Sockeye Blog Archives

October 27, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 27, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's Thursday!

The Congressional Budget Office made waves yesterday by releasing an important report analyzing income growth over the past 30+ years. Their findings: The top 1 percent doubled their share of the nation's income, while lower and middle-income earners saw only minor increases. The report also points out that federal policies have become less "redistributive"--in other words, lawmakers have aided in the concentration of wealth at the top.

In local news, TriMet is facing a steep budget shortfall and is poised to raise fares and cut service--but the main headline is that the agency won't be cutting its public art budget, including funding for a giant Deer Baby statue. Those are the types of headlines that make it difficult to convince voters to raise revenue to protect core services.

It's Thursday!

The Congressional Budget Office made waves yesterday by releasing an important report analyzing income growth over the past 30+ years. Their findings: The top 1 percent doubled their share of the nation's income, while lower and middle-income earners saw only minor increases. The report also points out that federal policies have become less "redistributive"--in other words, lawmakers have aided in the concentration of wealth at the top.

In local news, TriMet is facing a steep budget shortfall and is poised to raise fares and cut service--but the main headline is that the agency won't be cutting its public art budget, including funding for a giant Deer Baby statue. Those are the types of headlines that make it difficult to convince voters to raise revenue to protect core services.

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October 26, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 26, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's Wednesday.

The Oregonian reports that backers of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners' ballot measure on urban renewal have raised 10 times more than backers of a competing measure being backed by the county chapter of the Tea Party.

The O's editorial board, which strongly opposed Bill Sizemore's teacher merit pay ballot measure in 2008 because they believed local districts should be able to make their own decisions about merit pay, criticizes the Oregon City School District for deciding to oppose a merit pay scheme attached to a federal grant.

Cascade Policy Institute, which has advocated for the privatization of public services like K12 schools, now wants Multnomah County to privatize its library system and charge users a fee to walk into their local library.

It's Wednesday.

The Oregonian reports that backers of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners' ballot measure on urban renewal have raised 10 times more than backers of a competing measure being backed by the county chapter of the Tea Party.

The O's editorial board, which strongly opposed Bill Sizemore's teacher merit pay ballot measure in 2008 because they believed local districts should be able to make their own decisions about merit pay, criticizes the Oregon City School District for deciding to oppose a merit pay scheme attached to a federal grant.

Cascade Policy Institute, which has advocated for the privatization of public services like K12 schools, now wants Multnomah County to privatize its library system and charge users a fee to walk into their local library.

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October 25, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 25, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's Tuesday.

Advocates for senior citizens are asking the attorney general's office to block a law limiting the ability of some seniors to use the property tax deferral program. The Oregonian editorial is supporting Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen's proposal to ban BPA in baby products.

The Portland metro area has added jobs, while jobless rates remain stuck in much of the rest of the state.

It's Tuesday.

Advocates for senior citizens are asking the attorney general's office to block a law limiting the ability of some seniors to use the property tax deferral program. The Oregonian editorial is supporting Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen's proposal to ban BPA in baby products.

The Portland metro area has added jobs, while jobless rates remain stuck in much of the rest of the state.

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October 24, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 24, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's a chilly Monday, but the sun's out over much of the state.

The Oregonian looks at how to "move your mortgage," much like the national Move Your Money movement. While jobless rates remained essentially flat in Oregon (as previously reported, due to layoffs of teachers and other public employees), Hallmark hopes to make it better by offering unemployment condolence cards for sale.

Ballots are out for the primary in the CD1 race, which has seen an increase in voter registration.

It's a chilly Monday, but the sun's out over much of the state.

The Oregonian looks at how to "move your mortgage," much like the national Move Your Money movement. While jobless rates remained essentially flat in Oregon (as previously reported, due to layoffs of teachers and other public employees), Hallmark hopes to make it better by offering unemployment condolence cards for sale.

Ballots are out for the primary in the CD1 race, which has seen an increase in voter registration.

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October 21, 2011
The Bright Side of Life
By Alina Harway

Happy Friday! Here are a few stories we found that brightened up the OO office throughout the week.

Here's an opportunity to squeal over cute animals wearing human clothes (without feeling silly.) These sweaters actually prevent the Fairy Penguins of New Zealand from absorbing toxic quantites of spilled oil.

Happy Friday! Here are a few stories we found that brightened up the OO office throughout the week.

Here's an opportunity to squeal over cute animals wearing human clothes (without feeling silly.) These sweaters actually prevent the Fairy Penguins of New Zealand from absorbing toxic quantites of spilled oil.

Ever thought about running a marathon in your lifetime? Running more than one? How about completing your eighth marathon after you turn 100? Impressive.

It's that time of year. Pull out your boots and head down to the riverbanks for the fall salmon run! Enjoy this video from last year's run before heading out to see your own:

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October 21, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 21, 2011
By Jenny Smith

Happy Friday!!

In the face of deep budget cuts, the Beaverton School District is looking for a local option levy to maintain funding for classrooms. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have defeated a piece of President Obama's jobs bill that would have spent $35 billion on hiring teachers and frontline workers.

Oregon venture capital continues to soar, and a new poll out shows Suzanne Bonamici and Rob Cornilles with wide leads over their primary opponents in the CD1 race.

Happy Friday!!

In the face of deep budget cuts, the Beaverton School District is looking for a local option levy to maintain funding for classrooms. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have defeated a piece of President Obama's jobs bill that would have spent $35 billion on hiring teachers and frontline workers.

Oregon venture capital continues to soar, and a new poll out shows Suzanne Bonamici and Rob Cornilles with wide leads over their primary opponents in the CD1 race.

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October 20, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 20, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's Thursday!

New York Times columnist (and noted Yamhill County native) Nicholas Kristof argues that the surest way to fix America's income inequality crisis is by investing in early childhood education. OPB takes a look at the impact of classroom overcrowding on students and teachers. (By the way, here's the video we produced on the overcrowding crisis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXrbemNQ5p8)

Meanwhile, the Eugene Weekly looks at the rise of activism among teachers responding to budget cuts and increases in high-stakes testing and for-profit charter schools.

It's Thursday!

New York Times columnist (and noted Yamhill County native) Nicholas Kristof argues that the surest way to fix America's income inequality crisis is by investing in early childhood education. OPB takes a look at the impact of classroom overcrowding on students and teachers. (By the way, here's the video we produced on the overcrowding crisis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXrbemNQ5p8)

Meanwhile, the Eugene Weekly looks at the rise of activism among teachers responding to budget cuts and increases in high-stakes testing and for-profit charter schools.

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October 19, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 19, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's Wednesday!

New employment numbers for last month are out, and the Oregonian says in explicit terms that the stagnation in the numbers is due to layoffs of public sector workers, including teachers. This trend is being seen around the country.

The New York Times looks at the longer term impact of plummeting home prices, and the race for CD1 heats up as ballots are about to go out. Last night was the first televised debate in the race.

It's Wednesday!

New employment numbers for last month are out, and the Oregonian says in explicit terms that the stagnation in the numbers is due to layoffs of public sector workers, including teachers. This trend is being seen around the country.

The New York Times looks at the longer term impact of plummeting home prices, and the race for CD1 heats up as ballots are about to go out. Last night was the first televised debate in the race.

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October 18, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 18, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's Tuesday!

Attorney General John Kroger has announced that he won't run for re-election due to a "significant but not life-threatening medical condition."

The Eugene Register Guard reports that enrollment at K12 private schools has increased, citing parents' frustration with deep budget cuts to public schools.

It's Tuesday!

Attorney General John Kroger has announced that he won't run for re-election due to a "significant but not life-threatening medical condition."

The Eugene Register Guard reports that enrollment at K12 private schools has increased, citing parents' frustration with deep budget cuts to public schools.

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October 17, 2011
Today's Oregon News: October 17, 2011
By Jenny Smith

It's Monday!

Have you seen Our Oregon's first-hand video looking at the impacts of overcrowding in local classrooms? See it here and share it with your friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXrbemNQ5p8.

Oregonian Columnist David Sarasohn has a sobering look at the strain the economic crisis is putting on food banks--and what additional cuts to the food stamps program would do to the growing number of families in poverty.

Portland's ban on plastic bags has gone into effect over the objections of lobbyists for the plastic bag industry, and the Democratic Summit in Sunriver over the weekend spawned a number of press clips, here, here, here and here.

It's Monday!

Have you seen Our Oregon's first-hand video looking at the impacts of overcrowding in local classrooms? See it here and share it with your friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXrbemNQ5p8.

Oregonian Columnist David Sarasohn has a sobering look at the strain the economic crisis is putting on food banks--and what additional cuts to the food stamps program would do to the growing number of families in poverty.

Portland's ban on plastic bags has gone into effect over the objections of lobbyists for the plastic bag industry, and the Democratic Summit in Sunriver over the weekend spawned a number of press clips, here, here, here and here.

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