Those who have the least are being displaced and forced to downsize – to discard the possessions they hold dear “I can only carry so many backpacks on my back at the same time with my precious items,” Barbara told me. She was tired, upset, exhausted. Stan ...
16 Feb 2018 - Kaia Sand
COMMENTARY | 2018 is an opportunity to engage with our elected Oregon officials Our democracy – our system of representative government – is like a muscle. We can use it and make it strong, or we can let it atrophy through inattentiveness and inaction. A ...
2 Feb 2018 - Alison McIntosh
For every dollar spent on health care, there are immeasurable savings down the line First do no harm. That’s a centuries-old tenet when it comes to health care. It’s worth keeping in mind when it comes to Measure 101, which asks voters to ensure coverage ...
5 Jan 2018 - SR editorial board
COMMENTARY | We must demand an action plan from legislators Just a short month ago, the Oregon Legislature adjourned the 2017 session. Legislators had the chance to act during the session to take a bold step forward to address our state’s housing crisis f ...
17 Aug 2017 - Alison McIntosh
The message sent to Oregonians is that their government cares about protecting corporations more than people The 2017 Oregon legislative session started with big promises. Both the business community and legislators said they would find a way to avoid mas ...
7 Jul 2017 - Israel Bayer
Oregon lawmakers have never prioritized housing in a substantial way On the same day Multnomah County announced a 10 percent increase in people experiencing homelessness, Oregon announced cuts to emergency rent assistance. If that didn’t add enough insul ...
23 Jun 2017 - Israel Bayer
Allowing abusers to possess firearms — right up until they kill — is unconscionable It happened again. Another case of domestic violence resulting in a murder. Just this week in San Bernadino, Calif., a man walked into his wife’s place of work – an elemen ...
15 Apr 2017 - SR editorial board
COMMENTARY | We believe in justice for all – not just for those who can afford it "Equal justice under law” is a core value of our nation. But what happens when a victim of domestic violence, or an older adult facing eviction, can’t afford a lawyer? ...
11 Apr 2017 - Nick Fish
House Bill 2355 would defelonize low-level possession charges, emphasize public health The travesty of the so-called war on drugs plays on a constant loop, destroying lives, families and communities, and starting over with each generation. It continues, s ...
6 Apr 2017 - SR editorial board
Oregon legislation sought to end criminalization of sleeping while homeless and other basic human rights A newly released ACLU of Oregon report, “Decriminalizing Homelessness: Why Right to Rest Legislation is the High Road For Oregon,” finds that there is ...
6 Apr 2017 - Israel Bayer