David Delk, Chair of the Oregon Progressive Party, was published by The Oregonian, calling for TV stations and universities sponsoring gubernatorial debates this fall to include all three major party candidates, Democrat Kate Brown , Republican Knute Buehler and Patrick Starnes, the candidate of the Independent Party of Oregonian

The letter:

Oregon is the only state with three major political parties -- Democrats, Republicans and Independents. In the primary election, each of these parties selected a candidate for governor. The public looks forward to hearing debates between these candidates.  

Despite our desire, one of the candidates is being left out. Independent Party candidate Patrick Starnes has not been invited to debate alongside Democrat Gov. Kate Brown and Republican Rep. Knute Buehler in two widely-viewed TV station debates and one public university debate. 

I cry foul. The system is rigged. And it has been for too long. The Independent Party candidate needs to be included. Who knows, maybe if he is heard, we might get more than the 30 percent turnout we had in the primary elections.  

Or perhaps the Democrats and Republicans do not want a candidate whose primary issue is getting big special interests out of our elections to have a platform. 

All gubernatorial debates should include at least all the major party candidates. 

David Delk, NE Portland

These are the major upcoming debates. Please any and all and insist that at least all the major party candidates be invited to participate.

Children First for Oregon will host a debate in Portland in either late September or early October.
KOBI-NBC TV will host an October 4th debate in Medford.
KGW-NBC TV will host a debate in Portland during the week of October 8th.
KATU-ABC and Portland State University will host a debate in Portland on October 15th

Ref: Newberg paper mill and use of eminent domain

The Oregon Progressive Party calls for use of the State’s eminent domain power to return the WestRock Newberg newsprint mill to operating for the benefit of the people of Oregon and the environment. Now that China is refusing to accept waste paper from the United States, we need to process our paper waste into pulp and paper products. The Newberg mill can do that.

A recent Op-ed in The Portland Tribune stated that Oregon’s congressional delegation and Governor Kate Brown should apply pressure to WestRock Co., current owner of the Newberg paper mill, to ensure that it returns the mill to production of paper goods. The question is not one of whether the mill’s production can find a market; it appears that there is international demand with interest expressed by companies in China and India.

In order to ensure the well-being of the former workers, the Newberg economy and the environment (Oregon is in need of a facility to recycle its waste paper, which China now refuses to accept), the State of Oregon should immediately investigate the use of the ultimate weapon – the use of the State’s eminent domain power - to acquire the property and reopen the mill immediately. While a trial would be required to establish the property’s value, we have a good estimate of the property’s value. WestRock Co. had already agreed to sell the property for $8.4 million, in this case on condition that the mill equipment be destroyed.

If the State of Oregon used its power of eminent domain, the mill equipment would not be destroyed.

A public purpose is needed for the State of use this power, but that purpose is easily established – job creation (or retention) and environmental protection by allowing Oregon’s waste paper recycling program to continue.

The Oregon Progressive Party opposes the special tax break proposed by Governor Kate Brown. She called a special session of the Oregon Legislature just to enact this tax break, which means that sole proprietors will pay a lower income tax rate than their workers. How is this consistent with the alleged principles of the Democratic Party?