HOUSE REPUBLICAN OFFICE
STATE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
‘Culture needs to change,’ senator says
The Associated Press
Gelser told Oregon Public Radio’s “Think Out Loud” program that the women told her about various offensive behavior. “It can be anything from being touched too long, having a hand on your thigh either above or below your skirt, and what someone believes is just a friendly way, that hand around the shoulder and the fingers beneath your shirt … or someone that is talking to you so close that your ear is wet when you step away,” she said. Women have been touched “under the dais at a committee hearing, and, you know, it’s happened on the floor of our chambers, and that is not appropriate,” Gelser added.
Oregon State Senator Says She Was Sexually Harassed By Fellow Lawmaker
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Gelser said female lobbyists and legislative staffers have also experienced sexual harassment at the Oregon Capitol. “I hope that what comes of this discussion is that it’s not about a set of experiences that I had, but about a culture that needs to change,” she said.
State senator: Fellow senator groped me in Oregon Capitol
The Oregonian
Kruse did not respond to multiple requests for comment Monday. But he told the Roseburg News Review Monday that he doesn’t recall touching Gelser more than by giving her a side hug, which he did not find inappropriate. He also told the Roseburg paper he has no intention of resigning.
Former Legislative Lawyer Files Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Her Former Boss Alleging Retaliation, Improper Termination
Willamette Week
The lawsuit, filed by Gail Stevens in Marion County Circuit Court, alleges that in March 2017, Johnson “terminated [Stevens] from her position with the Office of Legislative Counsel for reporting mismanagement, opposing and reporting unlawful practices, discussing wages and opposing pay inequity.”
Major Shake-Up In Oregon Senate As 2 Longtime Leaders Leave
Oregon Public Broadcasting
“I can say with all sincerity that I will miss them both,” said Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland. “They have both been incredible participants in the process.” For Burdick, Ferrioli’s departure also means the loss of a long-time political rival. Burdick serves as the Senate majority leader opposite Ferrioli’s role as head of the smaller Republican caucus.
Gov. Kate Brown Makes It Official: State Senators Devlin and Ferroli Will Get Fivefold Pay Increase and Big Pension Boost
Willamette Week
Oregon’s council members currently get paid $119,988 a year—more than five times the modest $22,000 salary Oregon pays its lawmakers. The money to fund the council comes from the Bonneville Power Administration, Harrison says. But unlike other states, Oregon routes the BPA money through a state agency, the Oregon Department of Energy. That means because their paychecks will come from the state, the two state senators will get big boosts to their accounts with the Public Employees Retirement System.
Some services restored as strike hits second week
Register-Guard
County officials said some health, veterans and land-management services resumed normal operations Monday, as the number of AFSCME-represented employees reporting for work reached 151.
Oregon launches retirement savings plan
Portland Tribune
The program, which will phase in over three years, is intended to reach about 1 million Oregon workers at 64,000 businesses who now have no access to a retirement savings plan at work. Nationally, 55 million workers fall into that category.
ELECTIONS
Democratic State Rep. Janelle Bynum plans re-election run in 2018
Portland Tribune
“I plan to file for re-election to the best job I have ever had: representing Oregon House District 51,” Bynum said in a press release. “While I’m incredibly proud of what we have been able to accomplish so far, there is still so much more to do, more key investments to make and more opportunity to pass on.”
Rep. Rayfield announces re-election bid
Gazette Times
“We have made significant steps forward in Oregon but there is still a lot of work left on the table,” Rayfield said. “It is an honor to represent this community in the Oregon House. I am excited to continue our work improving elections, fighting for high-quality health care, creating good-paying jobs and preserving our environment for future generations.”
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Solar energy company commits $1B to Oregon
Bend Bulletin
Company officials say they try their best to hire local workers to build the farms and believe the projects will create “hundreds of good-paying jobs” in Marion and Polk counties.
EDUCATION
Sprague High School teacher on leave after allegedly bringing gun to school
Statesman Journal
Assistant Principal Lillian White shared details of the incident with parents and employees via autodial message Friday. “Earlier today, some of our students reported seeing one of our employees with what appeared to be a concealed weapon,” White said. “While this may be legal, Salem-Keizer Schools policy prohibits any employee or student from possessing any item like this on school property, regardless of permit status.” It is unclear if Johnston had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Environmental group blocks path to timber sale
Register-Guard
Eugene-based Cascadia Forest Defenders announced Monday it had installed the roadblock after organizing tree sitting protests since the start of summer, all to demonstrate objections to the Goose Project in the Willamette National Forest.
OPINION
Editorial: Students aren’t showing up
Register-Guard
Parents must also do what they can to ensure that their children get to school and stay there. Students can’t learn unless they are present to be taught, and they can’t graduate from schools they do not attend.