Upset about what he feels is an expedited erosion of the working class by both political parties, Clay Bearnson has been nominated by the Independent Party of Oregon for Senate District 3 in Southern Oregon.
The extreme right of the MAGA movement and the extreme left of the Democratic Socialists of America have both built their followings rallying against the existing political establishment — “the people against the entrenched elite.” MAGA views government institutions as the enemy, while the DSA opposes the capitalistic, corporate empire they believe feeds off the sweat and blood of the working class.
Former Oregon Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr joins The Political Center to discuss the future of transportation in Oregon. From the state’s funding challenges and the future of ODOT to bipartisan solutions and long-term infrastructure planning, this conversation explores what’s next for one of Oregon’s most pressing public policy issues.
Today in Federal Court, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken made it clear that America still has a long road ahead to fulfill that promise. In a strong rebuke, Aiken chastised a lawyer for the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments for firing Beth Schmidt, the former Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator, who embraced her responsibility to honor Ruby Bridges during a walk to school event for Salem-Keizer students last fall.
Five changes the Legislature might consider to lift Oregon schools out of the nation’s basement in school performance. None will be easy. The status quo is a formidable opponent.
Rick Metsger dives into Oregon education issues with Jim Green, former Executive Director of the Oregon School Boards Association, in this month’s Political Center video podcast.
The ODOT director called it quits at the end of last year and two interim directors have warmed the chair since. Sources familiar with the search say finding a permanent replacement has been — to be kind — challenging.
Neither the Legislature nor the public have a clue what goes on behind the closed doors of the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability (CJFD). In the last 10 years, more than 2,000 complaints have been filed with the Commission charging some form of judicial misconduct, though not a single public hearing has taken place on any of them.
Oregon’s education system is spending more than ever, yet student outcomes continue to fall behind. We examine Gov. Tina Kotek’s appointments to the Quality Education Commission, the growing influence of teachers unions, and the widening gap between school funding, labor costs, and student achievement.
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