In this episode, I interview Richard Cheverton, who along with Pamela Fitzsimmons writes the excellent Portland Dissent newsletter on Substack. Richard worked for newspapers in Chicago, Orange County and elsewhere before relocating to Portland over a decade ago. Richard shares his views about how the decline of journalism in Oregon helped create the state’s current predicament, and how new, independent voices are helping to fill the void. We also talk about Portland’s charter reform, which takes the number of Portland City Commissioners from five to 12 (and starts calling them Councilors). Richard shares his concern about the lack of accountability in the new structure, and its cost to taxpayers.Enjoy!Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and happy Tuesday. Right off the bat, I want to apologize for the poor audio quality of this podcast. It was recorded in my office with good equipment, but there must be some kind of operator (me) error occurring. It’s still very listenable, but sounds like Christine and I are talking in a tin can. I have tech support coming out to the “studio” this week to fix what ails me. My apologies.That said, it was good to get Christine Drazan’s take on the big problems like housing prices and drugs facing Oregon and how her new group, A New Direction, is working to give a voice to Oregonians often left out of the Salem decision-making process.Hope you enjoy!Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Max and I talk about Measure 110-backer Health Justice Recovery Alliance planning to pay for legislators’ travel to Portugal to learn more about that country’s decriminalization. Because I am not above self-promotion, I also brought up this article I wrote for National Review Online back in February 2022 about the failure of Measure 110 to deliver its promises. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Friday, all. Today’s episode digs into a new poll that shows Measure 110 is on (very) shaky ground with the Oregon electorate, and in particular in some segments of the electorate one might not expect. Hope you enjoy it.Also, I am testing out Substack’s new transcription feature. A few of you have asked about that, so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s automated transcription, and I have not reviewed it for accuracy, let alone edited it. You can view the transcript of the podcast by clicking on the transcript tab above (at least, I think it will be above). “The fatal farce of Measure 110,” Oregon Roundup 8-22-23Measure 110 poll conducted by Emerson College Polling for the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions.Have a great weekend!Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Bev Clarno has held more elected offices for longer than any living Oregon Republican. She has served as Speaker of the Oregon House, state senator, a member of the George W. Bush administration and, most recently as Secretary of State of Oregon.In this interview, Bev provides unique insight into the unique challenges facing Oregon, many of which involve her old Secretary of State office. Enjoy!Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Gov. Tina Kotek and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer: Portland has a drug crisis and it’s not our fault. If you missed it, my piece on the allegations that Jesse Lee Calhoun may have killed four women in the Portland area after he was released early from prison and allowed to stay out of prison in spite of violating the conditions of his release: “Four women dead, one ideology exposed.”Willamette Week reports on additional potential lawbreaking by alleged serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun that could and should have led to revocation of his commutation.And, finally, Multnomah County bought a pamphlet extolling the virtues of boofing as an alternative to, uh, more conventional drug use.Have a great weekend!Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Friday! Today’s episode is split into two parts: snorting and not snorting.Snorting:Multnomah County pauses plan to distribute paraphernalia, including “snorting kits” to fentanyl addicts. Secret Service closes White House cocaine investigation for lack of physical evidence. Not snorting:I am heat wave, call me Cerberus!“PETA offers rewards for information on stolen chicken truck.”Have a great weekend!Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Gavin Newsom visited Bend Saturday, July 1. Then Boise. Then Montana, then Salt Lake City and presumably back to California.Why? Politico “Gavin Newsom’s Red State Hustle”Biden teetering on the brink. Not great, Mr. Burns:Oregon public employees get big raise. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, I interview Oregon lawyer and lobbyist Mike Freese of Romain Freese, LLC. Mike spearheaded the successful effort in the just-completed legislative to allow all Oregonians to pump their own gas. We talk about the background on Oregon’s ban on self-service, and how the political stars aligned to allow an end to the ban this year. If you’re curious about how the legislature came to pass a bill that gave more freedom to Oregonians, for a change, take a listen.Note that the bill awaits Governor Kotek’s signature. It’s been assumed she would sign, but who knows?https://twitter.com/dirquez/status/1674129163727568896?s=20Don’t worry, that’s it for self-serve gas content for a while. If you missed it, here’s my, uh, exuberant write-up from the weekend.Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Juneteenth! I had retired prosecutor Josh Marquis back on the podcast to give provide context for the recent news that the U.S. DOJ has subpoenaed state records pertaining to former Secretary of State and cannabis business La Mota. How long have the feds been on the case? How likely is the investigation to spread to other state officials, including Governor Tina Kotek? How long is this going to take? All questions I pitch to Josh. I think you’ll find his answers illuminating. I did.Jeff This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oregonroundup.substack.com/subscribe