AGP Executive Report

Workplace security spotlight: A new national look at private security guards—often paid about $18 an hour and expected to confront mass-shooting threats—points to their role in preventing a bigger tragedy at the San Diego Islamic Center. Lane County ballots: Two Lane County local option levies flipped to majority “yes” after more votes were counted, including OSU Extension and the Willamalane parks district, with thousands of ballots still outstanding. Oregon taxes mood: Oregon voters rejected a statewide gas-tax increase, but coverage says they’re still broadly willing to fund services locally—42 of 66 local tax measures appear to be passing. Mental health warning: Oregon’s suicide rate among farming, fishing, and forestry workers is reported at five times the state average. Public safety push in Eugene: Eugene plans more traffic-safety enforcement after five road deaths this year, targeting its most dangerous corridors. Sports: OU softball faces Mississippi State in the Norman Super Regional after a tough opener.

Oregon Gas Tax Rebuff: Oregon voters crushed a measure that would have raised fuel taxes and vehicle fees to protect highway funding, with about 80% voting no—an affordability message that’s already shaping the Kotek vs. Drazan rematch. Local Childcare Demand: Multnomah County’s tuition-free Preschool for All is seeing record demand, with about 6,000 applications for the next school year. Veterans & Health Review: In Portland, an Oregon veteran and his wife testified before a National Academies panel studying whether military service and toxic exposures are linked to rare muscle disease IBM. Immigration Pressure on Travel: DHS is weighing cuts to customs processing at “sanctuary” airports, raising the risk of major disruptions for international flights—potentially including Portland. Coast Science Moment: Oregon Coast visitors get an early look at OSU’s newly assembled 70-foot blue whale skeleton display at Hatfield Marine Science Center.

College Football Countdown: The 2026 season is officially 100 days out, with Week 0 set to kick off in Dublin (UNC vs. TCU) and early Heisman and storyline watch lists already rolling, including Oregon QB Dante Moore returning. Housing for Seniors: Gov. Tina Kotek announced four major housing actions aimed at older Oregonians—more affordable rentals, help with home repairs, and support for older adults facing homelessness. Energy & Data Centers: Oregon regulators approved a new rate class for large data centers and other big loads, pushing them to cover grid upgrade costs and face new contract and renewable requirements. Mount Hood Fight: Conservation groups sued over a Mount Hood land swap involving the Mount Hood Meadows ski resort and the U.S. Forest Service, arguing it bypassed public input and violated protections. Public Safety: Central Oregon agencies issued an e-bike safety reminder after a spike in crashes and injuries, stressing age rules, traffic laws, and warning that some “e-bikes” are actually electric motorcycles. National Politics (Privacy): A federal judge in Wisconsin dismissed a DOJ bid to force release of unredacted statewide voter data, citing voter privacy and federal overreach.

Trail Blazers Shake-Up: New owner Tom Dundon has laid off a “significant” number of business-side employees—reports say 70+—as the team restructures under a cost-cutting push, with president Dewayne Hankins calling it a painful step to “position the organization for long-term success.” Oregon Politics—Close Races: In Washington County, two Democratic primaries remain too tight to call: Senate District 15 and House District 27, with late ballots shifting leads. Student Loans Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel and others sued the U.S. Department of Education over a rule limiting federal loans for “professional degree” programs, arguing it will worsen healthcare workforce shortages. Local Governance: Salem’s mayoral race is headed to a new leader—Vanessa Nordyke—while multiple council seats look poised for change after high turnout. Public Safety: Eugene is rolling out “eyes open, phone down” bike-safety signage and more roundabouts after multiple cyclist deaths.

Portland Trail Blazers Restructure: New owner Tom Dundon has started cutting jobs, laying off “a significant” number of employees tied to business and basketball operations, with reports putting the figure at around 70; the team says it’s repositioning for the future while negotiating state and local support for a Moda Center renovation. Oregon Politics: Christine Drazan won the GOP governor primary and is set for a Kotek rematch after Tina Kotek cruised in the Democratic primary; meanwhile, Salem Mayor Julie Hoy conceded to Vanessa Nordyke, and Oregon’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.2% in April. Local Governance & Environment: Lane County voters rejected a watershed “bill of rights” measure that would have allowed individuals to sue polluters, and the U.S. Forest Service is scheduling public meetings on draft Blue Mountains forest plan revisions. Legal Fight Over Voting Data: The Ninth Circuit heard arguments on whether the Trump administration can access unredacted state voter rolls, with a similar case involving Oregon. Care & Workforce: Senate Democrats, led by Ron Wyden, vowed to build a long-term care reform plan focused on home care, caregivers, and nursing home quality.

Oregon Primary Shockwave: Measure 120 is headed for a decisive loss, with early returns showing voters rejecting the gas-tax and fee package by about 83% to 17%, a fast turnaround that undercuts Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation push. Governor Race: Republicans quickly coalesced around State Sen. Christine Drazan, projected to win the GOP nomination and set up a rematch with Kotek in November, while Democrats handily backed Kotek. National GOP Loyalty Test: In Kentucky, Trump-backed Ed Gallrein defeated Rep. Thomas Massie, signaling the president’s continued sway over GOP primaries. Local Oregon Watch: Early results also show incumbents holding most Oregon House and Senate races, plus a Bend OSU-Cascades plan to turn a former landfill into a new recreation center moving forward. Wildfire Readiness: Oregon’s Fire Marshal finalized a defensible-space model code aimed at helping communities prepare before fire season.

Election Day: Oregon voters are heading to the polls Tuesday in a packed primary that includes the governor’s race, U.S. Senate and House contests, plus a statewide gas tax measure—ballots are due by 8 p.m. Trump’s Influence Test: Across the country, primaries in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho and Pennsylvania are being framed as another stress test of how much GOP voters follow Trump’s endorsements, with Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie facing a Trump-backed challenge. Student Loans Fight: Wisconsin and other states sued the U.S. Department of Education over a rule they say unlawfully narrows “professional degree” eligibility and cuts off loan access for many healthcare programs. Trans Rights: LGBTQ plaintiffs scored preliminary wins in three gender-affirming care cases, including an order for Children’s Hospital Colorado to resume care for minors. Oregon Wildfire Prep: The Oregon State Fire Marshal finalized a defensible space model code, aiming to give communities consistent, practical wildfire protection steps. Local Watch: Oregon’s Global Trade Desk launches to help small businesses navigate international markets.

Election Countdown: Oregon’s Tuesday primaries are set to decide governor, U.S. Senate, House races, and Measure 120, a referendum on repealing last fall’s gas tax and fee hikes—while national politics and Trump’s influence loom over GOP contests. Budget Pressure: The University of Oregon is facing a $65M gap as out-of-state enrollment drops, prompting hiring freezes and deeper cuts. Housing Accountability: Home Forward’s new interim director, Michael Buonocore, is promising transparency after leadership turmoil and scrutiny over occupancy and spending. Health & Tech: Oregon researchers are pushing a faster, less invasive approach to pancreatic cancer screening using a blood test that hunts tumor-shed particles. Environment Watch: Emerald ash borers are emerging weeks early in Oregon, and Seattle-Tacoma is ranking worse for short-term wildfire smoke pollution. Business & Trade: Citibank Korea and Korea Eximbank are backing KoMiCo’s U.S. chip expansion, including facilities in Hillsboro.

Forest Service Shake-Up: The Trump administration is moving fast on sweeping changes to the U.S. Forest Service, including closing nearly all regional offices and cutting research funding—sparking a fight over whether public lands will be protected or left exposed. Primary Day Pressure: Tuesday is shaping up as the busiest primary day of the 2026 cycle, with voters testing Trump’s influence in GOP contests and Democrats watching for clues on what will drive turnout in November. Oregon Election Heat: Oregon politics stays front-and-center as Christine Drazan ramps up get-out-the-vote messaging ahead of May 19. Public Health & Courts: Oregon’s flavored tobacco ban survives a state Supreme Court ruling, while Colorado’s top court orders Children’s Hospital Colorado to resume gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Local Watch: Portland building permits show continued office activity, including a $1.23M tenant improvement in a downtown tower.

FDA Enforcement: The FDA issued warning letters to four food businesses in California and Oregon over Listeria contamination, HACCP failures, and sanitation/time-temperature problems with ready-to-eat foods. Oregon Sports: The Oregon Ducks pulled off a rare Big Ten “triple crown,” winning conference titles in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track in the same academic year. Local Business & Community: Florence’s 119th Rhododendron Festival ended with a big weekend boost, highlighted by a packed Grand Floral Parade and strong vendor sales. Health & Science: OHSU researchers report the cancer-driving MYC protein may help tumors repair DNA damage—potentially explaining why some cancers resist treatment. Politics & Procedure: A Senate parliamentarian blocked funding for Trump’s proposed White House ballroom from a reconciliation bill, forcing Republicans to find a harder path forward.

Forced Arbitration Fight: A coalition of public-interest groups is blasting Bank of America for adding forced arbitration to its online banking agreement, saying it strips customers of court and jury rights starting May 18. Federal Budget Clash: In Washington, the Senate parliamentarian blocked Trump’s proposed White House “ballroom” funding from a fast-track budget bill, forcing Republicans to find a harder path to pass it. Oregon Politics & Education: A write-in gubernatorial bid—“Pencil”—is pushing Oregonians to confront the state’s last-place 4th-grade reading scores. Local Governance: Hillsboro residents rallied against data centers, arguing tax breaks and rising power and water demands are squeezing communities. Science & Health: OHSU researchers report the cancer protein MYC helps tumors repair DNA, potentially contributing to treatment resistance. Environment: Oregon State and U.S. Forest Service work suggests spotted owl protection and forest thinning can align through fire “refugia.”

Wildfire & Federal Funding: A southern Washington land manager says a $9M wildfire grant is stalled because new federal rules now tangle burn plans with “America First” requirements, leaving controlled burns short just as heat and drought raise stakes. Local Protest: In Hillsboro, residents rallied against data centers, arguing tax breaks and rising electricity and water demands are squeezing communities. Health Breakthrough: OHSU researchers report a serotonin pathway that can worsen tinnitus, offering a clearer biological reason some antidepressant-related changes make ringing persist. Oregon Politics: A new Hoffman Research poll shows Republican Chris Dudley leading Gov. Tina Kotek 48% to 44% in the governor’s race. Science & Care Access: NIH-backed researchers launched an open-access tool to help clinicians manage pediatric amblyopia, aiming to close a specialist shortage gap.

Portland Sports Shock: A new report warns the Portland Trail Blazers could be on the move if owner Tom Dundon uses relocation as leverage—leaving Portland “very worried” and scrambling to protect its NBA future. Local Planning: The Salmonberry Trail Council will hold a virtual meeting May 21 to discuss governance changes and next steps for an 82-mile corridor along the Port of Tillamook Bay Railway. Public Health & Food Safety: Oregon’s neighbors are dealing with recalls and risks—Straus Creamery ice cream was pulled in 17 states over possible metal fragments, and Whatcom County reported norovirus-like illness tied to contaminated shellfish. Environment: DEQ is seeking public input on new methane-leak monitoring rules for Coffin Butte Landfill after repeated EPA findings and a major penalty. Health Policy Watch: Maryland AG Brown joined a coalition opposing an EPA proposal that would roll back ethylene oxide limits. Tech & Research Integrity: arXiv tightened rules on AI-generated papers, warning authors could face a one-year ban if they don’t check AI output.

Boeing-China Deal: President Trump says China will buy 200 Boeing jets—potentially scaling to 750—reopening a key market for the planemaker after nearly a decade. Oregon Politics: A Prosperity Council draft is drawing heat: one member pushed for harder tax cuts, while Gov. Tina Kotek’s panel heads toward final recommendations. UO Budget Crunch: University of Oregon President Karl Scholz says the school needs about $65M in cuts, freezing hiring and pay increases as enrollment shifts. Health Policy Fight: RFK Jr. is aiming to overhaul the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a move critics warn could disrupt what insurers must cover. Local Watch: Lane County floated a budget that shifts public safety funding while trimming positions. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream pints and quarts in 17 states, including Oregon, over possible metal fragments. Community Life: Medford’s new 19-court pickleball complex is set to open next month.

Portland Arena Funding Clash: A new poll commissioned by The Oregonian finds 55% of Portland voters oppose using $75 million in climate funds for Moda Center renovations, even though the plan wouldn’t require voter approval—setting up a fresh fight over how the city spends its clean-energy money. Wildfire Readiness: Oregon’s fire season has officially started in Jackson and Josephine counties, bringing new limits on debris burning, fireworks, and other ignition sources. Local Leadership Watch: Portland has also named finalists for city manager, with a community meet-and-greet scheduled Wednesday. Education Spotlight: Salem-Keizer educators took home Crystal Apple Awards, while Oregon’s reading crisis gets renewed attention through a teacher-led push for evidence-based instruction. Sports Offseason Buzz: The Trail Blazers’ offseason “trade machine” chatter is already heating up as Portland looks for its next leap.

Education Showdown: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon faced sharp House questioning as Democrats attacked her plan to dissolve the department and critics warned about civil-rights backlogs, while Republicans defended the push as making education cheaper and shifting power to states. Oregon Politics: Gov. Tina Kotek’s Prosperity Council is set to meet May 15 in Eugene, with a confidential draft floating major tax-system changes. Housing in Motion: Portland approved a land transfer for Habitat for Humanity’s True North project—50 new townhomes in North Portland with long-term affordability rules. Local Recovery: Oregon Housing and Community Services says it has committed nearly $1M in microgrants and loans to Jackson County small businesses still rebuilding after the 2020 Almeda Fire. Food & Culture: Portland vegan diner Vertical Diner will close June 14, citing unsustainable operating costs. Sports: Oregon State rebounded to beat Air Force 7-4, while Oregon’s baseball team lost a tense 11-inning game to USC.