Oregon
Kotek presses to divert money from Oregon reserves on 100th day in office – Oregon Capital Chronicle
Gov. Tina Kotek and legislative Democrats clashed Wednesday over spending, amplifying their first main battle since she took workplace in January.
At a press convention marking her one centesimal day in workplace, Kotek doubled down on requires the Legislature to divert a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} meant for the state’s financial savings account to as a substitute pay for inexpensive housing, literacy applications and behavioral well being.
However legislative price range writers, who’re planning a good price range with reductions to state company funding and solely about $325 million in discretionary funding for Democratic priorities together with housing, homelessness, well being care, literacy applications and public protection companies, stay skeptical. In a separate information convention, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, a Portland Democrat and co-chair of the Joint Methods and Means Committee, burdened the significance of preserving sturdy reserves to organize for a pending recession.
On the State Library in Salem, Kotek stated she’ll proceed to push legislators to forego including more cash to the state’s reserve funds, which now whole greater than $2 billion. Diverting cash from the state’s Wet Day Fund within the present and upcoming two-year price range cycle would liberate about $600 million, which Kotek stated needs to be used for housing, literacy and behavioral well being.
“A established order price range, or worse, a reduce price range, is totally unacceptable for the 2 years forward of us,” Kotek stated.
She’s particularly calling for not less than $300 million in new spending on homelessness, along with the $200 million lawmakers permitted earlier this yr. Kotek’s additionally searching for $120 million for literacy applications – which she described because the minimal the state ought to spend as fewer than 30% of Oregon fourth graders show proficiency in studying on standardized checks.
And he or she’s searching for about $80 million in extra funding for the state’s behavioral well being program, together with cash to recruit and retain behavioral well being suppliers.
Kotek can also be calling on legislators to make use of $1 billion in state bonding capability – greater than half the quantity the state Treasury says the state can provide in bonds throughout the subsequent two years – to construct extra inexpensive housing. Lawmakers on the Joint Transportation Committee wish to commit $1 billion in bonds over the following eight years to changing the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River.
Kotek doesn’t plan to the touch the state’s kicker tax rebate, paid out within the type of tax credit when revenues collected exceed official projections. Almost $4 billion is anticipated to be returned to taxpayers once they file taxes subsequent yr, with a median credit score of $790 and credit as excessive as $42,000 for the highest 1% of earners who make greater than $566,000 yearly.
Legislators skeptical
Steiner, speaking to reporters with Senate President Rob Wagner afterward Wednesday, stated the state wants fiscally conservative budgets.
“I’ve nice religion within the U.S. financial system, and we’re lengthy overdue from a historic perspective for an financial downturn,” she stated.
State economists final yr predicted {that a} “gentle” recession would begin this summer time. They moved away from forecasting a recession throughout their February briefing, however nonetheless urged warning within the face of an unsure financial local weather. The last word price range for the following two years shall be primarily based on the Might financial forecast, with a report and legislative briefing schedule for Might 17.
Steiner recalled how the Beaverton College District in her legislative district had as many as 45 college students in some school rooms throughout her first yr in workplace in 2012 as a result of it had spent its reserves. She stated she by no means wished to see one thing comparable occur within the state, particularly not beneath her watch as co-chair of the price range committee.
She stated there could possibly be an argument in favor of spending some cash now to economize in the long run – one thing Steiner, a doctor, in comparison with preventive care to stave off worse well being situations down the road – however stated the state must be considerate.
“It’s a official dialog,” she stated. “ I’m not saying no, and I’m not saying I’m desperate to do it.”
Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, stated he pushed again on Kotek’s options to divert cash from wet day funds in a dialog earlier this week. It’s too early to speak about dipping into reserves, he stated.
“Fairly than presuming that we’re going to take a look at explicit funds to have the ability to fund important public companies, let’s determine how a lot cash we’ve got,” he stated.
Home Speaker Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, reiterated throughout a gathering with reporters final week that he’s open to diverting some cash from the state’s reserve funds. Home Majority Chief Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, advised the Capital Chronicle in a Wednesday interview that conservative budgeting is essential, and the Might forecast will decide how a lot will be spent.
“No matter what occurs within the Might forecast or the selections round reserves, we’re dedicated to investing in these huge priorities round housing and homelessness and behavioral well being and schooling,” Fahey stated. “The magnitude of these investments are depending on what the Might income forecast tells us.”
Nation’s least standard governor
Kotek’s hundredth day in workplace coincided with the discharge of a new ballot from know-how firm Morning Seek the advice of, which discovered she’s the least standard governor within the nation. Former Gov. Kate Brown repeatedly held that title.
Kotek is one in all 5 governors with an approval ranking beneath 50%. 4 of the 5, together with Kotek, had been elected final yr: Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona and Republican Govs. Joe Lombardo of Nevada and Jim Pillen of Nebraska.
All 4 had been rated low partially as a result of individuals haven’t made up their minds. Whereas 42% of respondents stated they permitted of Kotek, 39% stated they disapproved. That left virtually 20% of respondents saying they didn’t know concerning the governor or had no opinion.
Kotek stated she hadn’t seen the Morning Seek the advice of ballot, however {that a} prior survey from Portland-based DHM Analysis confirmed many Oregonians don’t know her.
“It’s going to take a while however we’ve solely been at this 100 days,” she stated. “I’m assured that as we proceed to speak with Oregonians in quite a lot of methods, they’ll get to know me higher and I hope they’ll like what I’m doing.”
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Oregon
Powerball ticket worth $328.5 million sold in Oregon
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The first Powerball jackpot of 2025 was sold in Oregon and is worth $328.5 million, according to lottery officials.
The winner purchased the winning ticket in Beaverton on Thursday, Jan. 17, the Oregon Lottery said. The retail location will not be revealed until a winner has come forward.
The winning numbers for the Saturday drawing were: 14, 31, 35, 64 and 69 and Powerball 23.
The winner has a year to claim their prize, Oregon Lottery spokesperson Melanie Mesaros said. After the winning ticket is presented, “it will take time before a winner can be identified due to security and payment processes.”
Oregon lottery winners, with few exceptions, cannot remain anonymous, Mesaros said.
The winner will have a choice between an annuitized prize of $328.5 million or a lump-sum payment of $146.4 million, according to lottery officials, which are both options before taxes.
Last year, the largest Powerball prize won in Oregon — a $1.3 billion jackpot — was split between a Portland man, his wife, and friend.
Before Saturday, the most recent Powerball jackpot was sold in December in New York and was worth $256 million.
Powerball is a multi-state jackpot operated by 44 states, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Fernando Cervantes Jr., a news reporter for USA TODAY, contributed to this story.
Cherrill Crosby is the executive editor of the Statesman Journal and The Register-Guard. Reach her at crosbyc@gannett.com
Oregon
Oregon’s Dan Lanning visits 5-star recruit Cantwell, top TE Premer during Midwest run
Oregon head football coach Dan Lanning has been a busy man.
But when you’re the man tasked with running one of the top college football programs in the country, burning jet fuel to shake hands and take photos is a big part of the gig. And Lanning was doing plenty of that last week.
A native of Kansas City, Mo., Lanning returned home last week on a two-day tear recruiting some of the top 2026 prospects in the country.
Lanning’s known stops included Lee’s Summit on Jan. 16, where the Tigers have 2027 interior line prospect Zach Harsha (6-5, 260) and 2028 tight end Max Trillo (6-4, 225).
He was even busier the following day. He had stops at Raymore-Peculiar, where he visited with and offered four-star uncommitted running back DeZephen Walker (6-0, 205) who is believed to be heavily considering Kansas and Nebraska.
He also headed to Illinois, where he swung by Lincoln-Way East to visit with quarterback Jonas Williams, who agreed with the Ducks on Aug. 3, 2024,
A trip to the Springfield, Mo. area was also on the docket, as Lanning traveled to Nixa High School to again meet with the country’s No. 1 2026 offensive lineman, Jackson Cantwell, on Jan. 16. The 6-8, 315 offensive tackle has offers from just about everyone in the country, though he has spoken highly of Lanning and his relationship with the Ducks coach – making Oregon one of the favorites for his services.
Cantwell was honored by the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 18 during their AFC Divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans after he was selected to represent the Chiefs at the ‘Nike Ones’ showcase during Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans.
Lanning concluded his trip with a little basketball in Hutchinson, Kan., where he watched Great Bend tight end Ian Premer (6-6, 215) – the top tight end in the 2026 class – take on Hutchinson. Premer, a three-sport star in football, basketball and baseball, impressed with 22 points in the game.
The Midwest swing adds to a busy month for Lanning, who also has been spotted with Utah No. 1 athlete Salasi Moa and recently secured a visit with top 2026 quarterback and Nashville native Jared Curtis.
Oregon
People with disabilities are extra vulnerable in major disasters like wildfires, says Oregon advocate
Jake Cornett, Executive Director and CEO of the advocacy group Disability Rights Oregon, says he will forever be haunted by Ashlyn Maddox’s death during the 2021 Oregon heat wave.
The Portland woman, 36, was disabled and living in a group foster home. She was dropped off by a medical transport company, but the company didn’t make sure she made it safely into her air-conditioned home. She ended up wandering around for hours in the heat, and died only 50 feet from safety.
Cornett says, “These deaths are preventable with the right planning, the right strategy for mitigation, the right preparedness and a response plan that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and respects the needs of people with disabilities.”
Cornett spoke with “All Things Considered” host Geoff Norcross about Oregon’s ability to help people with disabilities during a natural disaster, such as the deadly wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
Geoff Norcross: If we were to transport those fires in Southern California here, would we see a similar catastrophe for people with disabilities?
Jake Cornett: Surely, we fear that the same disasters we’ve seen play out in the catastrophes in the lives of people with disabilities in LA would play out right here in Oregon as well. And I don’t think this is just a theoretical question. It’s only a matter of time before we have major wildfires along Highway 20, very close by in Portland and in other major cities throughout our state.
Norcross: What is the obligation of local governments to provide for people with disabilities when disaster strikes? I guess I’m asking if the Americans with Disabilities Act applies here.
Cornett: Absolutely. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that cities, counties, the state and the federal government are taking into account what the needs are of people with disabilities, and providing accommodations for those needs when engaging in disaster planning.
Norcross: Getting information out to people quickly in a disaster is so critical, especially for something that’s as fast-moving as the LA wildfires. For people who are deaf or blind, can you talk about how that’s extra complicated?
Cornett: Absolutely. You know, emergency response notification systems that happen on your phone are a great tool if you have a phone, or if you have the technology to make your phone provide you the information you need. And that’s particularly important for folks who are blind.
I think about a blind person who may not have the same visual access to information as others. If police run around your neighborhood and put a notice on your door that says “get out of town, there’s an evacuation order, you’re under wildfire threat,” that notice on your door might not be enough because you can’t access that information.
And this is where cities, counties and the state really have an obligation to adjust to how they communicate so that it’s effective for all people with disabilities.
Norcross: And again, when you say obligation, you mean a legal obligation, not just because it’s the right thing to do.
Cornett: Absolutely. There’s a legal obligation to do that under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Norcross: Even if an evacuation order gets to affected people quickly, there’s this expectation that most people will get in their car and they will leave. How does that expectation leave people with disabilities in even greater danger?
Cornett: Yeah, that’s another huge issue for people with disabilities, especially when it happens quickly like the LA fires. People think evacuating is getting in the car, driving quickly away to safety.
But many people with disabilities don’t have access to a car, or they can’t physically drive a vehicle. They’re totally reliant on others to transport them to safety. So just providing that notice is not an adequate way to ensure that we are saving the lives of people with disabilities in the way it needs to be done.
Norcross: Is there an event here in Oregon that you can point to that shows us how situated we are to help people with disabilities when disaster strikes, good or bad?
Cornett: Here in Oregon, we’ve seen hundreds die or have serious injuries because of heat in the past few years. Climate change is real. We live in a warming environment, and it’s having a really disproportionate impact on seniors, on people with disabilities and people with underlying medical conditions.
And I’ll forever be haunted by a story of a 30-something year old woman who was dropped off by a medical transport company, but didn’t wait in their air-conditioned van to make sure that she got inside her home where there was air conditioning. Instead, they took off. She wandered around for hours before dying of heat, just 50 feet from her adult foster home.
These deaths are preventable with the right planning, the right strategy for mitigation, the right preparedness, and a response plan that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and respects the needs of people with disabilities.
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