25% small business opt out of new state program

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, In 2017, the Oregon legislature set up a government-run retirement system called OregonSaves. After years of delays, one of the program’s major deadlines came and went last month. Businesses had until July 31, to either enroll in OregonSaves or certify that they already offer another retirement program. Employers who…

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University-County Religion Case

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, In rural Southern Oregon, Josephine County commissioners voted 2-1 to cut funding to Oregon State University’s Extension Program after more than a century of providing financial support, threatening the future of 4-H, gardening, and other programs. Commissioners pulled the funding because of what they see as a “woke” agenda…

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Local hospitals costs surge, revenue declines

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation Despite slight improvements, Oregon’s 62 community hospitals continue to lose money, as shown by statistics from Apprise Health Insights, which is part of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. Numbers show the state’s hospitals lost $414 million between the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter…

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Portland debuts 70 homeless pods in new camp

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, The first of a proposed six city-sanctioned homeless camp is expected to open at Southeast Gideon Street and 13th Place in Southeast Portland by August, providing large-scale temporary camping sites. The encampment is expected to provide safe sleeping shelter for about 200 people in 70 shelter pods—or tiny homes—and…

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Portland latest city-sanctioned homeless camp

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, The first of a proposed six city-sanctioned homeless camp is expected to open at Southeast Gideon Street and 13th Place in Southeast Portland by August, providing large-scale temporary camping sites. The encampment is expected to provide safe sleeping shelter for about 200 people in 70 shelter pods—or tiny homes—and tent-camping…

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Oregon receives $688 million for broadband

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, Under President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, Oregon received more than $688 million to expand broadband into rural communities lacking affordable, high-speed internet. Business Oregon’s Broadband Office wants residents to share suggestions for expanding high-speed internet over the next five years under the federal Internet for All program. The aim…

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Vote nears for doctors forming union

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, Doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center may soon follow the lead of their counterparts in Medford by voting to join a union. Providence Medford doctors voted in April to join the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association, and a majority of Portland hospital physicians…

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OSU Ag program loses funding

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, In rural Southern Oregon, Josephine County commissioners voted 2-1 to cut funding to Oregon State University’s Extension Program after more than a century of providing financial support, threatening the future of 4-H, gardening, and other programs. Commissioners pulled the funding because of what they see as a “woke” agenda…

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Oregon doctors seek to form a union

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, Doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center may soon follow the lead of their counterparts in Medford by voting to join a union. Providence Medford doctors voted in April to join the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association, and a majority of Portland hospital physicians…

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INSIDE UKRAINE PART 4: DO WE TRUST MEDIA IN WARTIME?

By Jason Williams Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation, Ukraine Series Background: Jason Williams first went to Ukraine in 2017 to do humanitarian work.  He returned again in May 2023 to provide food, clothing, and medicine to war victims.   This trip was not related to politics or foreign policy but a private charity trip.  His observations…

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