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This time around, Oregon’s Republican lawmakers are boycotting in plain sight

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This time around, Oregon’s Republican lawmakers are boycotting in plain sight


Sen. Cedric Hayden deliberate to spend Monday morning protesting Democratic overreach exterior a federal courthouse in Eugene. Sen. Daniel Bonham stated final week he was in Oregon, although “not simply discovered.” And Sen. Lynn Findley has been freely strolling the Capitol halls — at the same time as he typically refuses to seem on the Senate ground.

Because the 2023 Senate Republican walkout hits its sixth day, it’s clear this standoff comes with completely different guidelines than Oregonians is perhaps used to.

In years previous when Republicans left the Capitol in protest — as Senate Republicans did final week — they’d typically hustle throughout state traces and maintain their exact whereabouts a thriller. The extra distance was an try to make sure that the Oregon State Police couldn’t spherical up sufficient Republicans to succeed in a quorum within the Home or Senate, permitting the bulk Democrats to move payments.

State Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, is collaborating in a boycott of the Senate with different Republicans. Regardless of that, he is continued to work out of his Capitol workplace, one thing that may have been remarkable in previous walkouts.

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Bradley W. Parks / OPB

However this 12 months the dynamics have modified. Democrats now not appear frightened about forcing the GOP again to Salem. They’re relying on a latest poll measure to do this.

Measure 113, handed overwhelmingly by voters final 12 months, would stop any lawmaker with 10 or extra unexcused absences this session from operating for reelection. With that heavy penalty probably hanging over absent Republicans, state troopers are off the desk, in accordance with Gov. Tina Kotek.

Hayden, the senator from rural Lane County, preached in his church on Saturday — a Biblical meditation on Jonah’s voyage to Nineveh. “I’m letting individuals know the place I’m,” he stated on Monday. “I’m standing up and I’m not operating.”

Findley, a Republican from Vale, declined to even depart Salem when his celebration started a walkout on Could 3. On days he selected to boycott the Senate final week, he merely made certain he was not within the constructing whereas Democrats have been conducting ground periods.

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However simply because Republicans are seen doesn’t imply they’re coming again.

On Monday, the sixth day of the walkout, solely Sens. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln Metropolis, and Invoice Hansell, R-Athena, have been current on the chamber ground. With one of many chamber’s 17 Democrats out for well being causes, the Senate may solely muster 18 members, two in need of the quorum that may permit enterprise to proceed.

“It’s abundantly clear that there’s a concerted effort to undermine the desire of the individuals and produce the Legislature to a halt in violation of the Structure of the state of Oregon and the voters who put their sacred belief in our service,” Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, stated in a ground session final week.

Democrats have thus far banked on Republicans being pressured to return as a way to keep away from receiving 10 unexcused absences and reducing their legislative careers quick. However many GOP lawmakers say they’re keen to check the provisions voters permitted with Measure 113.

Bonham has stated all 12 months he’d be keen to exceed 10 unexcused absences as a way to problem the measure in court docket. He instructed OPB final month he opposes payments codifying protections on abortion and gender-affirming care that he considers excessive.

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Hayden is anxious a few package deal of insurance policies increasing entry to the opioid reversal drug naloxone, which he believes harmfully permits dad and mom to be stored at the hours of darkness if their kids obtain habit remedy. “Till negotiations occur, in the event that they do occur, I don’t intend to be within the constructing,” he stated.

Findley, like different Republicans, stated final week he believes that Democrats aren’t following a authorized requirement that summaries of payments be written at an Eighth-grade studying degree. Republicans have stated they solely not too long ago found that requirement, and have accused Democrats of making an attempt to move payments illegally now that the obscure 1979 provision has been unearthed. Democrats, in the meantime, say they’re on agency authorized footing.

“I’ve to look myself within the mirror day-after-day, and I’m not gonna violate my oath of workplace” by approving payments that aren’t authorized, Findley stated. “If that signifies that in September when it comes time to file for reelection that I’m deemed ineligible, I assume I received’t run for reelection.”

Then there’s state Sen. Invoice Hansell, R-Athena, who’d already introduced in March that he won’t search one other time period.

“I’m slightly completely different,” Hansell stated on Monday as he attended a fruitless Senate ground session. “I may have 100 [unexcused absences].”

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The battle may come to a head on Friday. Whereas some Republicans have been excused at occasions for the reason that walkout started, 4 lawmakers — Brian Boquist, Dennis Linthicum, Hayden and Bonham — would attain 10 unexcused absences on Could 12 if nothing modifications.

Wagner introduced final week he would stop excusing absences within the Senate not linked with long-term medical depart or an “extraordinary circumstance” — together with some he had beforehand permitted. Hansell stated he discovered on Friday, whereas in San Diego to attend his granddaughter’s commencement, that he now not had permission to be absent.

As of Monday morning, indicators of progress have been arduous to search out, and the listing of laws that Republicans level to as excessive gave the impression to be rising.

The Oregon House of Representatives convene at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, March 20, 2023.

The Oregon Home of Representatives convene on the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, March 20, 2023.

Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB

Senate Minority Chief Tim Knopp, R-Bend, instructed the Oregon Capitol Chronicle this weekend his celebration has “about 20″ payments it’s protesting, alongside their insistence that the chamber has been ignoring guidelines that invoice summaries be straightforward to know. Knopp didn’t ship OPB the listing of payments he had in thoughts.

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“It’s clear Rob Wagner has no intention of negotiating and that’s the level of a walkout, you must negotiate,” Knopp stated in an interview on Monday. “And the very first thing now we have to barter is that you simply observe the legislation.”

Senate Majority Chief Kate Lieber, D-Portland, instructed reporters on Monday that invites are “within the works” for a sitdown with Republicans. However Lieber and different high Democrats have insisted that the celebration wouldn’t surrender key components of its agenda — together with payments increasing abortion protections and gun restrictions — and Lieber stated on Monday it feels just like the Senate is being held hostage.

“My caucus is adamant about not watering down Democratic priorities,” Lieber stated, including that she wished to see a rundown of the payments Republicans are protesting. “I’m not going to place an inventory collectively that I really feel like they could need. We’re not going to barter in opposition to ourselves.”

Democrats in 2019 bristled when then-Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, agreed to surrender payments on vaccine mandates and gun laws as a way to get Republicans again within the constructing.

Republicans have demanded that two payments they take exception to — Home Payments 2002 and 2005 — obtain further hearings within the state Senate. Lieber and different Democrats have dismissed these calls for as gamesmanship, however the majority chief stated on Monday that “the whole lot is on the desk.”

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Lieber additionally stated she had made overtures to Knopp and different Republicans. That’s partly mandatory as a result of Knopp and Wagner, the brand-new Democratic Senate president, haven’t spoken in weeks.

“The conferences with Wagner, even once we had them, have been a whole waste of time as a result of he was simply utilizing these to inform everybody else ‘Oh, it’s bipartisan. The whole lot is okay,’” Knopp stated on Monday. “I simply obtained bored with being utilized by him,.”

Wagner urged in a ground speech on Friday he’s hoping the chilly relations finish.

“I might be right here on the Capitol each single day,” he stated, addressing senators each current and absent. “I’ll clear my calendar for you.”

Lauren Dake contributed to this report.

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Oregon

Powerball ticket worth $328.5 million sold in Oregon

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Powerball ticket worth 8.5 million sold in Oregon


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The first Powerball jackpot of 2025 was sold in Oregon and is worth $328.5 million, according to lottery officials.

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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.

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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.

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Cherrill Crosby is the executive editor of the Statesman Journal and The Register-Guard. Reach her at crosbyc@gannett.com



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Oregon’s Dan Lanning visits 5-star recruit Cantwell, top TE Premer during Midwest run

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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).

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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.

Raymore-Peculiar running back DeZephen Walker

Raymore-Peculiar running back DeZephen Walker. / Photo by David Smith, SBLive

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.

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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.

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People with disabilities are extra vulnerable in major disasters like wildfires, says Oregon advocate

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People with disabilities are extra vulnerable in major disasters like wildfires, says Oregon advocate


FILE – Scorched wheelchairs rest outside Cypress Meadows Post-Acute, a nursing home leveled by the Camp Fire on Dec. 4, 2018, in Paradise, Calif. The staff was able to safely evacuate all 91 patients.

Noah Berger / AP

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.

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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.”

Jake Cornett, executive director and CEO of Disability Rights Oregon.

Jake Cornett, executive director and CEO of Disability Rights Oregon.

Courtesy of Ramsey Cox

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?

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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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