Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Val Hoyle, Margi Hoffmann, Gas Tax
Friday, January 16, 2015
HOT:
House Democratic Leader Val Hoyle
When the legislature convened on Monday morning, rules prohibiting campaign contributions kicked in. The week leading up to the start was a banner one for legislators. House Democratic Leader Val Hoyle was the big winner, raising almost double that of Speaker of the House Tina Kotek. Her counterpart in the Senate, Diane Rosenbaum, raised just $30,000. Hoyle? The legislature’s newest rainmaker raked in in more than $80,000 in donations, including $15,000 from the Low Income Dental PAC. Wowza.
Amy Margolis
Amy Margolis is a criminal defense lawyer by trade but she’s stumbled into a new area with an even faster growing customer base: marijuana. After representing growers in the court room, the one-time lobbyist saw the need for them to have a voice in the political process and began the Oregon Cannabis Growers PAC (political action committee).
Since its formation this past spring, Amy has led the PAC to become one of the key players in making sure the state implements legal weed correctly. Arguably the most influential PAC in the marijuana movement in Oregon today, the group has hired a lobbyist and peppered elected officials with over $10,000 in campaign contributions in recent days. Looks like they have earned a seat at the table as the state implements last year’s measure to legalize ganja.
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales
Last week I noted that potential mayoral candidates might already be considering a run, despite the Mayor giving no signals he may be planning to walk. It was noted that my former employer Congressman Earl Blumenauer would be likely candidate should there be an easy target. One of Blumenauer’s main areas of interest is transportation and the current Mayor delegated transportation and it has since been fumbled so maybe he might be interested, but I think it’s far-fetched. Far-fetched but a fun idea. Oh, and meanwhile, sources say that Hizhonor is of course planning to run again.
Sam Adams
One political insider ripped me for not including former Mayor Sam Adams as a prospective future Mayoral candidate. Adams, decided against running for a second term and took a job with the Portland City Club, signaling he would not soon fade into the background. In a story first reported by GoLocalPDX this week he announced a big new job on the East Coast. Don’t worry, he’s not giving up his Portland residency, leaving political watchers to wonder if he will consider an encore performance someday.
Marcus Mariota
On Monday night this week in his final college game and the first ever College Football Playoff Championship (the king is dead; long live the king!) Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a rare loss. Yet he is red hot.
The type of attention that a world class program also comes with dollars that help the entire system of higher education. We should be lucky to have such a nice player be an ambassador for our fair state. He announced that he would be going pro not even two days later. Of course he should.
NOT:
Margi Hoffmann
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber enters his fourth term with the largest Democratic majority in the legislature that any previous session. One would assume that his priorities would be met with some enthusiasm. Nah.
This week, according to a Capitol insider, Margi Hoffman, the Governor’s Energy Policy Advisor “got brutalized at the Association of Oregon Counties” when she presented on the low carbon fuel standard. Getting excoriated by a group of elected officials is never fun. Ouchie. It’s going to be a long session for the staff on the front lines.
Gas Tax
Selected as a compromise to a Democrat/Republican tied Senate in 2003, Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney has gone on to be the longest serving presiding officer in the history of the Oregon legislature (by comparison, he has served alongside 7 House Speakers!). When all the votes were counted, he had 18 Democrats out of 30 in the Oregon State Senate. Should be easy for him to get some key Democratic priorities passed, right? Especially a gas tax since prices are at record lows? Not so much. Courtney told a group of legislators and staffers this week he didn’t have 18 votes. Yes folks, Betsy Johnson still matters.
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber
Just days after learning the FBI was investigating Cylvia Hayes, John Kitzhaber was sworn into his fourth term as Oregon’s Governor on Monday. On Tuesday, he announced he had been diagnosed with mild form of skin cancer. The same day it was revealed he fired the volunteer Transportation Commission Chair who didn’t go quietly. To cap the week off he hired private attorneys for himself and the First Lady. Unfortunately, those attorneys already reap windfall profits representing the state. Whew. About this point, I wonder if the Gov is looking for another job yet.
Portland Cabbies
This week Portland Cabbies finally responded to Uber’s foray into their long protected turf. They formed an alliance. It might be a day late and a dollar short, though. Their limited availability has been highlighted by the instant demand for Uber. Their first attempt to raise awareness? Making cabs even less available for a while. It might be time already be time for them to find a new public relations firm. Their first incursion in this war was a rather tone deaf.
Have any suggestion for who is hot or who is not? Email them to me at [email protected].
Jesse is an East Portland resident, political junkie, snowboard fanatic, and former pub owner.
Related Slideshow: Timeline of Sam Adams’ Political Career
Related Articles
- Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Ron Wyden, Ellen Rosenblum, City of Portland
- Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Steve Novick, Chief Reese, Cylvia Hayes
- Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Steve Novick, Reservoir Dogs, Working Class Oregonians
- Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Teressa Raiford, Nick Fish, GMOs
- Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: The Race for Mayor, Education, Ducks
- Who’s Hot and Who’s Not: Bike Ranking Down, Measure 91 Fundraising Up
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It