And Down the Stretch They Come!
May is Kentucky Derby time. Mint juleps, flowery bonnets, and thundering hooves. Oregon has its own derby of sorts this May, as candidates break out of the gate and jockey for position to be the state’s next Governor.
Entries by Rick Metsger
Economic Prosperity Flying Under the Radar
Ballooning travel demand has found the Eugene airport at full capacity since 2021. Airlines are eager to add the Mid-Valley airport to some of their long-haul destinations, and businesses and institutions like the University of Oregon are clamoring for easier travel access.
A Vaccine for Partisanship
Jonas Salk invented the vaccine to prevent polio, Edward Jenner helped curb smallpox, and John Enders put the brakes on the measles. But it took Republicans and Democrats working together to inoculate against the scariest disease in politics — competition.
Politics Lights a Fire in Hank Sanders
Political events can often get people fired up. Some just get fired. For others, it lights a fire under them to do something dramatic.
The Day the Daylight Died
When Oregon’s Senate rules revealed a mysterious gap that’s lingered for nearly 20 years, it traced back to a quiet but dramatic stand by the late Sen. Avel Gordly. As partisanship rose and transparency faded, Gordly chose principle over party, leaving a lasting mark on the Legislature’s commitment to open government.
Access or Excess?
Legislative leadership believes that time has come and have introduced HB 4002 to limit the number of bills legislators can request be drafted by Legislative Counsel. As in the game of golf, the more strokes you take is not a sign of productivity.
Death of the Oregon Health Plan?
The foundation of the Oregon Health Plan was the Prioritized List, which ranked covered medical services based on their cost effectiveness coupled with proven medical science efficacy. Now leadership at the Oregon Health Authority has brought forth HB 4003 to eliminate the list from everywhere in statute they can find.
Discontent Over the Disconnect
Public employee unions are among those demanding legislators disconnect from the tax provisions of the federal legislation when it comes to assessing state income taxes on Oregonians. Doing so will help decrease the deficit now facing legislators as they try and save key programs and services from further reductions.
Peter Wong Honored with Naming of New Capitol Press Room
Peter Wong, who began his Oregon journalism career in 1979 at the Roseburg News-Review and later gravitated to cover state politics in Salem, was honored for his more than four decades as the public’s watchful eye, with the announcement that the new press room at the Capitol is being named in his honor.
When It Comes to the Republican Primary for Governor, the Ds Have It
Christine Drazan, the Republican nominee in 2022, has been considered the front-runner for a cage-match rematch with incumbent Governor Tina Kotek, but a couple of other D’s may soon be added to the card — specifically, Diehl and Dudley.