Oregon’s Department of Education was designed at statehood to lead Oregon’s students into adulthood with the educational skills necessary to succeed. But its toolbelt has neither a hammer nor a screwdriver. Instead, it leans heavily on masking tape, Gorilla Glue, and notes of encouragement.
Danielle Bethell, a Marion Couty Commissioner, has neither the name recognition nor financial war chest to be reasonably expected to win the primary vote over her well-funded competitors. That low expectation is her advantage at this time and in this circumstance. But winning in May is not anticipated nor needed. She’s prepping for a longer race.
This week marks 39 years since Edith Green’s passing. Few younger Oregonians likely have heard of her, but many owe their careers at least in part to the grit and determination of a woman who served Oregon for 20 years in the United States Congress.
Not all candidates running under the “R” or “D” label are genetically the same. On the national level, the MAGA faction has displaced the traditional Republican hierarchy while the far left, characterized by the socialist faction, is attempting to do the same within the Democratic Party.
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.
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.
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.
Political events can often get people fired up. Some just get fired. For others, it lights a fire under them to do something dramatic.
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.
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.