From Sen. Daniel Bonham: Closing of Oregon parks, Capitol theatrics and more

Before people who disagree make this about something it is not, I will share that I would feel this way about any display that is disrespectful to our state Capitol and what it represents. Our chambers are institutions of tradition, respect and historical preservation. They are not meant to be degrading displays of shock and awe political statements. 

People will make this opinion about being anti-trans, which it is not. It is about decency. Oregonians are struggling to pay rent and put food on their tables and our leaders decided to make a mockery of our floor, residents and state. It was tasteless, disrespectful to taxpayers and another example of our out-of-touch leadership. 

This “let them eat cake” moment is just another reminder of how our majority party continues to fail our residents every chance they get.

BLM closes public land in Oregon due to homeless encampments

Another summer, another park closure — not for construction or wildfire risk, but due to uncontrolled homelessness and public safety threats. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it will close a stretch of public land between Bend and Redmond through Labor Day, citing widespread garbage, human waste, and crime at encampments. 

Let’s be clear: this is not compassion — it’s collapse. Oregon’s homelessness crisis has gone unchecked for too long, and now our public lands are no longer safe or accessible. These encampments are not just environmental disasters — they’re crime hubs that displace families, hikers, and outdoor recreation.

Oregonians are losing access to the very land they pay for, while our state leaders continue to push the same failing housing-first policies that got us here. It’s time for accountability, treatment-first models, and public safety to take priority.

Homeownership slips further out of reach for Oregon’s middle class

The Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that middle-income families are unable to afford the majority of our homes statewide.

Rising interest rates, skyrocketing home prices, and outdated land use laws have created a system where teachers, first responders, and working-class Oregonians can no longer afford to live in the very communities they serve. It’s not a housing market anymore — it’s a policy failure.

Instead of clearing the way for new home construction, reducing permitting delays, and reforming land-use laws, Oregon lawmakers continue to push expensive subsidies and urban growth boundaries that strangle the supply.

Middle-class families are being priced out of the American dream while the political class pats itself on the back for “equity.” We need solutions that work — not more buzzwords.

Hydropower makes a comeback in the Northwest

After hitting historic lows, hydropower generation is expected to increase significantly across the Northwest in 2025, according to a new federal energy outlook.

This is welcome news for Oregon — a state that needs reliable, clean, and affordable power to support working families and a modern economy. While state leaders pour resources into unreliable energy experiments, it’s hydropower that continues to deliver steady, proven energy when it matters most.

We should be expanding hydropower innovation — not removing dams. If we’re serious about meeting energy needs and reducing emissions, it’s time to focus on what works.