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Business Journals
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
TMT Development CEO: The tragic side of Portland's abandoned RVs
It's easy for taxpayers to be cynical about government overspending and underperforming. That cynicism is nothing new. In 1940, an obscure Missouri senator named Harry Truman gained fame with a 10,000-mile drive around the country to uncover waste and fight wartime profiteering. By 1944, the Truman Committee that evolved from his auto odyssey was credited with saving the U.S. government $10 billion-$15 billion (roughly $230 billion in current value). The fame Truman gained through that effort was pivotal to his ultimate selection as the vice president for Franklin Roosevelt, whom he ultimately succeeded as the president that presided over the end of World War II. The Truman Committee created a model for impartiality and fairness as it critiqued and culled countless line items on countless ledgers, doggedly seeking to differentiate good allocations from the bad and the ugly. But as every elected official knows, objectivity is inherently challenging in government budgeting. Programs considered invaluable by some can be dismissed as wasteful or unnecessary by others. How does all this relate to the present day? Just as it was for the Truman Committee in the 1940s, debating government spending is as frustrating and controversial as ever. It's especially vexing with the added complication of the $93 million shortfall Portland elected officials must accommodate before the vote to finalize the city's budget later in June. The fine art in budgeting is the sensitivity to understand not just what to cut, but what not to cut. Some proposed expenditures can appear expendable at first glance, but carry deceivingly important implications for the community. An example is what The Oregonian reports as a $1 million line item on the City of Portland's proposed budget; 'General Transportation Revenues for increased towing and demolition of derelict RVs.' Lurking within that unassuming line item is a tragic reality with far greater implications than merely removing eyesore vehicles from the roadside. Law enforcement officials are all too familiar with the dirty little secret that derelict RVs can be a culprit in the dark world of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a gargantuan industry, with more than 20 million victims worldwide. In may surprise some to know that Oregon is among the top 20 states for sex trafficking. We're 10th in the U.S. for human trafficking victims per capita, with about 25% of cases involving minors aged 9 to 17.* Sadly, these numbers could be misleading because the numbers of trafficking victims are notoriously underreported. Human trafficking takes many forms other than sexual exploitation. Victims could be subjected to forced labor in agriculture, domestic work, factories, bars, hotels, and forced marriage. Some of the many souls panhandling with cardboard signs at intersections may seem innocuous, but some of these folks may be involuntary beggars being managed and exploited by pimps just as sex workers are. Some human trafficking victims could be housed against their will in the numerous derelict RVs scattered around the city. When you pass these rigs, often with flat tires and plastic tarps bungeed over the roof, you may think it's better for someone down on their luck to be sheltered in an RV than a tent. But what drivers whizzing past don't realize is that some of these RVs could be serving as roadside prisons housing sex workers involved in prostitution and pornography. Some could be used to manufacture drugs. City sweeps targeting derelict RVs for towing do more than remove them, they give authorities the means to discover and shut down the clandestine roadside brothels, porn film studios and drug mills hiding within — and most importantly liberate the unwilling victims held captive in them. Granted, city funding to tow derelict RVs is just one wrench in the box of tools used to fight human trafficking. But every tool that can be used should be welcomed and supported in a battle that is too often a whack-a-mole exercise for Portland's Human Trafficking Unit, which works tirelessly to give sex workers an off ramp from their perilous plights. Thankfully there are numerous agencies in the Portland area doing what they can to locate and liberate victims trapped by human trafficking. But there are still too many of them out there that are hidden in plain sight along our roadsides. The $1 million proposed for towing of derelict RVs would be money well spent. Harry Truman earned deserved praise for saving billions of dollars on his celebrated 10,000-mile drive around the country to fight government waste. Today's fight against human trafficking in Portland gives us the opportunity to save something more important than money — the lives of the humans held in human trafficking's evil grip. *According to TMT Development Vanessa Sturgeon is the president and CEO of TMT Development. For over two decades, Vanessa has led a team with a whole-hearted investment in preserving and innovating Pacific Northwest real estate for those who call it home. Her extensive board service, leadership mentoring and community involvement demonstrate her steadfast belief in Portland and its residents.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon's voter-approved pot labor law is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon struck down a voter-approved measure regarding cannabis labor agreements Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Measure 119, which was passed by Oregon voters last year, required cannabis businesses to have a labor peace agreement with a labor organization in order to obtain or renew a license. The agreements would have required employers to remain neutral when a labor organization communicated with employees about collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon barred enforcement of the measure, finding that it violated the free speech of cannabis business owners and was preempted by federal labor law, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The National Labor Relations Act allows employers to express 'any views, argument or opinion' that are not threatening or coercive without facing an unfair labor practice claim. The lawsuit was filed by Ascend, a cannabis retailer in Portland, and Bubble's Hash, a processor that makes edibles and concentrates also based in Portland. State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that the measure didn't curb speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they're neutral, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Simon disagreed and entered a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the measure. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization,' he wrote. During a hearing last month, Simon said he recognized the 'historical and valuable role' of unions and that those who work in the cannabis industry can face greater dangers than typical workers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. But he said he struggled with the ambiguity of the measure's text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do. Oregon's Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon's ruling.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Oregon's voter-approved pot labor law is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon struck down a voter-approved measure regarding cannabis labor agreements Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Measure 119, which was passed by Oregon voters last year, required cannabis businesses to have a labor peace agreement with a labor organization in order to obtain or renew a license. The agreements would have required employers to remain neutral when a labor organization communicated with employees about collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon barred enforcement of the measure, finding that it violated the free speech of cannabis business owners and was preempted by federal labor law, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The National Labor Relations Act allows employers to express 'any views, argument or opinion' that are not threatening or coercive without facing an unfair labor practice claim. The lawsuit was filed by Ascend, a cannabis retailer in Portland, and Bubble's Hash, a processor that makes edibles and concentrates also based in Portland. State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that the measure didn't curb speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they're neutral, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Simon disagreed and entered a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the measure. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization,' he wrote. During a hearing last month, Simon said he recognized the 'historical and valuable role' of unions and that those who work in the cannabis industry can face greater dangers than typical workers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. But he said he struggled with the ambiguity of the measure's text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do. Oregon's Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon's ruling.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon's voter-approved pot labor law is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon struck down a voter-approved measure regarding cannabis labor agreements Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Measure 119, which was passed by Oregon voters last year, required cannabis businesses to have a labor peace agreement with a labor organization in order to obtain or renew a license. The agreements would have required employers to remain neutral when a labor organization communicated with employees about collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon barred enforcement of the measure, finding that it violated the free speech of cannabis business owners and was preempted by federal labor law, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The National Labor Relations Act allows employers to express 'any views, argument or opinion' that are not threatening or coercive without facing an unfair labor practice claim. The lawsuit was filed by Ascend, a cannabis retailer in Portland, and Bubble's Hash, a processor that makes edibles and concentrates also based in Portland. State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that the measure didn't curb speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they're neutral, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Simon disagreed and entered a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the measure. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization,' he wrote. During a hearing last month, Simon said he recognized the 'historical and valuable role' of unions and that those who work in the cannabis industry can face greater dangers than typical workers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. But he said he struggled with the ambiguity of the measure's text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do. Oregon's Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon's ruling. The Associated Press
Hamilton Spectator
17-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Oregon's landmark bottle redemption law may change due to concerns over drugs and homelessness
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Monica Truax has lived in her Portland home since 1992, on a cul-de-sac she described as a close-knit community. But since a bottle redemption center opened next door several years ago, her block has struggled with drug dealing, garbage and fights in the middle of the night, she said. 'It's just all completely changed,' she said. 'But the people are all still here, you know, all the residents are here still, and still raising their families.' After more than five decades, Oregon's first-in-the-nation 'bottle bill' — now replicated in nine other states — faces a potential overhaul, with lawmakers considering new time restrictions on bottle redemption sites that some say have become magnets for drugs and homelessness. The trailblazing law to reduce littering by incentivizing recycling helped cement the state's reputation as a leader in the emerging environmental movement . It has also become a financial security net for many, including those experiencing homelessness. The legislation echoes calls to modernize the bottle bill, with some saying changes are needed to address unintended consequences. 'He did not envision this,' Truax said of former Oregon Gov. Tom McCall, who signed the bottle bill into law. 'It's just a mess.' How does the bottle bill work? Consumers originally paid a 5-cent deposit on each eligible bottle or can, then collected the deposit when they redeemed the empty container at a retailer, such as a supermarket or convenience store. Over the years, the program has expanded accepted containers and increased the deposit to 10 cents . Twenty-seven centers exclusively for returns have been opened across the state. California , Connecticut , Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Vermont and the U.S. territory of Guam followed Oregon in adopting the concept, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In Oregon, people can sign up for accounts in which their refunds are deposited or choose cash redemptions. Some stores count containers by hand. Other sites have counting machines or areas where account holders can drop off bags of containers. The deposit has not kept pace with inflation — 5 cents in 1971 would be equal to 40 cents today, according to the Consumer Price Index's inflation calculator — but many low-income residents rely on it. Why are critics upset? Stores must accept container returns when they are open, and owners of all-night convenience stores, particularly in Portland, say they're concerned about employee safety. In an op-ed for The Oregonian/OregonLive last year, Jonathan Polonsky, president and CEO of the Plaid Pantry chain of convenience stores, wrote that fentanyl was selling for less than $1 a pill and 'a small number of cans add up to enough to buy drugs.' People redeeming containers at night 'may be belligerent and intimidating, presenting a major safety risk to our store associates who have no choice under Oregon's Bottle Bill to handle returns at that hour,' he wrote. Truax, who lives with her husband in northeast Portland, said homeless encampments and people relieving themselves in public were among the many things she had witnessed on her block. 'I've seen it all,' she said, describing the scourge of fentanyl as 'the cherry on the sundae.' 'It's just sad,' she added. Environmentally friendly income source At the bottle redemption center near Truax's home, Chris Grass waited with his father and girlfriend in the long line outside the door. They each redeemed the maximum amount of 350 containers per person per day for $105 in cash to help pay for gas and provide some extra money for things like cigarettes and coffee while he's unemployed, he said. 'A lot of people don't like people that go out and can,' he said. 'But it's actually good for the environment.' In 2023, roughly 87% of eligible containers were returned for redemption, according to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. That was the highest rate in the nation that year, according to the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, which operates the bottle bill program on behalf of its distributor members. What would the legislation do? The bill being considered by lawmakers would allow stores across the state to refuse container returns after 8 p.m. In Portland, it would allow for 'alternative' redemption sites, including possible mobile sites such as trucks that travel to different neighborhoods. Nonprofits would run the alternative sites for people who redeem containers every day, relieving the pressure on retailers, particularly downtown. Stores in an area with an alternative drop site could limit or refuse hand-counted returns, with convenience stores specifically allowed to stop them at 6 p.m. The proposal is supported by retailers as well as groups like the Ground Score Association, whose members include 'canners' and waste pickers who collect containers for income. The association operates a Portland redemption center under a bridge called The People's Depot that processes some 38,000 containers daily, according to its website. It has pushed back against claims that the bottle bill fuels the fentanyl crisis and says most people redeeming bottles need the money to make ends meet. 'Since becoming manager of The People's Depot, I'm learning how polarizing The Oregon Bottle Bill is,' the depot's operational manager Kristofer Brown said in written testimony supporting the bill. Do the proposed changes go far enough? Unlike in some other states, Oregon's bottle bill program is run by the private beverage industry rather than state government. The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative retains unredeemed deposits, which topped $30 million in 2019, according to a 2020 state audit of the bottle bill. The audit recommended several changes, including having some or all unredeemed deposits go to the state to help fund environmental programs. Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network, a progressive advocacy group, said in written testimony supporting the bill that 'money is piling up in the bottle deposit fund' and called for another government audit. The OBRC says unredeemed refunds go toward operating expenses for the beverage container redemption system. The Legislature has until late June to approve the bill, which received overwhelming approval in the Senate and is now in the House.
