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Good morning, Portland! I’m writing this morning from the swanky Caffe Umbria, so you’ll have to excuse me if the tone of this Good Morning, News is that of a fancy bitch.
Here are the headlines.
Seeking Info: The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is seeking information about the death of a Black, transgender homeless person. PPB’s request came one day after the Mercury reported that although the death was ruled a suicide, her family had reason to suspect foul play.
Unity Union: Nurses at Legacy Health’s Unity Center for Behavioral Health will be allowed to vote on unionization, despite Legacy’s best efforts to the contrary. They’ll vote on June 19, and we’ll keep you updated.
Tip of the Cap: Oregon House Bill 2020, which would gradually reduce carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade program, has cleared through its final committee. The House—and, if all goes well, the Senate—will now have a chance to vote on it soon.
Under the Wire: Portland State University (PSU) was planning to raise tuition by 11 percent next school year, but announced yesterday that it is now is planning for just a 4.9 percent hike. All public university tuition hikes above 5 percent require state approval, but the new plan will only need approval from PSU’s Board of Trustees.
Pop Stars: Governor Kate Brown signed a new law yesterday that will require Oregon to give all of its electoral college votes to the winner of the national popular vote—even if that candidate didn’t win the most votes in Oregon. It’s part of a nationwide effort to effectively neuter the electoral college system, and 14 other states have done the same so far.
You Can’t Hyde Forever: Most Democratic presidential candidates have denounced the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion. So why do they continue to vote for spending packages that include the amendment? NPR explains.
Not Enough: The Trump Administration is pouring cash into helping states with severe opioid addiction epidemics. But those funds can’t be spent to help people addicted to other substances—like meth, which is just as serious a problem in many areas. It’s almost like Trump cares more about appearing to fix problems, rather than actually fixing them.
Mary Camden, Say It Ain’t So:
I spoke to a legislative staffer who met with Jessica Biel and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She said Biel claimed “her doctor recommended the regular vaccine schedule for her kid and she refused,” due to a belief that a friend’s child had an adverse reaction. https://t.co/uM2s2JcnQQ
— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) June 13, 2019
Sentence of the Day: “We met in the Club Lounge of the Ritz-Carlton, where she sipped Dr. Pepper from a wine glass and wore blue tie-dyed pants, a black sweater, and a tangle of necklaces.”
