Priority Oregon: The Mystery Continues as More Connections to Oregon GOP Emerge
Medium, Molly Woon, DPO

“The latest Priority Oregon ad to hit airwaves attacks Governor Brown for opposing a for-profit hospital with a shady record of patient safety. Among critical details missing in the ad, however, is that the hospital in question, backed by the largest for-profit psychiatric hospital chain in the country, is represented by numerous Oregon GOP political insiders. These connections again raise serious concerns about who is running Priority Oregon, who is paying the bills, and who stands to profit from their twisted version of reality. ”

FYI: This is just the latest in the Priority Oregon saga. The shadowy, far-right group first came onto the scene during the 2017 legislative session, launching attacks against policies that would better fund our schools and services. They have continued their dark-money campaigning against and Gov. Kate Brown (and other issues). But they refuse to disclose even basic information about who sits on their board and funds the organization. Read more about the group here and here.

Democrats, unions declare victory as vote tallies show ‘right to work’ losing by wide margins                        St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“We are hopeful that the outcome of today’s election will put an end to attacks on Missouri’s working families and give our state a fresh start at working together to help and support all Missourians,” noted a statement from the We Are Missouri coalition, comprising labor unions and affiliated organizations. “In every corner of the state, voters rebuked the efforts of powerful, out-of-state corporate interests and dark money to control the future of Missouri’s economy.”

FYI: While most of the national media attention went to Ohio’s 12th congressional district (which was as close as can be) in the buildup to Tuesday’s elections, working families scored a major win in a state that Donald Trump won by 18 points. The GOP’s anti-worker legislation went down by a 2-to-1 margin in an election that was moved up three months under the Republican assumption that progressive turnout would be lower.

Department of Justice says criminal investigation not warranted over Oregon elections complaint              Portland Business Journal

“Oregon’s Department of Justice has concluded a “criminal investigation is not warranted” in regards to an elections complaint that targeted Gov. Kate Brown, Nike Inc. and two of the state’s most powerful labor unions. “There is no information … that any of the named individuals engaged in intimidation, blackmail or extortion,” said Michael Slauson, chief counsel for the Department of Justice, in a letter Wednesday to Stephen Trout, Oregon’s elections director. ”

FYI: This story is a follow-up to a frivolous complaint that drew some media attention last week. Chief petitioners on IP 25 withdrew the measure to focus on two dangerous and unnecessary constitutional amendments — Measures 103 and 104.

Law enforcement leaders back sanctuary law                                                                                                                        Portland Tribune

“As district attorney and sheriff, we are the elected law enforcement leaders in Washington County. One of our primary obligations is to ensure public safety. We believe every member of our community has the right to live, work and raise a family in safety and that an essential aspect of being safe is feeling safe and having access to justice … Through our role as public safety leaders, we are aware of Ballot Measure 105 (formerly known as Initiative Petition 22). This measure seeks to repeal ORS 181A.820, a 31-year-old Oregon law that controls when local law enforcement agencies may use local resources to enforce federal immigration laws. We are compelled to speak because we believe this ballot measure may negatively impact public safety.”

FYI: Garrett and Barton opine here about why Measure 105 is so problematic for law enforcement. They are part of a long and growing list of current and former law enforcement officials that have come out in opposition to Measure 105, which would repeal Oregon’s longstanding sanctuary law.

Women’s rights are on the line – and we’re mobilizing                                                                                                            Clackamas Review

“Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court has put women’s constitutional rights, including access to safe and legal abortion, on the line. Donald Trump made clear that his Supreme Court nominee would “automatically” overturn Roe v. Wade. Kavanaugh has already ruled to limit access to abortion — just last year. He also ruled against women’s access to birth control … Kavanaugh’s nomination is the latest in 18 months of attacks on women’s rights and health care. Since Trump was elected, this administration and Congress have tried time and again to control our bodies and impose their beliefs on people in Oregon. ”

FYI: Sadlou, a Clackamas County field organizer for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, makes the case that we need to push back on attacks on women’s rights not only from the Trump administration, but also here in Oregon. Re-electing Gov. Kate Brown, a champion for progressive reproductive healthcare access, and defeating Measure 106, which would reduce access to care for vulnerable Oregonians and public employees, are key in November.