Executive Club Meeting
7:00 pm • Wednesday July 1st • Airport Shilo Inn
First, we had Kitzhaber, and his live-in lobbyist.
Oregon, and Cylvia Hayes, were "first in the nation".
Then, the media concealed the fire in the basement...
...and we got them both again.
That wasn't a first, for Oregon OR the nation.
A brief glimmer of justice...
and back into dark, muddy, obfuscated politics:
now we have Kate Brown, with even leftier politics and history,
but without the cowboy boots, blue jeans and belt buckle.
And Oregon is "first in the nation", again.
Couldn't we have quit running toward the cliff after being
"first" in state-wide land use planning?
And the Kitzhaber-Hayes crimes?
Don't hold your breath waiting for daily investigation updates
from a weathered, tired Ted Koppel, because this time, it's just
Truth being held hostage by the left.
And that's not even (yawn!) news, to the mainstream media.
Move along. Nothing to see here. Move along.
(Sigh) Business as usual. Is there any hope for Oregon?
Cue the beginning of the campaign for Governor.
Allen Alley
A successful entrepreneur, free-market capitalist,
husband and father, Republican candidate for Treasurer
for a time Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party,
and he even ran for Governor once already.
But he also served in Kulongoski's administration as Deputy Chief of Staff.
And... drives a Smart Car (isn't that an oxymoron?)
So, Executive Club, let's welcome a man who's got the energy and drive.
A guy who can point out the folly of current policy and new legislation,
like a state-run (another oxymoron!) retirement system,
higher minimum wages that clobber minority employment,
and that crazy make-me-a-felon-please gun transfer law.
Not to mention past folly, like that state-wide land use planning.
Or Metro. TriMet. PERS. Unfunded pensions across the state.
For crying out loud WES! The Convention Center Hotel!
A candidate who can remind Kate that having Comcast write a letter
for her to sign, lobbying for Comcast's Time-Warner bid,
while Comcast donates to her campaigns,
isn't exactly transparent and ethical governance.
A fellow who can remind her that maybe we SHOULDN'T be "first in the nation"
in being anti-business, anti-prosperity, anti-civility, anti-employment,
while funnelling almost all state spending through partisan union hands.
A man who can remind her that you can't continue going after every nickel and dime,
as if an untaxed penny is wasted on the worker but is needed in Salem.
Then let's grill him, to see how he can pull Oregon back
from the edge of the molten caldera of liberal chaos.
Heaven knows, Oregon can't take much more of what we've got.
My toes are already burning. How about yours?
Join us Wednesday night.
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Portland Airport Shilo Inn ~~ 11707 Northeast Airport Way
Bring a friend! ~~ $20 buffet option ~~ no host bar
And of course, the cigar room, afterward
Next meeting after this: August 5th
Visit our full calendar page
Calendar feed links, in .ics format (Outlook, Google):
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Submitting Followup Information
Executive Club passes on meeting followup information as a courtesy to our speakers and members. Any member or speaker may submit, by email, a simple update text presentation to be sent to the club mailing list, to give the membership to have more details, or just a recap of your platform presentation. To be considered for publication, please be sure to submit your update within 24 hours of the close of the meeting. Please don't include any pictures in your text, but links to web pages, or links to things stored elsewhere on the web -- .pdf files, Word documents, or even pictures -- are OK now. Formatting and inserted pictures will not be copied, just the text content, so please don't use 4 fonts and 6 colors to convey your thoughts: you will be disappointed. Look at a previous followup email, or the bottom of most of the invitation emails, to see how they are presented. The simpler and cleaner your text, the more likely it will appear exactly the same in the email we send out. Each update must also indicate the author's name and contact information -- either a phone number, email address, or website with contact information. We reserve the right to edit for brevity, or reject, any submission.
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Timely Information and Events
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The Taxpayer Association is trying to protect Don McIntire's Measure 5 property tax limits from the 2015 Legislature. There are several property tax bills submitted, and HB2635 -- Requiring ballot title cost estimates -- has already passed.
If you would like to be notified of when a Measure 5 killing property tax bill comes up in the Legislature and would like to testify at the hearing, then please email Jason Williams at
oregonwatchdog@gmail.com and ask for the TAX ALERT advance sheet. This will explain how they plan to gut Measure 5 and how you can testify at the State Capitol.
Even the Legislature's own numbers show that without Measure 5 your property taxes would be 40% higher. That's why they wish to kill it.
For more information contact
Jason Williams at 503-603-9009.
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This week’s Cascade QuickPoint let’s Oregonians know that at least one legislator is trying to
Steal the Kicker.
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Details of all Cascade events and publications are available at
http://cascadepolicy.org/ and you can sign up for Cascade's free weekly Courier email list
here.
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This May 2015 we in Multnomah County ended up with a contested election. The race for Director Position 3 for the Rural Fire Protection District #11JT (Riverdale) started with no candidate filed.
By the end of the election, with a mere 27 write-in votes, a situation has developed where a race has become interesting and must be examined. The "winner" has three votes. There is a four way tie behind him with two votes each. Because Write-in candidates must accept the position for which they are vote for, the Elections Office will be looking at this race on the 4th of June carefully. If the person with three votes declines the position tomorrow, then the other four write in's will have to draw cards and the highest card will determine the winner. So, not all elections in Multnomah County are cut and dried.
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Boring vs. Metro Update HB2640 and HB3543
Representing the good people of Boring, on January 8th, a petition was submitted to Metro and the State Legislature for the removal of Boring from the Metro boundaries. Metro ignored our petition and did not give it a Hearing or a Vote.
HB2640, the Boring Bill to remove Boring from Metro, died in committee. But we had a Hearing!
At the Hearing, Metro President Tom Hughes is on record recommending that if you have a problem go talk to your county.
At the joint work session with the City of Damascus in May, President Hughes insinuated that if you are not a City, Metro will not talk to you.
Metro's treatment of the people of Boring has been rough, to say the least.
To facilitate a dialogue that Metro has been avoiding, Representative Kennemer has proposed the concept of a Work Group. The people of Boring are in favor of this concept provided it is in a neutral location and there are witnesses in the room.
Clackamas County will be that neutral party and convene the Work Group and the legislators will be the witnesses.
The subject matter and discussion should enable all parties to be educated and better understand the current and future options available. The amendment wording below addresses the subject matter to be discussed at the Work Group meetings.
This should not take more than three meetings. At the end of the third meeting, if there is no agreement or consensus, the report should be sent to the legislature advising of an impasse.
This will be the 11th amendment to HB3543. It will be interesting to see what the final Bill looks like. We do stand with Hope that this amendment will survive and HB3543 will move to the House Floor within the next few weeks.
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AMENDMENT TO HB3543
In response to the Boring Community Planning Organization's (CPO) petition to Metro relating to the Metropolitan Service District (MSD) boundary, Clackamas County shall convene a Work Group to discuss the impact of the MSD boundary on the Boring CPO area. The issues to be discussed will include, but not be limited to, land use issues associated with the urban and rural reserve designations, incorporation requirements, and Metro planning requirements in the MSD and urban growth boundary.
Members of this Work Group shall be comprised of two (2) state legislators, two (2) Clackamas County officials, two (2) Metro officials and two (2) members of the Boring Community Planning Organization and (1) additional member appointed by Clackamas County if they so desire.
The Work Group will report its findings and outcomes to the House Committee on Rules during the 2016 legislative session.
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Clackamas County should honor the Will of the People
On November 4, 2003, the people of Clackamas County voted on Measure 3-115.
This measure would allow Clackamas County to assess a new tax for Road and Street Maintenance. The people said “NO” by more than 2 to 1.
It can be easily interpreted that 62.8% of the voters told the County “No New Taxes!”.
The Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners are trying to determine how to address the annual 17 million dollar shortfall in the Road Maintenance Fund.
Clackamas County continually references a state law that does not allow using property tax dollars for road maintenance. It is said that even though the 2015-2016 all funds budget amounts to 935.9 million dollars, there is not enough money to cover the Road Maintenance Fund deficit. In this budget, just 1.5 million dollars was slated for the fund.
Clackamas County almost put another measure on the ballot. The most recent survey suggests that the voters would turn it down again, so it appears the Commissioners agree that another ballot measure is not a viable option. It was true in 2003 and it is true in 2015. The people of Clackamas County do not want new taxes.
I suggested in 2014 that Clackamas County should go to Salem and seek a change to the state law that does not allow county governments to use property tax money for road maintenance.
I testified twice in front of the Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners.
I had a State Senator who would sponsor a bill to change the law if the Clackamas County Commission formally agreed with the concept. While Commissioner Tootie Smith and Chair John Ludlow publicly stated their support with concerns, the Board of County Commissioners essentially killed the bill before it was born.
This inaction has cost the taxpayers of Clackamas County valuable time. This has been a major subject of discussion for two years and we are worse off than we were in 2013 when the discussion started. At 17 million dollars a year, this makes us 34 million dollars in arrears.
In 2014, I developed the following plan to Honor the Will of the People:
-- Go to Salem and get the law changed --
-- Put as much money in the Road Maintenance Fund as possible --
-- After showing the people good will and true effort by doing a and b, ask for help with the remaining amount needed --
Clackamas County should honor the Will of the People.
Clackamas County should adopt the Steve Bates Plan to show good will and true effort.
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PLEASE DIRECT INQUIRES TO: STEVE BATES @ 503-663-6271
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We will touch on two of the bills before the Oregon Legislature that we feel will be putting much burden on small business.
You should be watching carefully HB 2960 (passed but not signed by the Governor) and SB 615 (in committee). These are Ted Wheeler's baby and create the Oregon Retirement Savings Board who will be charged with creating "The Plan" by 12/31/16 so that employees can begin contributing by 7/1/17. This will mean that every private employer in the state, that doesn't currently offer a "state qualified" retirement plan for their employees, must enroll their employees in the state-run plan. The employee may opt out, but only after being enrolled by the employer.
Employers must auto-enroll and establish a system for withholding, tracking and performance reporting. The board will set provisions of the plan such as a default contribution rate with escalation clauses and minimum contribution amounts.
This bill, requiring auto-enrollment by employers, may trigger ERISA regulations upon the employer and the state. The Oregonian on May 31st had it right -- do not pass this when it will possibly trigger these burdensome regulations upon Oregon’s small business community.
Again, let your legislators know that this is a heavy burden on small business and it should not be passed, especially since employees already have the opportunity to do IRA plans on their own.
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Cliff Thomason of Grants Pass is chief petitioner for a statewide measure titled the "Lottery Local Control Act".
From the site
LotteryLocalControl:
The Oregon Lottery Local Control Act will send 50% of the Oregon Lottery net proceeds back to the counties from which they were generated. Counties can use the revenue to help fund: public education, economic development, providing for public safety, restoring native fish and wildlife, or protecting parks and beaches. Every Oregon county will benefit from more local control.
2016 Oregon Lottery Local Control Act is well underway with statewide signature gathering. Anyone wanting to help gather signatures or donate to the effort, please contact Cliff Thomason by email to
clifft9@msn.com or visit
LotteryLocalControl.Com.
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David Madore has made a challenge to you!!!
Your immediate attention is requested.
David Madore is making a challenge to all citizens. He has asked that you match his donation to Third Bridge Now (ETA) so we can start our VERY important next step Alternative River Crossings Citizen Committee... immediately. We need immediate funding to reserve the rental space now so we can go public.
David is challenging business owners and citizens to match his $500 donation. We must have an honest citizen process with a range of alternatives with a full citizen discussion so we can go forward to construct needed infrastructure.
Funds are needed for:
-- Space rental and equipment
-- Facilitator
-- Staff
-- Meeting materials
-- Website
-- Hand outs
-- Video recording
It is important to have the community step forward with funding so it is obvious that it is a citizen-supported process and so we can get it done. The game is still in play, we have the ball, and the only way to end the CRC is to provide better alternatives. Please try and donate as much as you feel comfortable, with both money and time. Please don't wait until I call you... and ask. Please let David's request -- and challenge -- jolt you into immediate action, because that is what is needed.
David has already spent tens of thousands of dollars, his own money: on Tiffany Couch's work, web site, video, bridge events, Third Bridge Now, no-toll, elections and several legal matters.
Please download and use the
donation form found here.
Thank you kindly.... Peace, Sharon
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Oregon Citizens Lobby is looking for patriots to analyze bills according to our five values of fiscal responsibility, local control, free markets, limited government, and personal choice/responsibility. We also need volunteers to staff the war room lobbying politicians, attending hearings, giving public testimony, writing letters to the editor, and on the twitter brigade, tweeting and retweeting. Go to
OregonCitizensLobby.org to sign up.
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Read the
May 2015 MHRW Newsletter
June 2015 Updates
As we won't be publishing in our regular Newsletter format this month, these are a few items of interest and dates to make note of, for all Mt. Hood Republican friends.
Get well wishes for a continued speedy recovery are sent to OFRW President Sally MacLeod and all others who have been under the weather these past few months. The sunshine has appeared along with beautiful flowers and plentiful vegetable gardens. We must take time to enjoy and replenish our energies for the coming political campaigns.
Congratulations to our MHRW friend, Teena Ainslie on her election to the Mt. Hood Community College Board.
June Birthdays to celebrate - June 14, Diane Parker -June 24, Sharon Petri
July 10, Friday - BIG FAT GREEK DINNER DANCE - To Stop One Party Rule
Speaker - Reince Priebus - Pantheon Banquet Hall, 5932 S.E. 92nd Ave., Portland.
Reception - 5:30 PM. Buffet Diner & Pastries - 6:30 PM. Live Greek music 8:30 - 10 PM.
Plus silent and oral auctions. Tickets $ 125. Tables available - Price increase after July 1.
www.oregonrepublicanparty.org/GreekDinnerDance
August 15, Saturday - "9th Annual Gathering of the Eagles"
A Pacific Northwest premier event held at the Ames Curtright Ranch.
www.gatheringoftheeagles.com
Please thank Rep. Greg Walden for his No Vote on the Brooks Amendment to the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act. This is to keep illegals out of our military. Our 4 Democrats voted to allow it. Nays won - 221 - 202. A small victory for sure.
Our May speaker, Becky Caputo and her Portland-Vancouver Faith Based resource with local events and services is at Portland@faithhappenings.com
INITIATIVE SIGNATURES NEEDED
"Lottery Local Control Act" Cliff Thomason chief petitioner - 541-218-1405 www.lotterylocalcontrol.com
"Protect Family Giving from Taxes" Common Sense For Oregon - sponsor prohibits state or local tax on a gift between family members. 503-480-0523 tiffany@commonsensefororegon.org.
"No New Taxes Without a Vote Of The People" Jason Williams sponsor - no ballot title as yet - 503-603-9009 or oregonwatchdog@gmail.com
INFORMATIVE WEBSITES TO VISIT
Sen. Jeff Kruse - http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kruse
Oregonians For Immigration Reform - OFIR - Oregonians for Immigration Reform | advocating environmentally sustainable immigration | illegal alien immigrant crime
Sen. Doug Whitsett - http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/whitsett
A few lessons learned while writing "American Wife" by Taya Kyle, 'Laugh at yourself and with life' - 'Be humble, genuine and gracious' 'Give without expecting to get back' 'Be the friend you will need some day' 'This country has many, many patriots in it; you are not alone'
Our next scheduled meeting will be September 9, 2015, with Clackamas County Commissioner, Chairman John Ludlow speaking on the shared information from the Tri-County area regarding our roads, taxes and jobs.
If you have announcements to share, please call Clarice at 503-658-5227 or e-mail claricemoss@yahoo.com. Watch for our July 2015 Updates
HAVE A GREAT MONTH OF JUNE - BE SAFE AND PATRIOTIC
THANK A VETERAN AND ALL OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
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Submitting Lost and Found Information
Executive Club passes on meeting lost and found information as a courtesy to our speakers and members. Any member or speaker may submit, by email, a simple description of the item which -- or person who -- has been either lost or found, to be sent to the club mailing list. To be considered for publication, please be sure to submit your description before the trail goes cold. Please include any pictures in your text, as well as links to helpful, identifying web pages. Please: no requests for help in actually LOSING something or someone; please take of such situations yourself. Each L&F description must also indicate the author's name and contact information -- either a phone number, email address, or website with contact information. We reserve the right to edit for brevity, or reject, any submission, and we may just keep stuff we really like.
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After the June 3rd meeting, from a table at the front of the room, "stage left",
this small notebook was found:
Is this yours? Please respond with identification of the insides, and we'll get it back to you.
It will also be present at the July 1st meeting, awaiting your retrieval.
