The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Oregon Beach Weather
Today– Scattered showers, mainly before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday– Scattered showers, mainly before 11am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 57. North northwest wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday– A 20 percent chance of showers after 11am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday– A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Monday– A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Oregon reports 394 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 7 new deaths
There are seven new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,601. The Oregon Health Authority reported 394 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 196,787.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (6), Clackamas (31), Clatsop (5), Columbia (4), Coos (1), Crook (11), Curry (6), Deschutes (36), Douglas (8), Grant (1), Harney (3), Hood River (1), Jackson (31), Jefferson (8), Josephine (11), Klamath (9), Lake (1), Lane (22), Lincoln (1), Linn (24), Malheur (4), Marion (42), Morrow (1), Multnomah (57), Polk (8), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (10), Union (1), Wallowa (2), Wasco (4), Washington (32) and Yamhill (10).
Vaccinations in Oregon
Today, OHA reported that 24,280 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 17,217 doses were administered on May 18 and 7,063 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on May 18.
The 7-day running average is now 27,118 doses per day.
Oregon has now administered a total of 1,994,644 first and second doses of Pfizer, 1,491,984 first and second doses of Moderna and 125,435 single doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. As of today, 1,635,033 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series. There are 2,097,233 people who have had at least one dose.
Cumulative daily totals can take several days to finalize because providers have 72 hours to report doses administered and technical challenges have caused many providers to lag in their reporting. OHA has been providing technical support to vaccination sites to improve the timeliness of their data entry into the state’s ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS).
To date, 2,441,205 doses of Pfizer, 1,968,260 doses of Moderna and 269,300 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to sites across Oregon.
These data are preliminary and subject to change. OHA’s dashboards provide regularly updated vaccination data, and Oregon’s dashboard has been updated today.
COVID-19 hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 306, which is 25 fewer than yesterday. There are 78 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is one fewer than yesterday.
The total number of COVID-19 positive patient bed-days in the most recent seven days is 2,338, which is a 0.9% increase from the previous seven days. The peak daily number of beds occupied by COVID-19 positive patients in the most recent seven days is 351.
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity. More information about hospital capacity can be found here.
Weekly COVID-19 cases decline, deaths and hospitalizations rise
The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows decreases in daily cases and increases in hospitalizations and deaths from the previous week.
OHA reported 4,108 new daily cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, May 10, through Sunday, May 16. That represents a 16% decrease from the previous week.
New COVID-19 related hospitalizations rose to 265, up from 245 last week.
Reported COVID-19 related deaths rose to 57, up from 31 last week — the highest weekly death toll in 10 weeks.
There were 103,155 tests for COVID-19 for the week of May 9 through May 15 — a 7% decrease from last week. The percentage of positive tests rose from 6.1% to 6.4%.
People 70 years of age and older have accounted for 38% of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and 75% of COVID-19 related deaths.
Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 40 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19 related deaths.
LOCAL HEADLINES:
Coquille Indian Tribe Receive Grant for Economic Development
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Wednesday that the Coquille Indian Tribe will receive $180,000 from the Economic Development Administration to build an economic development planning framework that supports private capital investment and job creation in the Coos County region.
“Investments like this are key to continued tribal sovereignty in Coos County and throughout our state,” Wyden said. “After more than a year of the pandemic that has been catastrophic to the health of Oregonians as well as the economies of tribal communities, partnerships like this one will diversify and strengthen economies on and around Coquille land.”
“When it comes to recovering from the intense devastation of this pandemic, we have a responsibility to make sure that no one is left behind in the recovery,” Merkley said. “Congress has a long history of bad-faith deals and broken promises with tribal communities. This grant is an important opportunity to turn the page and write a new chapter where Congress supports tribal sovereignty and self-determination and works alongside tribes to create economic opportunities.”
This EDA planning investment supports the Coquille Indian Tribe with the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy to promote job creation, as well as provide better health care and higher educational standards for its members and their families. The project will bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to improve the overall quality of life in area, which will diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
“The Coquille Indian Tribe is proud and excited to work with the EDA on this project,” said Coquille Tribal Chairman Brenda Meade. “Creating a comprehensive economic development strategy will strengthen self-sufficiency for our tribe and the communities around us.”
Cannon Beach Rural Fire District Looks At Food & Beverage Tax To Help With Increased Costs
The Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District tourist-related calls for service has increased by 70 percent in 2020 and the district is looking for a way to increase its funding to be able to serve the community. The district has been trying to get something done about its budget problem since May of 2019, Fire Chief Marc Reckmann stated. They have been talking with the city in hope that the council would agree to institute a 2 percent food and beverage tax to pay for additional district staff.
The district currently has 16 volunteers, one paid fire chief, a paid division chief of operations and a grant-funded position through December of 2022 for a recruitment and retention officer, Reckmann said.
The district has the lowest permanent per thousand tax rate in the state, he said. In 2019, voters approved a tax of 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to pay for the new operations chief and some money in the reserves. In total, the district receives 89 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which is “extremely low” compared to the average rate on the north central coast of $1.37 per $1,000.
“Typically calls drop off after Labor Day and stay relatively low until Memorial Day,” Reckman acknowledges… “Since September, we have set records every month for calls.” From January 1 to April 30, calls increased 34 percent compared to the previous two years.
He said he met with the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce recently and the chamber suggested they try a 2 percent F&B tax and “see what that generates.” The city is “talking about implementing a 5 percent food and beverage tax” and keeping the remaining funds to pay for a new city hall and police station, he said.
Food and beverage taxes apply to prepared or ready-to-go food such as what restaurants, delis and coffee shops serve, he said. A consultant estimated that such a tax would generate $2 million a year.
He said the city’s Transient Lodging Tax, in part, provides money to market Cannon Beach to tourists. That increases the district’s calls for service, but none of that money goes to the fire district. It is “unfair” that the district gets none of those funds and yet has the “responsibility for the public’s safety.”
The district has a $1,000 annual contract with the national parks service so they can’t charge individuals for rescues. “That doesn’t pay for a lot.” That is something the district is trying to change. A meeting with the city was scheduled on May 4 but the city cancelled it and has yet to reschedule.
Gold Beach to Adopt Ordinance for Vacation Rentals
In a move to crack down on online intermediaries for vacation rentals — Airbnb, Priceline, Vrbo — the Gold Beach City Council adopted an ordinance to enforce payment of state and local lodging taxes, during a May 2 meeting.
AROUND the STATE of OREGON
Oregon Economic Forecast Shows Strong Revenue and Kicker Rebates
Oregon state leaders state that Oregon is on track to bring in an additional $1 billion in tax revenues this budget cycle and could pay out a “kicker” tax rebate of up to $1.4 billion, state economists told lawmakers Wednesday afternoon. It’s a dramatic rebound from the down forecast one year ago.
“Today’s forecast is stunning,” House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, said in a press release. “A year ago, the world was in a free fall. Oregon’s decisions and investments in the face of converging crises have started an incredibly strong recovery.”
Senate Republicans proclaimed in a press release that “Oregon is swimming in money.” Senate President Peter Courtney described the forecast as “unbelievable.”
Federal aid that poured into Oregon in the form of higher-than-usual unemployment benefits for almost anyone out of a job due to the pandemic, even if they weren’t seeking other work, and assistance for renters, business owners, health care providers and other groups helped lead to the strong economic performance and mammoth taxes projected to pour in from individuals and corporations.
With just six weeks left in the two-year budget cycle that ends in June, lawmakers aren’t expected to spend more than a trickle of the unanticipated $1 billion in the current budget, which is already about $24 billion. So that money will be there to cushion the next state budget from the huge tax write-offs the kicker will provide during that period.
Additionally, economists Mark McMullen and Josh Lehner predicted the state will reap an additional $1 billion more than previously expected in every biennium through 2027.
McMullen noted there is a lot riding on the accuracy of state economists’ revenue estimates for the next two years, because the state’s unique kicker rebate is triggered when tax revenues for a biennium come in more than 2% above economists’ forecast from the start of the cycle. The state must return the full amount above the forecast to taxpayers. He cautioned lawmakers against blowing all the anticipated cash, in case actual revenues turn out to be lower.
“We really have to stick our necks out with an aggressive forecast or we risk giving away the mother of all kickers,” McMullen said. “While this is great for budget-writers, I really implore them that savings going forward is a must.”
Budget writers have until June 27 to wrap up that spending plan and all other legislative business. They already had $2.6 billion from the latest federal aide package to allocate as well.
In press releases, Gov. Kate Brown and Democratic and Republican legislative leaders all spoke about the importance of focusing on one-time spending items rather than establishing new, ongoing commitments and they acknowledged the uncertainty around future revenues. “We must also recognize that the extended tax-filing deadline and delayed information on the federal relief funds have created significant budget uncertainty,” Kotek said. “As we balance the state budget, we must maintain strong reserves to ensure we can adjust as needed.”
“As we near the end of the legislative session, I am urging the Legislature to pass a budget that reflects these investments — a budget Oregon can be proud of and that will continue moving us forward — while at the same time reserving additional general fund dollars,” Brown said.
Oregon taxpayers would receive their share of the kicker as a credit against their 2021 taxes when they file next spring. The size of the rebate would be based on how much tax they paid the state when they filed their 2020 taxes this year. For people whose earnings are within the state’s median adjusted gross income range of $35,000 to $40,000, they would receive a $312 rebate. The top 1% of earners with about $442,000 in income could receive rebates of $12,000.
Rep. Khanh Pham, a Democrat from Portland, said the estimates of rebate sizes by income level illustrated why the rebate, which is enshrined in the state’s constitution, should be reformed or eliminated. The kicker “is just so unequal, so inequitable,” Pham said.
The state’s largest business lobbying group, Oregon Business & Industry, seized on the good economic news to call for lawmakers to end any discussion of raising taxes by scaling back or eliminating breaks this session.
“Lawmakers should immediately close the books on discussions of tax increases in any form,” Oregon Business & Industry president Sandra McDonough wrote in a statement.
Democrats had expressed interest in repealing Oregon’s copycat versions of new federal tax breaks created in 2020, including one that overwhelmingly benefits just the top 1% of earners and another that only applies to businesses with at least $25 million in annual revenue. Some also wanted to eliminate a tax break copied from federal code that allows businesses that received federal Paycheck Protection Program grants to reduce their tax bills by writing off their expenditures of taxpayer money. The momentum to eliminate those breaks fizzled amid repeated positive revenue forecasts, even though those forecasts showed many businesses — with exceptions such as the hospitality industry — rebounded quickly or did well during the pandemic.
Revenue Forecast: Legislature Can Fully Fund the Oregon Health Plan
Becky Hultberg, President and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, released the following statement on today’s revenue forecast.
“Today’s revenue forecast, which wowed lawmakers and economists alike, shows that the state has more than enough resources to meet its commitments to Oregonians most in need. We are heartened to hear legislative leaders say that they can fund vital priorities this biennium, and that Oregon’s recovery will extend well into future budget cycles. Given the challenges Oregon families have faced due to COVID-19, it is critical to ensure full access to care during this time of uncertainty. We can and should commit to ensuring continued access to health care for the more than 1.2 million Oregonians served by the Oregon Health Plan and to supporting the providers and organizations that care for them.”
About OAHHS: Founded in 1934, OAHHS is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon’s innovative health care delivery system. Oregon Assn. of Hosp. and Health Systems (OAHHS)
Oregon Senate Votes To Make Health Care A Right
Oregon voters will decide in November 2022 whether health care is a fundamental right that merits a place in the state constitution. House lawmakers voted 34-23 along party lines on Wednesday to send a constitutional amendment to voters that would ensure every Oregonian has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a human right.
A vote in the House cleared the way for Oregon voters to decide in November 2022 whether health care should be considered a right in the Oregon Constitution. The House passed Senate Joint Resolution 12 on a 34-23 vote along party lines on Wednesday, May 19. The resolution does not require the governor’s signature.
The Oregon Senate on Thursday approved a resolution that would ask voters to decide whether the state is obligated to ensure that every resident has access to affordable health care as a fundamental human right.
The resolution, whose aim is to amend the state Constitution, was approved along party lines, with Democratic senators in favor and Republicans opposed. It next goes to the House in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.
A similar effort in 2018 was approved by the House but it died in committee in the Senate. If it had been put on the ballot and approved by voters, it would have been the first constitutional amendment in any state to create a fundamental right to healthcare.
“Every Oregonian deserves access to cost-effective and clinically appropriate health care,” said Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner. “Oregon’s Constitution should reflect that truth.”
If the House passes the bill, voters would be asked to consider amending the state’s 162-year-old Constitution.
Republicans said any promise to ensure all Oregonians are entitled to health care lacks financial backing.
It is estimated that it would cost up to $4 billion for state-supported insurance coverage to reach everyone under the Oregon Health Plan, which is jointly funded by federal and state governments.
Oregon’s uninsured adults are estimated at 6% of the population. Most children are now covered.
Ballot-Initiative Efforts To Move Eastern Oregon Counties To Idaho Gains Momentum
Five eastern Oregon counties voted Tuesday in favor of considering becoming part of Idaho. Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur and Sherman counties join Union and Jefferson, which voted last year to require county officials to study or promote joining Idaho.
Grant voted 1,471 to 895 for county officials “to meet and discuss relocating Idaho border.”
Lake voted 1,341 to 463 for the “relocation of Idaho border” to be taken up in “county board of commissioners meetings.”
Malheur voted 3,050 to 2,572 for “county court meetings regarding relocation of Oregon-Idaho border.”
Sherman voted 429 to 260 in favor of “promoting moving Oregon-Idaho border.”
Baker County results are not yet available from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.
The group Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho is hoping Gov. Kate Brown’s statewide stay-at-home order won’t derail for long its newly launched signature-gathering effort in Josephine County.
The grassroots group Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho wants to flip Oregon’s mostly rural eastern and southern counties — plus a few northern counties in California — into Idaho, believing they’d be better off in Idaho’s more conservative political environment. It’s hoping that political pressure from county initiative votes will lead to negotiations between Oregon and Idaho to move the border between the two states, putting up to 22 of Oregon’s 36 counties in Idaho.
“This election proves that rural Oregon wants out of Oregon,” lead petitioner Mike McCarter said in a statement. “If Oregon really believes in liberal values such as self-determination, the Legislature won’t hold our counties captive against our will. If we’re allowed to vote for which government officials we want, we should be allowed to vote for which government we want as well.”
The signature-gathering effort “to gain political refuge from blue states” was hampered last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s now picking up some momentum. Several prominent elected officials in Idaho, including Gov. Brad Little, have expressed support for the movement.
Despite the many significant jurisdictional, economic and bureaucratic issues that a new border would involve, Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho says the movement has spurred a passionate response, noting that the average turnout in the counties that voted on the issue in the May 2021 special elections was nearly twice as high as in other Oregon counties.
Moving Oregon counties into Idaho remains a long shot, for no matter how many Oregon counties say they want to be part of Idaho, the two state legislatures — and ultimately the U.S. Congress — would have to give their approval.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept – Keep your camping trips safe and memorable with these campfire tips
Many of us enjoy a campfire because it evokes memories of past camping trips with family and friends. We sit around the fire and talk, laugh and enjoy the company. The warmth of the moments rivals the heat from the campfire.
Consider ways to build a safe campfire as you start your summer camping preparations. Also, keep in mind that our drier than normal spring weather is a concern for Oregon and the West. Be sure to research conditions for the area near where you’re camping before you head out. Fire restrictions may be in place at the park, county or state level. The Oregon State Parks website will post the latest information about campfires in state parks.
“Regularly reviewing campfire safety practices, even if you’re a seasoned camper, is a good habit,” said Chris Havel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) associate director. “It’s especially important if you’re camping with children or folks that are learning about responsible outdoor recreation. If you have a question or a concern, talk with a park ranger or camp host.”
OPRD offers the following tips for a safe and enjoyable campfire, and to continue the tradition of great camping memories for everyone.
- Maintain campfire flames at knee height, or roughly two feet high. A smaller flame helps prevent ash and embers from rising into the trees or dry vegetation. If you see the wind stirring up embers, play it safe and put the fire out.
- Only build campfires in the existing fire ring in your campsite. Fire rings are placed in areas with buffer zones and away from vegetation.
- Always keep plenty of water nearby so you can use it to safely put out the campfire. Drown the flames with water and carefully stir the embers to make sure everything is wet. The stirring step is important: ash and wood debris often maintain heat and embers unless they are drowned out.
- Beach campfires should be on open sand and away from driftwood or vegetation. Slowly pour water on your beach fire to put it out. Don’t pour the water too quickly because hot sand can fly up and hit anyone nearby. Also, don’t use sand to put out a beach fire. Covering the fire with sand will insulate the coals, keeping them hot enough to burn someone hours or even days later.
- For propane fire rings, follow the same safety precautions you would with a log-based campfire. The use of propane fire rings may vary statewide, depending on local conditions.
- Make sure everyone in your campsite is familiar with campfire safety, including children. Always keep an eye on your campfire; many accidental fires are started because campers left their fire unattended for “just a minute.”
During May, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, the Office of Emergency Management, Keep Oregon Green, the U.S. Forest Service, OPRD and other federal, state and local emergency and response agencies are promoting programs and messages encouraging the public to work together in their local communities to prevent the risk of wildfire.
Information about recreation and wildfire safety is at keeporegongreen.org. Visit stateparks.oregon.gov for information about Oregon State Parks. — Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.