The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Monday, February 5, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
Medford Police Arrest Two Suspects Following Shooting Incident Near Poplar Drive
On February 1 at approximately 8:43 PM, Medford Police responded to 911 calls reporting shots fired in the area of Poplar Drive at Progress Drive. One caller reported that an unknown person was shooting at him as he fled the area. MPD patrol units arrived on scene within several minutes of the first call. Based on evidence at the scene and eyewitness statements, it was quickly determined that gunshots were exchanged between three men associated with a nearby apartment. It was not immediately clear if anyone was actually hit in the gunfire exchange and at least one of the involved suspects was believed to have fled from the scene on foot.
MPD detectives responded to the scene and took two subjects into custody. The investigation continued into the early morning hours and resulted in the arrest of the two suspects listed below. An additional suspect, who has been identified, remains outstanding and the investigation is ongoing. At this time, we believe that no injuries were sustained during the gunfire exchange and that all three subjects involved have been associated in the past.
The listed suspects were arrested and lodged for violation of parole as both were recently released from prison. At the conclusion of this investigation, it is anticipated that additional felony charges could be added.
Suspect #1: Pierpoint, Matthew Ryan (38-years-old), of Medford
Parole Violation – Felony Strangulation/Domestic Violence
Suspect #2: Wright, Devon James (30-years-old), of Medford
Parole Violation – Felon in Possession of a firearm
Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Assist with Mt. Ashland SkiMo
Half of Rogue River Without Power on Sunday
David Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active
The Ashland Police Department’s investigation into the murder of David Grubbs on November 19, 2011 remains open and active. Recently two new detectives have been assigned to look into new leads that have come in.
This case remains important to David’s family, the community, and the Ashland Police Department. As detectives continue to pursue these new leads, anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to the Ashland Police Department at 541-488-2211.
The reward for information leading to an arrest on this case remains at over $21,000.
New Grants Pass State Representative Compared Supporting LGBTQ+ People To Supporting Child Abuse
The newest member of the Oregon House of Representatives claimed supporting LGBTQ+ people was akin to supporting child abuse and accused drag queens of pedophilia in months-old posts on his campaign website.
Dwayne Yunker, a real estate broker and city councilor from Grants Pass, was appointed in December to finish the term of former Rep. Lily Morgan, who resigned to become the city manager of Gold Hill. Yunker was already planning to challenge Morgan in the Republican primary, arguing she wasn’t conservative enough for the southern Oregon district.
Yunker’s campaign website includes a post from last August titled “No to Gay Pride Month,” explaining his decision to skip the beginning of a Grants Pass City Council meeting to protest a proclamation about June as Pride Month. He was a member of the council at the time.
The transgender community college student who accepted the proclamation said it was a step toward making Grants Pass a community where young LGBTQ+ people want to stay and raise families, instead of feeling like they need to escape. But the public comment portion of that meeting began with opposition to the proclamation, and Mayor Sara Bristol faced an unsuccessful recall vote for not “represent(ing) the conservative principles of the majority of her constituents.”
Yunker’s campaign post included claims that drag queens are pedophiles and events including family friendly drag shows or drag queen story hours are attempts to make pedophilia seem acceptable. He further declared that supporting Pride Month was akin to supporting child abuse.
“It is shocking that any adult would endorse this child abuse,” he wrote. “Therefore, on June 7, I did not attend the beginning of the Grants Pass City Council meeting. I will not be a part of or stand next to anyone who supports these abuses.”
He expounded on his objections to Pride Month in a subsequent post, titled “Shouldn’t Christians avoid politics?” In it, Yunker wrote that he considered a statement in the resolution that LGBTQ+ people face persecution to be spurious, or false.
And he claimed that LGBTQ+ people, who he referred to as “the ever-expanding alphabet movement,” discriminated against Christians.
“We cannot sit out afraid someone might call us right wing, homophonic (sic), or even Christian Nationalists,” he wrote.
Yunker didn’t respond to a call or email from the Capital Chronicle on Tuesday. House Minority Leader Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, defended Yunker’s right to express himself.
“While it may be hard for some leftists in Portland to understand this, many Oregonians – including members of the LGBTQ community – do not want children exposed to hyper-sexualized material that they are not developmentally able to understand,” Helfrich said in a statement. “Parents worry about the things their kids are seeing in public, in the classroom and on TV. Elected officials have every right to voice those concerns on behalf of the districts that they represent. Society must be able to have these discussions, and all of us must endeavor to do so respectfully and honestly.”
Kyndall Mason, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said in a statement that Yunker’s job requires him to serve all his constituents, including the LGBTQ+ Oregonians in his district.
“The uninformed, hateful and false ideas written in Rep. Yunker’s blog posts are deeply dangerous, and will direct more hate to these constituents and all trans and queer Oregonians,” Mason said. “While these posts were written before Yunker was appointed to his seat, we’re alarmed to learn that they are still on his campaign website, and are from less than a year ago.”
She added that the group is proud of the majority of lawmakers who have protected the state’s reputation as one of the strongest states for LGBTQ+ rights, and that she’s confident Yunker’s views are “on the very fringe” of the Legislature.
Oregon has long been a leader in LGBTQ+ political representation – Gov. Tina Kotek is one of the first lesbians to run a state, and she succeeded bisexual former Gov. Kate Brown. The state, particularly Portland and Eugene, have attracted LGBTQ+ people from across the nation for decades.
It’s unusual for the state’s elected officials to openly express such anti-gay or anti-trans rhetoric.
Legislative Republicans adamantly opposed a law passed last year to protect doctors who perform abortions or gender-affirming care from prosecution or civil liability as other states restrict or ban such care and strengthen requirements that health insurers cover reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, including treatments like facial feminization surgery and electrolysis that are now treated as cosmetic procedures. They also objected to a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal an unenforced ban on same-sex marriage and protect people from for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
But most framed their opposition as concern over parental rights and fears that minors would make permanent medical decisions they’d regret in the future. Senate Republicans also suggested a compromise on the proposed constitutional amendment to only repeal the ban on gay marriage.
This year, some House Republicans have said they plan to introduce legislation during the session that begins Feb. 5 to bar trans people from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity and block trans girls from participating in girls’ sports. Neither measure is expected to go anywhere in the state Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats. (SOURCE)
Suspect In Medford Laundry Murder Now In Custody After Multiple Day Manhunt
Update, 01/30/24 at 2:30PM
After multiple days of searching for the homicide suspect, Jesus Armando Pena Jr., the Medford Police Department is reporting that we have him in custody. Detectives and Officers have been following up on leads and tracking down the suspect for three days. We have used the Medford Police Department SWAT team for numerous operations including attempting contact with the suspect at a residence in the 800-block of Pennsylvania Avenue this morning at around 7:00 AM. The suspect was not located at the house, but investigators continued to develop information which led them to 379 Savage Creek Road, between Rogue River and Grants Pass. At around 1:44 PM on January 30, Jesus Pena Jr. was taken into custody by the Medford Police Department SWAT team. He was unharmed and surrendered peacefully.
Pena Jr. will be interviewed and then lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Murder and other related charges.
Update, 1/28/24 at 5:30PM
Throughout the day of Sunday, Jan 28, MPD Detectives have been actively working this case and attempting to locate the suspect in the shooting that occurred on the evening of 01/27/23 at the Weldon’s Laundromat on Crater Lake Avenue. As a result of that investigation, two search warrants were served at different locations as detectives attempted to locate the suspect and possible evidence in this case. At about 8:00AM, detectives and members of the Medford Police Department SWAT team served a search warrant in the 400 block of Fairmount Street. The suspect was not located. Then, at 3:35PM, SWAT team members and detectives served another search warrant in the 1400-block of Thomas Road. Agan, the suspect was not located.
In attempts to locate the suspect in this case, we are releasing the name and photograph of the suspect in hopes that someone with information will call us.
SUSPECT:
Jesus Armando Pena Jr. (18 years old). Described as a Hispanic male, 5’7”, 175lbs, black hair, brown eyes, and a light mustache/goatee.
Photo #1 – Jesus Pena jr.
Photo #2 – Suspect photo from Laundromat
Pena recently escaped from Oregon Youth Authority custody and has only been in the Medford area a short while. He has warrants for his arrest. His whereabouts and clothing description are unknown. If you know where he is, or have information about this case, we are asking you to call dispatch at 541-770-4783 and reference MPD case number 24-1584.
The victim in this case has been identified as 51-year-old Justin William Keaton.
Original Release
On Saturday evening, January 27th at about 5:50PM the Medford Police Department responded to the report of shots fired at a Laundromat in the 600-Block of Crater Lake Avenue. Patrol Officers were on scene within two minutes and discovered a male with multiple gunshot wounds inside the laundromat. This victim was pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives were called to the scene and have been working this case overnight.
At the time of this release, we are not releasing the name of the victim or the circumstances of the shooting as this is an active and ongoing investigation. We have been unable to contact next-of-kin.
There is no further information at this time and additional details will be released as they become available. We are urging anyone with information about this case to call the Medford Police Department through Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon at 541-770-4783.
Medford Police Investigating Armed Robbery on Stewart Avenue
At about 1:58 AM on Wednesday, January 31, the Medford Police Department responded to the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Time Out Sports Bar in the 1200-block of Stewart Ave. Upon our arrival, the suspect had fled on foot. Officers learned that an unknown subject displayed a handgun and demanded money from the clerk, who was in the process of closing the business for the night. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Officers used a police K9 to track the suspect through nearby neighborhoods but were unable to locate them. We are releasing a photo from the businesses video surveillance system in hopes that a member of the public may have some information about the suspect’s identity. Please keep in mind that colors, height, and weight may be distorted in these photos. We do believe the suspect to be a younger white male of slim build. The suspect is wearing all dark clothing, a hood, gloves and a black and white face mask. He is wearing distinct Van’s brand shoes.
Anyone with information on this case can call Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (dispatch) at 541-770-4783 and reference MPD case number 24-1792.
Medford Police to Participate in Safety Belt Overtime Enforcement Program
Beginning Monday, January 29 through Sunday, February 11, Medford Police, along with law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon, will be participating in the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Safety Belt Overtime Enforcement Program. Law enforcement agencies will be using federally funded overtime to educate the public about safety belt and child seat laws including a law passed in 2017 increasing safety for children under age two.
ODOT crash data for 2021 shows lack of safety belt or child restraint use was a factor in 32% or 119 of a total 377 motor vehicle occupant fatalities. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages one through twelve-years-old. In 2021, 1,475 children under twelve were injured in Oregon traffic crashes, 16 percent were reported not using a child restraint system. It is estimated that car seats may increase crash survival by 71% for infants under one year old and by up to 59% for toddlers aged one to four. Booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among four- to eight-year-olds by 45% compared to safety belts used alone.
In 2017 an Oregon law was passed requiring children to ride in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least two years old. A child over age two must continue to ride in a car seat with harness or in a booster until they reach age eight or 4’ 9” in height and the adult belt fits them correctly. The 2017 law, which extends the rear-facing requirement from the previous age one to age two, will better protect the child’s head, neck, and spine from potential crash injuries. This is because a rear-facing seat spreads crash forces evenly across the seat and child’s body while also limiting forward or sideways motion of the head.
For help selecting or installing child car seats, consult the seat manufacturer’s instructions, your vehicle owner’s manual, or visit a local child seat fitting station listed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#inspection-inspection
Registration Open For Rogue Community College’s New Nursing Program Cohort
Jackson and Josephine counties (Jan. 17, 2024) – After receiving approval from the Oregon State Board of Nursing for a new Certified Nursing Assistant 2 (CNA2) program, Rogue Community College has opened registration for the first cohort that starts in February.
The program meets rigorous standards set by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) and enables students to advance from CNA1 to a CNA2 certification. It will provide students with thorough training that aligns with industry standards and helps them prepare for a successful and meaningful career in nursing.
Throughout the program, students will delve into essential topics such as how to collaborate with the healthcare team, nutrition methods, safety risks and emergency care, legal and ethical issues, physical and mental disease processes, observation and reporting, documentation, infection control and interpersonal skills. Students will also gain practical experience during 88 hours of training that will have online and in-person components.
Students will also have the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world scenarios during hands-on, supervised clinical training at a local healthcare facility located in Josephine or Jackson County.
The CNA2 program allows nursing students to gain specialized knowledge and skills that help them grow in their careers, discover new job opportunities and increase their earning potential.
The program positively impacts the local economy, as Southern Oregon has two large hospital systems—Providence Medford Medical Center and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center—with a variety of employment opportunities available. For more information, email nursingassistant@roguecc.edu.
Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death —
https://original.newsbreak.com/@ada-e-1668135/3304227455096-fauna-frey-45-disappeared-in-oregon-on-a-road-trip-june-29-2020-following-her-brother-s-death
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040
PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com.
Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Oregon Receives $60 Million For Rental Support And Social Services
The Biden administration announced this week it’s awarding more than $3 billion to thousands of programs nationwide to fight homelessness.
That amount, for 2003 Continuum of Care grants, marks a new high, the administration said.
“We are doing all we can to get people off the street and into permanent homes with access to services,” said Marcia Fudge, the Housing and Urban Development secretary in a release. “That is why we are making sure the service providers on the frontlines of this crisis have the resources they need.”
The grants include more than $60 million for Oregon nonprofits and other entities to support programs that house young people and others from Portland, Medford and Ashland to Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. A total of 140 applicants won grants ranging from more than $8 million to $10,000. More than $50 million is allocated to current programs to keep them going, while more than $4 million is aimed at keeping young people housed. More than $2 million is for new initiatives in Clackamas, Lane, Marion, and Multnomah counties, along with about the same amount for planning initiatives.
Oregon’s six Democratic lawmakers in Congress – Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas – welcomed the money in a joint statement.
“These new and continuing awards are vital for communities and individuals in need of critical housing resources and support. I won’t stop working to ensure Oregonians in every corner of the state have access to safe, dependable, and affordable housing,” Merkley said.
A large share of the money is going to nonprofit and government programs in the Portland area.
Home Forward, the public housing authority for Multnomah County, won the biggest grant of nearly $8.4 million. The money will be used to fund several ongoing programs that currently serve nearly 500 households by helping them with rent and social services.
“We are very grateful to HUD for this vital funding support that allows us to keep up with rent increases while maintaining our current service levels for the nearly 500 households in our community who rely on this assistance,” Martha Calhoon, a spokesperson for Home Forward, said in a statement.
The programs help a range of low-income people, including those with chronic addictions or who’ve been chronically homeless, people with HIV who have a mental disability, veterans who’ve been homeless, households with at least one person with a disability and heads of households suffering from severe and persistent mental illness.
Most are on Medicaid, and they pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent. If they have no income, they pay nothing.
A total of 12 agencies involved with the grant provide housing, addiction treatment, mental health and other social services. Those agencies include Central City Concern, a large provider based in Portland; Multnomah County; Cascadia Health, one of the largest behavioral health care agencies in the state; and the Veterans Affairs.
Central City Concern won its own grant of $3.4 million, the second biggest. Spokesperson Juliana Lukasik said the money is dedicated to a program that provides long-term housing stability for people with high needs, including those with addictions, severe and persistent mental illness and the chronically homeless.
Those in the program pay 30% of their rent. Last year, the program served about 185 people, including nearly 160 who’ve been chronically homeless. Lukasik said about 60% had retained housing for more than five years while about 95% had stayed housed for more more than one year.186 client served
Like Home Forward, Central City Concern works with other agencies, including the Native American Rehabilitation Association, to provide health care and other services, and it uses people who’ve experienced homelessness themselves as peers to help those in the program.
The third biggest grant, nearly $3 million, went to the Washington County Department of Housing Services. A spokeswoman, Emily Roots, said in a statement that the money will be used to help house about 200 households. To qualify, participants must have a disability and be chronically homeless at the time of acceptance into the program.
They are required to pay 30% of the rent, and they’re housed in apartments, Roots said. A variety of services are offered such as behavioral health treatment, aging and disability services, HIV/AIDS services and general case management. (SOURCE)
Treasury Proactively Returning $10 Million in Unclaimed Funds to Oregonians
Individuals will receive funds through the ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative in February
Salem, OR—Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read announced today Treasury will be proactively returning approximately $10 million in unclaimed property this month to individuals as part of the agency’s 2024 ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative.
“We’re excited to reconnect thousands of individuals with their unclaimed funds without requiring any action on their part,” Treasurer Read said. “In addition to collecting and safeguarding Oregonians’ unclaimed property, Treasury is committed to returning these assets and helping to bolster our citizen’s financial well-being.”
Through ‘Checks Without Claims’, Treasury will proactively disburse payments to verified owners of unclaimed property reported to the state’s Unclaimed Property Program in 2021 and 2022. Payments, via check, will be mailed to individuals this month and accompanied by an additional confirmation letter from the Treasurer.
In 2023, Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program conducted ‘Checks Without Claims’ and reconnected more than 18,000 individuals – from Oregon and 47 other states – with their unclaimed funds.
With over $1 billion in unclaimed funds currently held by the state, ‘Checks Without Claims’ is one of many efforts to reconnect more Oregonians with their unclaimed money and property. Payments distributed through ‘Checks Without Claims’ represent unclaimed property reported to the state in 2021 and 2022 by various businesses and organizations that were unable to return funds to the rightful owner. Common examples of unclaimed property include uncashed checks, forgotten bank accounts, tax refunds, credit balances, investment accounts, payroll checks, refunds, and more.
Nearly one in seven people in the United States has unclaimed property. To help raise awareness around unclaimed funds, Treasury joined programs across the country this week to celebrate National Unclaimed Property Day, held annually on February 1. In fiscal year 2023, more than $5.4 billion dollars in unclaimed property was returned to its rightful owners according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
Typically, individuals need to file a claim with Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program and complete the verification process to receive the funds they are owed. Treasury conducts ‘Checks Without Claims’ to proactively verify some owners of unclaimed assets and facilitate payments directly to them. Checks distributed will vary in amount between $50 and $10,000.
Searching for unclaimed funds is free and easy. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit Treasury’s unclaimed property website at unclaimed.oregon.gov.
More information about ‘Checks Without Claims’ is available online at https://unclaimed.oregon.gov/app/checks-without-cl… Questions about unclaimed funds or “Checks without Claims” can be directed to Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program via email claims@ost.state.or.us or phone at 503-378-4000.
About Oregon State Treasury
Oregon State Treasury improves the financial well-being of all Oregonians. We provide low-cost banking, debt management, and investment programs for governments and empower Oregonians to invest in themselves and their loved ones through the Oregon College Savings Plan, Oregon ABLE Savings Plan, and OregonSaves.
Drug Addiction, Housing and Homelessness Dominate Legislative Session
When Oregon lawmakers return to Salem for their 35-day session starting Feb. 5, they will face the same issues that topped their agenda last year — housing and homelessness, and mental health and addiction treatment.
Unlike legislatures in other states, according to a recent survey by The New York Times, Oregon will not have pitched political battles over abortion and gun rights this year. They went through those last year. Although the Democratic majorities prevailed, a walkout by Senate Republicans that thwarted business for six weeks forced Democrats to scale back the scope of abortion rights and gun regulations.
But lawmakers will have plenty to deal with.
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has proposed $500 million to jump-start housing production — something she didn’t do in the 2023 session — and $100 million more for efforts to help unhoused people, avert evictions and move people into housing.
Attached to the money are proposals to fund water and sewer lines and other infrastructure needed for housing construction, simplify the local permit process, and give cities a one-time option to expand beyond their urban growth boundaries to allow development. Her proposal for the latter failed at the close of the 2023 session, and it remains to be seen whether the issue can be resolved.
Meanwhile, lawmakers will deal with a proposal from a joint committee to ease barriers to addiction treatment. But most of the attention — and criticism — has focused on a provision to reinstate criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of specified drugs in a reversal of what voters approved in Measure 110 in 2020. The penalties were converted into violations punishable by a maximum fine of $100 or a referral for drug evaluation.
Treatment advocates say the proposal is a step backward. But law enforcement advocates say the proposal does not go far enough and that penalties should be stricter. Their argument may not end with the session’s close by a deadline of March 10, but with another ballot measure for the Nov. 5 general election.
The Legislature’s only duty in its even-numbered-year session is to ensure a balanced budget, although the state’s two-year budget is adopted in the odd-numbered year, when the session runs for 160 days.
Dan Rayfield, a Democrat from Corvallis who is serving his final session as speaker of the Oregon House, says lawmakers are being asked to do a lot of other things, but the 2024 session will go by fast and lawmakers will be unable to deal with every issue brought before them.
“You have to do your work ahead of time if you are going to be successful,” he said.
Read more about Kotek’s housing and homelessness bill here. Learn more about Measure 110 reforms here . (SOURCE)
OHCS awards $20 million to boost affordable modular housing production in Oregon
SALEM, ORE. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) awards $20 million to modular housing developers to boost production of these homes throughout Oregon. The developers will prioritize supplying modular housing that is affordable to state and local governments following a wildfire or other disaster, low-income housing construction and middle-income housing construction.
“Oregon needs affordable and middle-income housing in all shapes and sizes,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Investing in the production capacity of modular homes is vital to increasing housing options particularly in rural communities.”
Housing is considered modular when building sections are built in a factory and then put together at the intended site. The modular method of housing development can help accelerate affordable housing production as it can lower construction costs and reduce construction schedules compared to traditional building methods.
OHCS created the Modular Housing Development Fund to distribute the $20 million allocated through House Bill 2001 in the 2023 legislative session. The agency worked quickly to get funds out the door, opening applications for funding in November 2023. There were 17 eligible applicants, and the agency intends to award funding to the following four:
| Organization | Amount | City |
| Blazer Industries, Inc. | $5 million | Aumsville |
| Intelifab, LLC | $5 million | Klamath Falls |
| Pacific Wall Systems, Inc. | $5 million | Phoenix |
| Zaugg Timber Solutions, Inc. | $5 million | Portland |
“Thank you to the Oregon legislature and applicants. OHCS remains committed in being a partner in the collective journey to increase housing production across Oregon so everyone can have a safe, stable, and healthy place to call home,” said Bell.
Oregon Senate Republicans Cannot Run For Office Again After Walkout Per Ruling Mandates
Oregon Senate Republicans who participated in a historic 2023 walkout will not be allowed to run for office again, the Oregon Supreme Court announced Thursday morning.
In 2023, nine Oregon Senate Republicans walked off the job for 42 days in protest of a bill that protected abortion rights and gender-affirming health care.
Following this walkout, the Oregon Secretary of State ruled participating senators would be unable to run for office immediately after the current term due to Measure 113.
Voted-approved Measure 113 mandates that “any state legislator who accrues 10 or more unexcused absences during a legislative session shall be disqualified from holding legislative office” immediately following the current term.
The nine senators petitioned against the Secretary of State’s upholding of the measure following the walkout.
The Republicans argued that Measure 113’s wording was ambiguous when voted upon by voters, and did not support the secretary’s interpretation and enforcement of the rule after the walkout.
The Supreme Court states that it is upholding the secretary’s interpretation and that the Republicans who participated in the walkout will be unable to run for office again.
The court says that “the ballot measure history uniformly supported the Secretary’s interpretation,” and that “the ballot title and the voters’ pamphlet expressly and repeatedly informed voters that the disqualification would occur immediately following the legislator’s current term.”
The court concluded that voters would have understood the disqualification to apply to the term of office immediately following the term in which a legislator accrued 10 or more unexcused absences.
This means nine Republicans and one Independent senator who staged the record-long six-week legislative walkout in 2023 cannot file for re-election in 2024 or 2026.
Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Measure 113
Salem, OR—The Oregon Supreme Court ruled today in favor of Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade’s interpretation of Measure 113, which disqualifies legislators with unexcused absences in 2023 from running for reelection in 2024.
“I’ve said from the beginning my intention was to support the will of the voters,” said Secretary Griffin-Valade. “It was clear to me that voters intended for legislators with a certain number of absences in a legislative session to be immediately disqualified from seeking reelection. I’m thankful to the Oregon Supreme Court for providing clarity on how to implement Measure 113.”
The Secretary announced in August she would direct the Elections Division to implement an administrative rule providing guidance to candidates on Measure 113, which was passed by voters in November 2022. Measure 113 states that 10 or more unexcused absences “shall disqualify the member from holding office as a Senator or Representative for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.”
Media Advisory: Oregon Employment Department Prepares Customers for New Unemployment Insurance System Launch
Oregon Employment Department Prepares Customers for New Unemployment Insurance System Launch
Frances Online will replace existing systems for benefit claims, with five-day migration at the end of February; Other OED customers to be impacted by the migration
JAN. 31, 2024 (SALEM, ORE.) – The Oregon Employment Department (OED) will migrate to a new online claim system for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits on Monday, March 4. The new system, Frances Online, will provide better service for claimants and employers. It is also the final rollout for the UI modernization project that has been years in the making.
“This is a great leap forward for anyone who needs access to unemployment insurance,” said David Gerstenfeld, director of the Oregon Employment Department. “As we’ve learned in the earlier phases of this modernization effort, Frances Online offers an easier customer service experience and will streamline the process of filing a claim.”
The migration of UI benefits to Frances Online will begin on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. and go through 8 a.m. on March 4. A migration period like this is normal for any big technology project. OED will not be able to provide customer service for several OED programs during the migration. This is because the old UI systems and Frances Online (employer and claimant portals) will go offline.
Key Information for Current UI Claimants
Current UI claimants will not be able to file a weekly claim, check the status of a claim, make changes to claim information, make payments, respond to requests for additional information, or complete ID verification during the migration. Below are key dates that current claimants must follow to avoid potential benefit payment delays:
- Feb. 28-March 1: All UI phone lines are closed (closed regularly on weekends).
- Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.: Due date to file a weekly UI claim for the week of Feb. 18-24 to avoid payment delays. If the due date is missed, claimants can’t file their weekly claim until March 4. Their benefits will be delayed.
- Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.: Old UI systems go offline; UI Telephone Weekly Claim Line (800-982-8920) closes.
- March 4 at 8 a.m.: Frances Online goes live with UI benefits (including Contact Us form, chatbot, and live agent chat); UI phone lines open; Claimants can file prior weekly claims, but benefits will be delayed; and claimants can file a timely claim for the week of Feb. 25-March 2.
More detailed information about the migration impact for UI claimants can be found at unemployment.oregon.gov/frances. Staff at all WorkSource Oregon centers and OED Central Office in Salem won’t be able to answer claim questions during the migration. However, WorkSource Oregon offices and WorkSourceOregon.org will be open for job search, training, and career support.
Impacts to Paid Leave Oregon and Other Programs
Below are other key dates and information for OED customers.
- February 27 before 5 p.m.: Last day to file a new initial UI claim or restart a current claim until March 4.
- February 28 before 5 p.m.: Last day to file a new Paid Leave Oregon claim (including intermittent claims) until March 4.
- February 28-March 1: Paid Leave Oregon and Contributions & Recovery phone lines and online support closed (closed regularly on weekends).
- February 28 at 5 p.m.: Frances Online website, including all features and functions, will be offline, including the portals for claimants and employers. Customers will not be able to file a new or intermittent Paid Leave Oregon claim, file or amend tax reports, make payments, complete ID verification, create a Frances Online account, apply for Paid Leave Oregon assistance grants, or respond to requests for additional information during the migration.
- March 4 at 8 a.m.: Frances Online, phone lines, and online support reopen.
“We’ve been working for years to ensure that this transition works for our customers,” said Lindsi Leahy, director of the Unemployment Insurance Division at OED. “We know Oregonians depend on the benefits we provide. And we’re bringing on additional staff to ensure that, once the new system is live, we can help people get their benefits quickly.”
This is the third and final rollout for launching OED’s modernized benefits and contributions system. Last year, OED launched the new Paid Leave Oregon benefits program in Frances Online. In 2022, UI and Paid Leave Oregon tax/contribution programs were launched in the new system. UI benefits is the last major program migration for the UI Modernization Project, which the agency has been preparing for since 2018. The project baseline budget for the Paid Leave and UI system is approximately $106 million.
“We want our customers to know that we will help them navigate the migration to the new system,” said Renee Royston, director of the Modernization Division at OED. “Once we’re done, we’ll have a much easier-to-use online claims system with stronger protections against fraud and identity theft.”
OED encourages current UI claimants to check their mail daily, review all letters and messages, check unemployment.oregon.gov/frances, and follow OED on social media for important updates about the migration. Paid Leave Oregon claimants can visit paidleave.oregon.gov in the coming weeks to learn more about these impacts.
### The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.
