SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce regulations against the homeless sleeping on public property draw a somewhat predictable mix of reactions from Oregon officials, with a housing agency official calling it “devastating” and Democratic lawmakers saying it does nothing to solve the crisis while top Republican lawmakers celebrated a clearer path to stronger regulations.

Here are their news releases, in full:

Oregon Housing and Community Services responds to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling allowing cities to ban people from sleeping outdoors
Oregon Housing and Community Services – 06/28/24 1:40 PM

The United States Supreme Court made its ruling today in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. In response to the decision, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Andrea Bell issued the following statement.

“For many, we knew this day was coming, and yet it is still devastating. This is a wake-up call for all of us – cities in particular. We cannot succumb to cynicism or confuse this ruling as a mandate. Many of us have either experienced the struggle to make ends meet or know someone who has. In the face of this shared reality, out-of-sight, out-of-mind positions that criminalize sleeping or sheltering in public spaces only exacerbates the experiences of homelessness.

“OHCS’ position remains unchanged – we reject homelessness as an inevitable outcome. Every person, regardless of their background or where they come from, deserves a place to call home. Oregon’s shared values serve as a guidepost of hope and progress. In cities, suburbs, and rural towns across the state, our economies and communities are strongest when everyone’s fundamental needs are met. To the people of Oregon struggling to get by: We see you. We value your life. We will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf.”

In 2023, Oregon prevented more than 9,000 households from becoming homeless, created over 1,000 new shelter beds, and helped some 2,000 people move from homeless to housed. This was done in partnership with Governor Tina Kotek, the Oregon Legislature, numerous state agencies, and many local community partners who implemented the funding and policy developed through the Governor’s homelessness state of emergency (EO 23-02) and the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package (HB 2001 and HB 5019, 2023).

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.

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Legislative Action Must Follow Supreme Court’s Common-Sense Grants Pass v. Johnson Decision

SALEM, Ore. – Today, Senate Republicans celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, a ruling that stands as a victory for the rule of law and the well-being of our communities. This decision recognizes the critical need for local governments to manage public spaces effectively, ensuring safety and order for all citizens.

The Court’s ruling supports the City of Grants Pass’s right to enforce ordinances that prevent public spaces from becoming unsafe and unsanitary. By upholding these regulations, the Court has validated the efforts of municipalities to protect their communities while safety and dignity of people experiencing homelessness.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, in a recent KGW interview, emphasized the need for legislative action: “Unless the legislature decides to revisit the law that HB 3115 enacted, no one in Portland is going to see sweeping policy changes after the Supreme Court issues its decision.”

HB 3115 (2021) was a reactionary piece of legislation by Democrats in response to a misguided court opinion by the Ninth Circuit. This law has suffocated local jurisdictions’ efforts to keep their communities safe. It is essential that the Legislature acts promptly to ensure state laws align with the Supreme Court’s decision, allowing for sensible, community-focused solutions that maintain public safety and health without infringing on individual rights.

“Despite the Supreme Court’s common sense ruling today, Democrats’ ‘Right to Camp’ law will continue to hamper local governments’ ability to address homelessness effectively,” said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). “The Legislature should immediately provide clarity to our local governments as they work to reduce homelessness in their communities by taking action on HB 3115. This time, cities and counties that are most affected should be at the table, leading the discussions on what is best for their local jurisdictions. We stand ready to pass legislation that balances the interests of all residents – whether they are in a home or seeking shelter, utilizing both compassion and pragmatism to ensure our public spaces are safe, clean, and accessible for everyone.”

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Leader Helfrich Responds to City of Grants Pass V. Johnson

SALEM, Ore. – In response to today’s Supreme Court of the United States ruling in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case, House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich issued the following statement.

“Our parks were never meant to be campgrounds, and now our cities can finally begin restoring our communities’ public spaces,” said Leader Helfrich. “The Supreme Court’s ruling is a victory for common sense and highlights what conservative leadership looks like.”

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Statement from House and Senate Housing Chairs Following U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson

Building more housing, preventing homelessness remain top priorities

SALEM, OR – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court released its ruling in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, saying city laws aimed at banning homeless residents from sleeping outdoors did not violate the Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Senator Kayse Jama (D – Portland), chair of the Senate Housing and Development Committee, and Representative Pam Marsh (D – Ashland), chair of the House Housing and Homelessness Committee, released the following statement on how this decision will impact housing policy in Oregon:

“Our goal remains making sure every Oregonian has access to safe, affordable housing so no one has to resort to sleeping on the streets. Homelessness will be solved by building more housing, supporting shelters and programs to get people on the path out of homelessness. 

Local jurisdictions have a duty to maintain livability for everyone in their communities – and, importantly, there needs to be a reasonable balance between those concerns and the reality that too many Oregonians don’t have anywhere safe to sleep. Today’s Supreme Court ruling does nothing to solve the housing and homelessness crisis in Oregon. The legislature remains focused on addressing the root causes of homelessness, increasing the housing supply, and funding programs that help get people on a path out of houselessness.”

The Oregon legislature passed significant legislation to address the root causes of the housing and homelessness crisis at the state level. This includes the Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package passed earlier this year, which made a $376 investment in expanding affordable housing and shelter supports and enacted policies that doubled down on the $2 billion housing package passed in 2023.

Former Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard will get his shot at NBA Summer League.

After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, Couisnard signed a summer league contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to multiple reports Friday.

Couisnard averaged 16.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his final season at Oregon, his sixth in college basketball. Prior to his two seasons at Oregon, Couisnard played four seasons at South Carolina.

The 25-year-old will have a chance to audition for either an NBA or international contract at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas July 12-22.

Couisnard’s former Oregon teammate, N’Faly Dante, also went undrafted and signed a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

— Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference for The Oregonian and co-hosts the Soccer Made in Portland and Ducks Confidential podcasts. He can be reached at rclarke@oregonian.com or @RyanTClarke.

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The commission said its analysis would be different if Aimee Kotek Wilson received a salary or other private benefits

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has decided against launching a full investigation into complaints concerning Gov. Tina Kotek and her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson.

At a meeting on Friday, the agency examined the preliminary report on the case involving a potential Office of the First Spouse before determining that the governor did not violate any ethics laws — including those on conflicts of interest or nepotism.

“We note that had the Governor unilaterally decided to provide the First Lady with a salary or other private benefits, the above analysis would be different,” the commission wrote in its preliminary review. “The analysis would also be different if there was any suggestion that the public duties of the First Lady could financially benefit a private business with which the First Lady was associated.”

In late March, news broke that Kotek Wilson had an office in the governor’s base of operations at the state library and an on-loan staffer from the Department of Administration Services. With a master’s degree in social work, the First Lady was also known to attend official meetings regarding behavioral health.

The following week, the governor clarified that her wife was solely an “unpaid volunteer with both lived and professional experience.” Kotek also announced she had asked the Ethics Commission for guidance on a potential Office of the First Spouse, but the commission later said it couldn’t advise her because of its plans to review complaints on the same matter.

Subsequently, the governor abandoned plans to create the First Lady’s office.

“After listening to and reflecting on the concerns of Oregonians who have contacted my office, as well as the advice of staff, I want to be clear about next steps: There will not be an Office of the First Spouse,” Kotek said.

The announcement came after her office released several emails from senior staff members who abruptly left their positions earlier in the year. In one email, Kotek’s former Chief of Staff Andrea Cooper said she was “asked not to attend” a meeting where events were added to Kotek Wilson’s calendar.