Oregon doesn’t have the most admirable history when it comes to systemic racism, but now, and never, is it time to engage in even more of it. Put forth by a group of three Republican Oregon lawmakers, Measure 105 seeks to repeal the 1987 Oregon law that forbids state agencies, including law enforcement, from using […]
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Endorsement: Bend Mayor
Vote Sally Russell
UPDATED: This version has been edited as of Oct. 19. Six people are in the race for Bend’s directly elected mayor. Charles Baer is a local activist who’s added some colorful dialogue in this race. Brian Douglass is a disabilities advocate who believes strongly in a ward system—something we also support in the interest of […]
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Bend Scores Low in LGBTQ Equality
Human Rights Campaign rates eight cities in Oregon
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation—the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization—has released its seventh-annual Municipal Quality Index, assessing LGBTQ equality in 506 cities across the U.S., including eight cities in Oregon. Bend didn’t fare so well. Bend scored 58 out of 100 overall in the findings, released Oct. […]
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Measure 104: Some Things to Know
Measure would require a supermajority for raising fees and other revenue-raising initiatives
When legislators want to raise revenue in the form of new taxes, they have to have a supermajority vote in the legislature. Now, the backers behind Measure 104 want to extend that requirement to anything that would in any way raise revenue—including the raising of fees. Oregon issues more than 2,400 fees—including fees for things […]
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A Primer on Measure 102
Measure aims to tackle one facet of building affordable housing
It’s no secret that many Oregonians are struggling with being able to afford housing. While housing costs have skyrocketed in recent years, wages have not kept pace, forcing people to spend a larger share of their income on housing. According to the Pew Research Center, the real average wage in 2018, accounting for inflation, has […]
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Ballot Measure 103: What’s What
Ballot Measure 103 would prevent the enactment or increase of any state or local tax, fee, or assessment on the sale of groceries. Measure 103 would define groceries as, “raw or processed food or beverages intended for human consumption,” excluding alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Based on the definition, the measure would preempt local governments from […]
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Ballots Get Mailed This Week. Don’t Wait to Mail Them Back.
Depending on where you live, your ballot could take up to a week to get to the county clerk
The buzz of election season is evident in the office of Deschutes County Clerk Nancy Blankenship, who says the season is both thrilling and high-pressure. “It’s exciting. It’s fun because you have a whole lot more interaction with people,” she said. “There’s a whole lot more going on. Depending on what happens—not knowing what shoe […]
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OPB Appearance With Two Mayor Candidates Sparks Outrage
Local candidate blasts radio program for lack of inclusion
Bend Mayoral candidate Brian Douglass wrote an angry email to the executive director of news for Oregon Public Broadcasting, after the media outlet decided to have only two mayoral candidates on a radio program scheduled for Monday. Sally Russell and Bill Moseley were the only two out of the six candidates in the race that […]
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Hummel Appears in Ad Against Measure 105
Deschutes County DA speaks out against repeal of sanctuary law
As the 2018 election season heats up, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel is appearing in a TV ad, speaking out against Measure 105—which would repeal what’s known as Oregon’s “Sanctuary Law.” The existing Oregon law, passed over 30 years ago, makes it illegal to direct local law enforcement resources toward enforcing federal immigration law. […]
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The Times They are a Changin’
Bend-La Pine Schools start times will flip starting next year
Starting next school year, the start times for elementary and secondary schools in Bend-La Pine Schools will flip, meaning grade school kids will be in their seats at around 8am, while middle and high school students will start at about 8:45am. “Because our students’ physical health, emotional well-being and academic success are our priorities, the […]
