Commentary
The state is celebrating a big number for education – but other numbers in Oregon warrant attention
“Ain’t nothing ever enough.” That observation, delivered by a union negotiating team member years ago, has stayed with me ever since as an ever-ready description for what goes on in both bargaining and budgeting. The most recent example came in response to a legislative report showing that Oregon has reached a multi-decade high water mark […]
One key to making good use of new federal money in Oregon is public-private partnerships
The scope of the recently passed federal infrastructure bill and its myriad investments is unlike anything we have seen for generations. The funding levels are high, the areas of investment many, and the timelines unknown. What is clear is that the bipartisan infrastructure bill is good for Oregon. Very good. Robust infrastructure investments in Oregon […]
Votes in eastern Oregon to shift to Idaho deserve attention – on both side of the Cascades
The movement to shift big chunks of Oregon into Idaho got another convert earlier this month. Harney County voters put their muscle behind the idea of cutting ties to Oregon and living under the Gem State, favoring the concept 63% to 37%. The local ballot measure is like others passed around the state in the […]
In Oregon, families and their children can’t wait for processes, bureaucracy to get care
It would seem any child experiencing mental health crisis would receive compassionate care, with understanding for how that child and family is impacted by what they are going through. Yet the act of seeking help can be traumatizing. Take the experience I recently learned about from a colleague and friend. She described that it took […]
Quick fixes won’t produce long-term results for kids. Here’s a plan for Oregon.
The Oregon Alliance is a century-old association whose members provide direct care to children, youth, and families in a variety of mental health and addiction treatment settings, including outpatient, therapeutic residential, and in the home and community. Alliance members sit in a unique crossroad where many services, government systems, and people enter a child and […]
Oregon should adapt Paycheck Protection Program to enhance care in behavioral health
As it relates to behavioral health, Oregon sits at a juxtaposition. We recently concluded a legislative session of historic proportions. Never in our history have we enacted impactful policies such as stronger insurance parity requirements while allocating hundreds of millions in new investments for our publicly funded behavioral health system. We closed the 2021 session […]
For the health of Oregonians, state needs to move ahead on tighter controls for diesel trucks
As with so many critical issues, Oregon is at a crossroads with how we move people and goods around. After far too much delay, it’s time to take a new path and examine the impacts transportation has on our health, communities, and climate and how to fix it. There are many obstacles to overcome to […]
Forest accord seen as good for Oregon woodlands, wildlife – but also for how collaboration can work
After nearly a year of negotiations, representatives of timber companies, small forestland owners, and conservation and fishing organizations reached an agreement through the Private Forest Accord. The negotiations were an effort to avoid an expensive and messy fight at the ballot box over competing initiatives around Oregon’s forest laws. The agreement proposes changes to the […]
Deal over Oregon forestlands a historic step to protect environment, help private woodlot owners
Last Saturday will go down in Oregon’s history as a truly remarkable day. In the early hours of the morning, following five long days of intense negotiations that capped off over a year of constructive conversation led by Governor Kate Brown, six negotiating representatives from the forest sector, including myself representing small forest owners, signed […]
Time running out for Oregon families to get life-changing monthly payments
As the pandemic continues into its second year, Oregon families need money in their pockets now to cover the basics – accessing food and buying clothing, or meeting housing, utilities, and education costs. Findings in October from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities show that 89% of low-income families in Oregon are getting relief […]
Your guest commentary welcome – but please heed our guidelines
Through guest commentaries, Oregon Capital Chronicle will provide a safe place for discussion of state issues and policies. We invite you to participate in civil discourse that is informative, engaging and thought provoking. Of particular interest are pieces that consider solutions – how do we as Oregonians fix an issue or progress on better care […]
Oregon should act to slow drain of college talent that is heading out of state
Buried amidst the excitement of our state securing a sixth Congressional district, the 2020 Census data flashed a warning sign for Oregon’s future. For the first time ever, deaths outnumbered births in the state in 2020, leaving Oregon completely dependent on in-migration for population (and, in turn, economic) growth. There are many reasons for this […]