphoric, yet we are pushing our youth into permanent,
life-altering hormone and medical treatments anyway, based simply on their feelings, at a time when they are under stress. This is a travesty.
I know this is a difficult conversation to have, but we need to have it.
I know this is a difficult conversation to have, but we need to have it.
Today, I’m going to draw attention to 2 bills at the OR legislature that could be used on social, racial, & environmental justice activists: HB 2572 & 2772.
As a long time activist who has directly experienced law enforcement overreach, I'm concerned.
#orleg #orpol
As a long time activist who has directly experienced law enforcement overreach, I'm concerned.
#orleg #orpol
The bill sponsors are trying to solve a real problem: violent, right-wing extremism.
But the process to craft the laws has been limited & the main contributors are prosecutors, law enforcement, & an academic who worked at the NSA.
Few critical & community voices are involved.
But the process to craft the laws has been limited & the main contributors are prosecutors, law enforcement, & an academic who worked at the NSA.
Few critical & community voices are involved.
These bills assume the main barrier to curtailing the dangerous activities of right-wing extremists is a lack of authority, but the reality & deep structural problem is that a disturbing # of law enforcement officials participate in, protect, & coordinate w right-wing extremists.
Yesterday, OR Rep. @KhanhPhamForOR took to the House floor to call for action to protect residents & the environment from the dangers posed by dangerous fossil fuel transport & storage, like Zenith's oil trains.
Video here:
Full remarks below 👇
#orpol
Video here:
Full remarks below 👇
#orpol
"This week, Joint Transportation wrapped up its rail week discussing potential investments in rail infrastructure, which was exciting.
However, nationally, discussions around trains have been about the devastation of mixing train derailment and toxic chemicals.
However, nationally, discussions around trains have been about the devastation of mixing train derailment and toxic chemicals.
We’ve seen the shocking scenes of the train derailment and explosion in East Palestine, Ohio, which released poisonous substances into the surrounding community. We’ve seen what a magnitude 7.8 earthquake did in Turkey and Syria to kill more than 50,000 people.
Over 30 comments submitted today in opposition to @OregonDOT's proposed $1.45 billion rose quarter freeway expansion!
We'll be sharing some of the best comments in the weeks ahead.
Submit yours at nomorefreewayspdx.com/lidsnotlanes
We'll be sharing some of the best comments in the weeks ahead.
Submit yours at nomorefreewayspdx.com/lidsnotlanes
@OregonDOT "Please please please, stop making more room for cars, our kids literally can't breathe. It's not worth it, they are worth more than this."
nomorefreewayspdx.com/lidsnotlanes
nomorefreewayspdx.com/lidsnotlanes
@OregonDOT "The science used to support freeway expansions is inaccurate and outdated and should be reevaluated. Portland has seen a record high of vehicular violence in the last year."
nomorefreewayspdx.com/lidsnotlanes
nomorefreewayspdx.com/lidsnotlanes
"The takeaway: Major building blocks were set up for the next Republican gubernatorial candidate. Moving forward, the trick is to find an energetic candidate in 8 years and to have another 3rd party candidate in the election." -Brian Boquist, OR State Senator #orpol
This is from Boquist's latest email newsletter, which I rarely read as it's historically filled with partisan rants, and is a perfect example of how not to be a leader. (2)
I do find it interesting that he's openly acknowledging that Betsy was in the race as a spoiler, and that the way for Repubs to win the governor's race next time is with another spoiler.
WTAF: Photos reveal that the NRA recently rallied with their candidates and THE PROUD BOYS in opposition to a commonsense gun safety ballot measure in Oregon. 🧵 #Measure114 #orpol
Measure 114 is a commonsense measure that would require background checks on all gun sales and prohibit the sale of high capacity magazines that make mass shootings even deadlier. It will appear on Oregon voters’ ballots next week. voteyeson114.org
Unsurprisingly, while the majority of Oregonians and Americans support background checks, the gun lobby has come out against this measure, and has leaned into tired rhetoric – from fear mongering to pretending gun safety laws are unconstitutional – to try and dissuade voters.
Newsweek just published their take on Oregon’s CD6, describing it as a district that Republicans are “close to flipping,” while at the same time neglecting to explain how it’s possible to “flip” a seat that didn’t exist before this election cycle. #orpol
And lest you think the headline is referring to a different district in Oregon, here's the link, which includes Mike Erickson's name in the URL. CD5 is mentioned only in passing, and CD4 isn't mentioned at all. newsweek.com/republicans-cl…
I mean, if you replace the word "flipping" with the word "winning" in the headline, it's a decent-enough birds-eye view of the race in CD6. Still, it's a reminder that local journalists generally have a better handle on these kinds of things.
If PDSC wants to overhaul the system a good first step would be to take the claims of disparate pay by gender & retaliation seriously. After all, attorney Tara Herival won her case against OPDS paying her less in June 2022:
What is the status of the investigation?"Multiple women defense attys have spoken w/ ACLU of Oregon about their experiences...(1) they have faced serious situations of retaliation from OPDS, including multiple situations of retaliation by a leadership-level male employee of OPDS"
"It is extremely concerning that attorneys who are versed in the law and vigorous advocates for their clients are expressing significant levels of fear about sharing [these] concerns," said Sandy Chung, director of @ACLU_OR -- August 2021
portlandmercury.com/news/2021/08/1…
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portlandmercury.com/news/2021/08/1…
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If a defendant is being routed through a "social service navigator" that works for the DA - they are working w/ an agency w/ a conflict of interest. This is a terrible idea. Stop throwing $ at DAs & law enforcement!
Prioritize funding public defense & social services.
#orpol
Prioritize funding public defense & social services.
#orpol
No questions in this article about the studies that show non-prosecution of low-level misdemeanors leads to safer communities. That the court backlog could be immediately reduced by better charging practices by DAs - less overcharging of cases & better settlement offers.
#orpol
#orpol
DAs are not social workers. Neither are police. What is it going to take to stop throwing $ at LE for issues that there are community-based services for but who lack adequate funding? This 🧵 breaks down juvenile justice reform successes:
#orpol
#orpol
Today is a big day for working families in Oregon. Over 100K Oregonians are seeing their wages ⬆ today, no thanks to @senbetsyjohnson who voted against it.
So, let’s talk about Betsy’s history of siding with corporations over working families 🧵 (1/6)
So, let’s talk about Betsy’s history of siding with corporations over working families 🧵 (1/6)
In 2007, Betsy worked to defeat a bill to provide paid family leave to Oregonians. You heard that right, Betsy worked to block legislation to help Oregonians care for their newborn babies and sick family members. (2/6)
In 2015, Betsy voted against legislation to provide earned sick leave to workers.
I guess Betsy doesn’t believe that workers should be able to take time off work when they’re sick. (3/6)
I guess Betsy doesn’t believe that workers should be able to take time off work when they’re sick. (3/6)
Are you following the 2022 Oregon Dem candidates?
Let's get them all some more followers & amplify their voices! Who's with us? #OrPol #WinBlueIn22 #Oregonizers #Oregon #Elections2022
twitter.com/i/lists/146252…
Let's get them all some more followers & amplify their voices! Who's with us? #OrPol #WinBlueIn22 #Oregonizers #Oregon #Elections2022
twitter.com/i/lists/146252…
Debate with 12 Republican candidates for governor hosted by Timber Unity is starting shortly. I’ll share highlights in a thread here. #orgov #orpol
Debate will have eight questions, all about the economy, natural resources and jobs. Because there are so many candidates, they're split into odd and even groups and each group gets four questions with 60 seconds to answer. At the end, candidates can answer a fifth question
Almost done with introductions. Brandon Merritt got some in the crowd to cheer "Let's go, Brandon," which doubles as a cheer for him and an anti-Biden chant.
"...Kurt Schrader, who the AFL-CIO reports has one of the worst labor records of any Democrat in Congress, is starting to see unions get behind his challenger in Oregon’s May 2022 Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District." nwlaborpress.org/2022/03/severa… @nwlaborpress
"United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, which represents 24,000 grocery and other workers, was the first to endorse Jamie McLeod-Skinner’s campaign for Congress." #JamieForOregon @ufcw555
"Now Oregon Education Association (OEA), the 41,000-member teachers union, is also supporting her campaign, after a truly overwhelming 93% vote by delegates to the union’s political action committee." #orpol #CD5 #OR05 #UnionStrong @oregoneducation
Meta news! I'm super excited to start talking about my newest nonprofit project, The Portland Record, a new take on mashing up open source tech with public data for local accountability journalism. portlandrecord.com
We are building The Portland Record in public, so I will have lots more to say as we go. Special thanks to @muckrock for agreeing to fiscally sponsor the project (which amounts to some low grade IRS-facing magic).
Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, we are sniping low-hanging data, with open source-ish tech and gigatons of research on the batpoop things local government does on the web.
I'm checking in from the Oregon House, where in a half hour, we'll learn more about the fate of the state's redistricting maps. It's been suggested to me Republicans could show up today, though that does not guarantee passage of any proposal. #orleg #orpol
New: There’s a new proposed Oregon congressional map. We might well see a deal today. It’s currently unclear. #orpol #orleg
I have been told the state Senate is prepared to come in this afternoon if the House can find agreement. The Senate had formally adjourned but would need to pass changed map #orpol #orleg
Here's the map. An initial analysis suggests this could lead to a 4-2 split in the state's Congressional districts -- not the 5-1 split Democrats had been insistent on. Still looking at it. #orpol #orleg
oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting/…
oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting/…
NEW: House Speaker Tina Kotek is about to back down on her deal to grant Republicans parity on redistricting. She told her caucus today she'll appoint a new committee, with Dems in the majority, to pass a Congressional, plan. #orpol #orleg
Signing in from Salem, where the special session on redistricting has convened. The Senate has reached an agreement on rules suspension, meaning it can move quickly. It's not at all clear the House will get to the same place. #orleg #orpol
opb.org/article/2021/0…
opb.org/article/2021/0…
2.5 hrs in, we're still waiting for... any legislative action at this #orleg special session. The Senate redistricting committee has now delayed a 9:30a hearing twice because things are "not quite ready."
And @Kathleen4Oregon announces another delay for Senate Redistricting Committee. I tried to ask what's going on, and she would only say "I'm good" as she awaited an elevator. Which is an interesting response. #orleg #orpol
