The Oregon League of Conservation Voters is having trouble making a decision about who to endorse in this year’s race for Governor.
So it’s taking the unusual step of endorsing two candidates. That may not be a bad thing.
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters is having trouble making a decision about who to endorse in this year’s race for Governor.
So it’s taking the unusual step of endorsing two candidates. That may not be a bad thing.
Things are coming together for the debate later this month that will focus on environmental issues in the race for Governor.
David Sarasohn of the Oregonian will be moderator. Four panelists will be asking the questions.
Photo by Chris Phan
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters says it’s endorsing Jeff Cogen as the new chairman of Multnomah County, and Karol Collymore for a seat on the county commission.
In a statement released this morning, OLCV praises Cogan for his efforts on sustainability, the environment, climate change, the local food economy and open spaces. “Jeff understands how clean energy and innovation can create good jobs and a stronger, more fair economy,” says OLCV PAC Board Chair Charlie Burr. “Jeff is a proven leader and environmental champion.”
Starting tomorrow, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters is going to tell us which candidates its endorsing this year.
The names will be released Tuesday and Wednesday on the OLCV home page.
The endorsements cover about 20 state House and Senate races, county commission races for Clackamas, Jackson, Lane, Marion, Multnomah and Washington counties, city council races in Beaverton, Eugene and Portland, plus a race for the Portland area Metro Council.
But, we’re going to have to wait a little while longer for an endorsement in the Governor’s race. There’s a debate on environmental issues among the three top candidates for Governor on March 30th. OLCV is one of the groups sponsoring the debate and will hold off on making an endorsement until afterwards.
Thursday’s green agenda in Salem includes the first hearing on a proposed bisphenol A (BPA) ban, and a possible vote on a bill to ban offshore oil and gas drilling near the Oregon coast.
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters says its focusing on three environmental bills on the upcoming special session of the Legislature.
They include a ban on BPA, a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, and a plan to help Oregon’s largest metro communities reduce greenhouse gases.
From www.bobstacey.com.
One of the state’s most politically active conservation groups is endorsing Bob Stacey in the race for Metro Council President.
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters praises Stacey as a, “decisive leader with a vision to protect the environmental integrity of the region.”
The choice probably wasn’t all that easy to make. The other two candidates they considered have received OLCV endorsements in the past.
With less than three hours to go, some updates to pass along about the rallies and protests planned outside Keller Auditorium.
At least three groups plan to protest outside Gore's speech tonight.
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters has joined the cause to support for former Vice-President Al Gore. Get more information on the OLCV blog page, “Drown Out The Tea Party”. Environment Oregon has sent out messages via Twitter and Facebook.
All the new posts and tweets point in one direction, the Repower America sign up page. So far, this page still says the rally starts at 6:00pm outside Keller Auditorium at SW 3rd Ave and Clay. But Andy Grow of Climate Solutions says they’re hoping people will start showing up about 5:30pm.
NOTE: Please be careful about what you read in the comment section of the blog. Some anti-Gore groups have been posting misinformation about where the rallies will be held. Until further notice, use the Repower America link as your best source.
Some of this last minute support appears to have been motivated by some anti-Gore graffiti that sprayed painted on the outside of Keller Auditorium.
At least three groups plan to protest Gore’s appearance, including MoveOnDotGore, Americans For Prosperity, and PETA.
Gore’s speech at Keller starts at 7:30pm.
So far I’ve managed to avoid writing about Measures 66 and 67, the two tax raising measures that voters will decide in January’s special election. It’s not that I don’t think these issues are important, but rather I never saw a connection to my reporting on environmental news.
Until now.
The Oregon Conservation Network, representing some 40 environmental groups across the state, announced today it’s joining the battle to pass both measures. It says they’re needed to protect state investments in clean, renewable energy.
Briefly, Measure 66 raises income taxes on families and couples earning more than $250,000 a year, and on individuals earning more than $125,000. It also cuts taxes for people who received unemployment benefits.
Measure 67 raises certain business taxes. First, the minimum tax increases from $10 to $150 per year on smaller businesses. It also creates a .01% minimum on companies with more than $500,000 in Oregon revenues. Finally, it increases taxes on businesses earning more than $250,000 per year.
Here’s a quote from today’s announcement. If these measures fail the group warns of, “Dramatic cuts to climate change measures, coastal and marine protections, clean air & water monitoring, land use planning, food safety and forest fire protection.”
Other than that, the group offers few details to explain their position. But it also promises that more info is coming.
In one way, their argument makes some sense. Take the case of the Business Energy Tax Credit, or BETC. As reported in the Oregonian, the cost of this program has skyrocketed and could deprive the state of $167 million in lost tax revenues during the current two year budget cycle.
The Oregon Energy Department is working to bring down the costs and curb abuses of the program. But despite BETC’s numerous faults, it has played an important role in creating green businesses in the state. If Measures 66 and 67 fail, the pressure to cut BETC further could intensify. Then you again you could make the same case for any number of state programs.
You can read all of today’s announcement on the Oregon League of Conservation Voters blog. The OLCV will coordinate the political campaign in favor of the two measures.
You can also read the ballot titles, statements explaining what they mean, and reports on their costs on the Secretary of State’s OregonVotes.org website.
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters has a new Executive Director. Jon Isaacs, a former staffer for Senator Jeff Merkley, takes on the leadership position this fall.
According to the OLCV, Isaacs ran Merkley’s campaign against Senator Gordon Smith and after the election managed his office here in Oregon. He also worked for a variety of political groups in the state and in Washington, D.C..
In the press release, Isaacs says, “I consider OLCV to be one of the most important and impactful organizations in Oregon politics. I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity. Oregon – and the country – needs a powerful, aggressive, savvy and ultimately successful environmental movement. The stakes are just too high for anything less.”
Isaacs replaces Jonathan Poisner, who served as OLCV Executive Director for 12 years. During Poisner’s tenure the group’s annual budget grew from $200,000 to $1.1 million. He announced his decision to leave the group back in April.
Meanwhile, Environment Oregon is still looking for an Executive Director. The job listing can be found here.
