Latest news with #Yunker
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon representative counters bill against book bans by reading explicit excerpt
PORTLAND, Ore. () — In opposition to a bill that would limit book bans in Oregon schools, a state representative read an explicit excerpt of a novel found in a library for students. The passage of would immediately prohibit schools from banning certain material from libraries due to their subject matter or on the basis of the author's identities that are protected under Oregon's anti-discrimination laws — like race, gender identity and sexual orientation. It would also push for schools to enforce requirements for the removal of said books. Some Oregon DMV offices experience staffing shortages ahead of Real ID deadline The Senate Committee on Education voted to pass the bill on Monday morning. Just a few hours later at the House chamber, Oregon Rep. Dwayne Yunker countered the measure by reciting a sexual passage from 'The Haters' by Jesse Andrews — a book that a mother attempted to get pulled from the North Valley High School library. 'She guided me on my back and pulled on the bottom of my briefs,' Yunker read, in part, from page 265 of the novel. 'I pushed them over my knees and feet, and was really naked and not hard at all. She straddled me and pulled her top off. Her breasts flopped out, and I saw them.' Coos Bay man faces federal charges for making, distributing child pornography The Grants-Pass-based representative's presentation was interrupted when Rep. Kevin Mannix objected to it due to its 'lascivious and obscene' nature, before Rep. David Gomberg called the House at ease. Following a brief break, Gomberg reminded legislators of the rules against indecent or profane language on the House floor. Mannix then interrupted Yunker once again when he proceeded to read the explicit passage from the book. When Yunker began his presentation for a third time, he instead noted recent sexual abuse cases in Oregon schools — including the accused of child sex abuse and within the St. Helens School District. Man dies after late-night SE Portland shooting Continuing to offer sexually explicit materials in school libraries 'normalizes such behaviors,' according to the representative. 'There's increasingly focus on the authorship of books, rather than evaluating whether the content is appropriate for young readers, and alarmingly, [it] is now easier for children to access rated-R materials from school libraries than obtain the super content from a local movie theater,' Yunker said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon bill would let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in school board elections
Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections. House Bill 3012 went before the House Committee on Rules on Tuesday, sparking debate over whether teenagers are ready for the responsibility. Dozens spoke at the hearing to argue both for and against the measure. Even more submitted written testimony — 75 wrote in opposition and 63 wrote in support. If passed, 16- and 17-year-olds who are registered to vote would be able to cast a ballot in school board elections starting in 2027. Supporters argue that giving teens the right to vote would boost their interest in politics and increase voter participation in the long run. Opponents argued that teens at those ages are not fully developed and may be easily influenced by guardians, peers or other outside pressures when voting. Rebecca Gladstone, representing the League of Women Voters of Oregon, said the organization was neutral on a specific voting age but noted that 33,000 Oregon students voted in mock elections facilitated by the organization in 2024. Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, the bill's chief sponsor, called HB 3012 the "Student Voice in Democracy Act." "Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are thoughtful and deeply care about their communities. Many are active and eager to have their voices heard," Neron said. "Student voices matter and student experiences, needs and concerns should inform district policies and school board priorities." Rep. Willy Chotzen, D-Portland, a former public school teacher, testified in favor of the bill, stating that elected officials' decisions "disproportionately impact young people." He also said, from his observations in the classroom, these teens are more mature and wise than many might think. "When we empower young people, when we give them responsibility, that is when we bring out their best," Chotzen said. "If we want an active, engaged and responsible set of Oregonians of the future, we can do that by encouraging them to learn civics and to engage in democracy, not just in the classroom, but at the ballot box. This is a powerful educational tool." Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, said he opposes the bill, noting that there are "good reasons" 16- and 17-year-olds are still considered children. He said teens may not be as informed about political issues and candidates. "Voting is a serious responsibility, and younger teens lack the necessary understanding of the political landscape and its long-term consequences," Yunker said. "Studies suggest that decision making (and) critical thinking continue to develop through adolescence. People do not fully mature until their early 20s." Yunker also pointed to "other adult responsibilities" that teens are not legally allowed to do at the age of 16 and 17, such as drinking alcohol, getting married without parental consent or renting a car. The 26th Amendment, passed in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, following decades of calls to lower it. Supporters of HB 3012 cited responsibilities already granted to 16- and 17-year-olds, such as working jobs, paying income taxes, and driving. Seventeen-year-old Javier Quintana, who has represented Oregon at the National Board of Education and is a student representative on the Phoenix Talent School District board, spoke in favor of the bill. "I have seen firsthand the power of student advocacy and how much of a difference it makes when young people are given a platform to share their experiences and concerns," Quintana said. "It allows them to have the opportunity to be more informed and step up to being active members of their community, so this will lead to a generation of more informed people ready to make an impact on the world around them." Jasia Mosely, representing Next Up Action Fund, said several jurisdictions across the U.S. — most of which are in Maryland — already allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. She added that 19 states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will be turning 18 by the general election. "Students have firsthand experiences that deserve to be addressed, and we have the opportunity in front of us to make that a reality with House Bill 3012," Mosely said. Speakers who opposed HB3012 pointed to teens not being fully developed and potentially not ready to make "reasonable decisions in politics." According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the brain finishes developing and maturing in the mid-to-late 20s. Anna Munson, a Salem resident, was among those who spoke in opposition. "This (18) is the age in which a person is responsible for their own actions," Munson said. "Many kids do not, are not willing or even curious about the complexities of how the school that they attend functions." Munson pointed to the responsibilities of 18-year-olds, noting that those under 18 are not tried as adults in a court of law. However, some over age 15 can be tried as adults for certain crimes under Measure 11, which passed in 1994. "Do you really want a 16-year-old who's playing high school sports, living at home rent-free, dependent on their parents for their allowance and their living needs, to decide who is going to run a multimillion-dollar school board, which hires thousands of individuals?" Munson said. Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@ or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon bill proposes younger voting age for school board elections
