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Blue state Republicans move to strike this ‘catastrophic’ drug law they say is wreaking havoc on communities

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Blue state Republicans move to strike this ‘catastrophic’ drug law they say is wreaking havoc on communities

Oregon House Republicans are sharing their plan to end the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization experiment at the same time Democratic lawmakers are weighing a more modest re-criminalization proposal. 

“The citizens of Oregon understand the failures of Measure 110,” Rep. Rick Lewis, one of the chief sponsors of the GOP bill, said in a statement. “We see the results on the streets, in the unacceptable overdose death rate and in the catastrophic consequences to our communities, to public safety and to livability. Change is needed, and we can’t afford to take small steps that fail to adequately address the problem.”

A man smokes on the sidewalk in Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 10, 2024. Both Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature have signaled plans to roll back the drug decriminalization law passed by voters three years ago. (Hannah Ray Lambert/Fox News Digital)

‘ENORMOUS MISTAKE’: BUSINESS LEADERS, RESIDENTS FED UP WITH BLUE STATE DRUG LAWS ISSUE 2024 ULTIMATUM

About 58% of Oregon voters passed Measure 110 in 2020, decriminalizing small amounts of all drugs and redirecting much of the state’s marijuana tax revenue to fund grants for addiction services.

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Since then, addiction and overdose deaths have skyrocketed in Oregon and nationwide as fentanyl swept across the country. Now, three years into the first-of-its-kind law, numerous polls show Oregonians favor re-criminalizing hard drugs and making treatment required, not voluntary, as a jail alternative.

The Republican bill would make possession of drugs like fentanyl, heroin and meth a Class A misdemeanor and would require treatment to avoid jail. If convicted, drug users could face up to a year in jail, a $6,250 fine, or both.

“Enabling people to live on the streets and poison themselves is not compassionate,” Rep. Tracy Cramer said in a statement.

The bill would also ban public drug use and set harsher prison sentences for drug dealers, especially if they sell drugs that result in a person’s death.

PORTLAND WOMAN KNOCKED OUT BY ATTACKER BLAMES CITY FOR SLOW POLICE RESPONSE: ‘WE DID THIS TO OURSELVES’

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Democrats, who control both chambers of the state legislature, have also signaled a desire to roll back parts of Measure 110 during their upcoming 35-day legislative session. One possibility is making possession a Class C misdemeanor, the lowest crime classification.

But reform advocates staunchly oppose re-criminalizing drugs.

“Any action by the Oregon legislature that criminalizes addiction would be cruel, harmful, and a failure of leadership,” read a statement from the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Health Justice Recovery Alliance and other groups supporting Measure 110.

“We cannot regress back to the failed war on drug tactics that harm Black, brown, and poor people and make drug addiction, overdose deaths, and homelessness more difficult and expensive to solve,” the statement continued.

WATCH: PORTLAND POLICE RECKON WITH “EXPLOSION” OF OPEN-AIR DRUG USE:

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

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In Portland, where the effects of Oregon’s drug laws are most stark, city officials have been urging the state to take action.

“We need to give tools to our first responders so they can take action,” City Commissioner Dan Ryan told Fox News on Thursday. “If someone is smoking fentanyl in public and it’s causing harm to those who are trying to access the sidewalk, then the police need to be able to respond to that … It’s just common sense.”

Portland’s City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning public drug use in September. But city officials said the law couldn’t go into effect until state lawmakers pass a new law allowing them to enforce it.

Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber told the Capital Chronicle that Democrats are working with Republicans to “put together a proposal that connects people to addiction treatment, gets drugs off our streets, and keeps our communities safe.”

“We know we cannot go back to the failed war on drugs, and we cannot continue to allow Oregonians to die of drug overdoses on our streets,” Lieber said in a statement to the outlet. “A policy has not been finalized, but once we do have a proposal to put forward, we look forward to thoroughly vetting the ideas through a public process.”

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Needles, foil and other drug paraphernalia filled a woman’s tent in downtown Portland in July 2023. Lawmakers in the state are considering re-criminalizing drug possession and making treatment mandatory as an alternative to jail. (Hannah Ray Lambert/Fox News Digital)

The short session begins Feb. 5.

A coalition of political and business leaders in Oregon have also lobbied the legislature to reform Measure 110 and promises to send a ballot measure to the voters if lawmakers don’t take action next month.

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San Francisco, CA

Relay for America runs flag from San Francisco to D.C. in message of unity

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Relay for America runs flag from San Francisco to D.C. in message of unity


Relay for America ran the American flag from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., this week to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. They did it nonstop for 20 days and nights for more than 3,000 miles on a mission of unity heading to the Fourth of July. Tony Dokoupil has the story.



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Denver, CO

Aldi expanding into Colorado, applies for permits at two Denver locations

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Aldi expanding into Colorado, applies for permits at two Denver locations


The global discount supermarket chain Aldi recently announced plans to expand into the Colorado market, opening 50 stores within the next two years. According to Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center, the grocery chain has applied for permits at two locations in the city.



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Seattle, WA

Seattle Storm lose 77-72 to Fire behind Carla Leite’s 20 points

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Seattle Storm lose 77-72 to Fire behind Carla Leite’s 20 points


SEATTLE, WA – JULY 4: Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Fire on July 4, 2026 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. (David Ryder / NBAE / Getty Images)

Carla Leite scored 20 points to lead the Portland Fire to a 77-72 victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday night.

Leite made 4 of 8 shots and all 12 of her free throws, adding four assists for Portland (9-12). Bridget Carleton totaled 14 points and seven rebounds, while Megan Gustafson added 10 points and nine boards.

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Dominique Malonga had 22 points to pace Seattle (5-17) and Natisha Hiedeman scored 15. Awa Fam had 12 points, while fellow rookie Flau’jae Johnson was held to a season-low one point.

Leite had two three-point plays to start the third quarter and Frieda Buhner came off the bench to score all nine of her points over a six-minute span as Portland turned a 32-30 halftime lead into a 54-47 advantage. Gustafson sank a 3-pointer for a 41-38 lead and the Fire never trailed again.

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Emily Engstler had all nine of her points and six of her eight rebounds by halftime, helping Portland outscore Seattle 22-10 in the second period for a two-point lead at the break.

Hiedeman had nine points in the first quarter and Seattle used a 13-2 run over the final 5:27 to take a 20-10 lead before falling to 0-12 against Western Conference opponents this season.

Portland went 1-3 on a four-game trip.

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Up next

Seattle: At Los Angeles Sparks on Monday.

Portland: Hosts Las Vegas Aces on Thursday.

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The Source: Information in this story came from The Associated Press.

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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

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