TOP STORIES
Oregon State Bar’s statement on ‘white nationalism’ draws criticism
Oregonian/OregonLive
Two signed statements in the latest Oregon State Bar bulletin – one by the bar condemning speech that incites violence and the other by non-bar specialty groups decrying the rise of the white nationalist movement under President Trump — have drawn fire from some lawyers aghast that the bar would allow such political statements. “I am distressed to learn that my bar dues are being used to promote a left-wing agenda,” wrote Darcia Krause, another Portland lawyer.
Salem police officer resigns after alleged hit-and-run, DUI
Statesman Journal
DUI, criminal mischief and hit-and-run charges were filed against Omar DeMarco, 39, of West Salem, on April 6 — almost two months after he allegedly side-swiped an unoccupied car parked near Glen Creek Park.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Capitol roundup: ‘Oregon Promise’ college grants to reach more students
The Bend Bulletin
Good news for community college students, bad news for legal marijuana sellers, a notable endorsement in the Republican primary for governor, and a big deadline top the collection of start-of-the-week news from the Capitol and around the state.
Portland Burgerville workers approve federally recognized union
Oregonian/OregonLive
Workers at a Burgerville in Southeast Portland overwhelmingly approved the formation of a federally-recognized union, making them the first to do so since a fast-food labor fight erupted nationally five years ago.
ELECTIONS
Labor commissioner: Elected or appointed?
The Portland Tribune
Should the commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries be elected or appointed? While technically a nonpartisan position, some critics argue that elections politicize the office, lead to partisan policies and detract from the professionalism of the role.
Salem attorney says Senate candidate is making false claims
The Portland Tribune
A Salem attorney is alleging a Washington County candidate for state Senate has improperly portrayed himself as a Certified Public Accountant.
Buehler Looks To November As Other Republicans Question His Conservatism
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Buehler’s campaign team remains confident of victory in the Republican primary. But there are 10 candidates in the race and two of them in particular – retired U.S. Navy aviator Greg Wooldridge and Bend businessman Sam Carpenter – appear to be mounting the strongest challenges.
East Portland Senate Race Could Change Oregon’s Housing Laws
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Monroe has earned the ire of tenant-right advocates who are upset he didn’t support an effort to overturn a statewide ban on rent control. As a result, he’s engaged in a fierce primary battle in East Portland to keep the job he’s held off and on for decades.
Six candidates vying for East Lane seat on county Board of Commissioners
The Register-Guard
The six-candidate race for the East Lane seat on the Lane County Board of Commissioners is the most crowded campaign in a local election since seven candidates vied for a Springfield City Council race in 2010.
GUNS
Mental health and guns an issue after Waffle House attack
Mail Tribune
Signs of paranoid delusions continued: In August, Reinking told police he wanted to file a report about 20 to 30 people tapping into his computer and phone and people “barking like dogs” outside his residence, according to a report. “There’s certainly evidence that there’s some sort of mental health issues involved,” Tazewell County Sheriff Robert Huston said.
Ballot measure would ban gun control
The Associated Press
The proposed Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance was filed with the Deschutes County clerk last week. It would empower the county sheriff to review federal, state and local laws and determine whether they violate the U.S. or Oregon constitutions.
ENVIRONMENT
Tensions rise at KID; Irrigators allege water mismanagement
Herald and News
Despite some hope of a favorable decision for irrigators, tensions reached near boiling point Monday morning as patrons at KID and board member Grant Knoll demanded answers from the BOR. “The bureau is not managing the water,” Knoll said. “We’re demanding management.”
Controlled burn shrouds Bend in smoke Monday morning
The Bend Bulletin
The prescribed burn was part of the Forest Service’s effort to reduce fuel for wildfires later this summer. Alex Enna, prescribed fire manager for the Deschutes National Forest, said the burn was particularly vital, given the parcel’s proximity to Bend and the amount of fuel that had built up in the area.
Forest Service considers limits on some Cascades wilderness areas
Herald and News
Federal officials are taking public comments on management strategies for five central Oregon wilderness areas that include possible restrictions on the number of visitors. The U.S. Forest Service on Thursday released its draft “Central Cascades Wilderness Strategies Project”, The Bulletin reported.
Clackamas Eyeglass Maker To Pay $750,000 For Discharging Hazardous Waste
Oregon Public Broadcasting
“By failing to disclose its discharges to Clackamas County, the company operated completely outside pretreatment regulations for years,” the U.S. Attorney for Oregon’s office said in a release. In January, the company pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Clean Water Act.
EDUCATION
School district shakes up central office staff – cuts 35
The Portland Tribune
Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero is following through on his promises to slash the administrative budget in Portland Public Schools. The effect is continued churn in the district’s administrative positions with 35 positions being eliminated and a restructuring of several departments.
PPS Cuts Jobs At Central Office As Key Leaders Resign
Oregon Public Broadcasting
The central office cuts come as the district intends a net increase of 21 positions at its schools. Portland also has to fund pay raises for teachers in the contract it settled earlier this year.
OPINION
Reschke only represents the local area gun owners
Herald and News
Most people want assault weapons and military style guns banned, not guns for hunting and self-defense and we want universal background checks to be expanded to include gun shows.
Our view: Moderate candidates offer best challenge to incumbents
East Oregonian
If Republicans want the best chance to win the governorship in November, they should vote for Buehler this May.
Editorial: Deschutes voters should choose Baney, DeBone
The Bend Bulletin Editorial Board
Tony DeBone, of La Pine, holds the Position 1 seat, while Tammy Baney, of Bend, is the Position 3 seatholder. They’re opposed by Ed Barbeau and Patti Adair, respectively. The two incumbents, DeBone and Baney, are the better choices to serve the county.
ICE harvests bitter fruit of dehumanization
The Register-Guard
This is an issue ripe for more rigorous congressional oversight — even an independent commission to investigate charges of physical and sexual abuse in the ICE system. But this would require a critical mass of elected Republicans to give a damn about the rights and dignity of migrants. It is a distant dream.