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3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017 County unemployment at 3.6 percent in June The Daily Astorian Clatsop County recorded a 3.6 percent unemploy- ment rate in June, accord- ing to the Oregon E mploy- ment D epartment, the seventh-lowest rate of Ore- gon’s 36 counties. Unemployment in the county was slightly higher than last month, but 1.4 percent lower than a year ago, slightly lower than the statewide rate (3.7 percent) and nearly 1 percent lower than the national rate (4.4 percent). The county lost 110 non- farm jobs compared with one year prior, largely in the retail sector. “A preliminary look at some new data suggests that the retail trade employment estimate may be revised upward signifi cantly next month to show a gain over the year,” r egional e cono- mist Erik Knoder wrote in a release from the state about the county’s employment. “This could well result in an overall gain in jobs over Jobless rates for June * Area Clatsop June May 1-yr. 2017 2017 ago 3.6 3.5 5 Columbia 4.5 4.5 6.4 Tillamook 3.8 3.7 5.2 Oregon 3.7 3.6 5.1 U.S. 4.4 4.3 4.9 *Preliminary, seasonaly adjusted rates. Source: Oregon Employment Department Daily Astorian graphic the year in the county, and it is more in keeping with the growth evident in related industries.” Over the past year, the hospitality industry added 120 positions, along with 80 positions each added by education/health services and construction. Manu- facturing lost 130 jobs, and local government education cut 90. Mushen steps down from Port Commission Applications due by Aug. 9 By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau PORTLAND – The Ore- gon Nurses Association has accused Secretary of State Dennis Richardson of having a confl ict of interest in a pro- posed ballot measure to repeal a health care tax plan. The association has asked to Richardson, who oversees all statewide elections, to dis- close any and all political and fi nancial ties he has with state Rep. Julie Parrish, R-West Linn. Parrish is spearhead- ing the repeal initiative and is a political consultant paid by the Richardson campaign. The association also demanded that Richardson recuse himself from any business involving the proposed repeal. “It is unusual and possi- bly unprecedented for a sitting secretary of state and a state legislator who is also a polit- ical consultant and chief peti- tioner of a referendum, which the secretary will oversee, to have signifi cant fi nancial ties,” the association stated in Robert Mushen In other action , the Port Commission approved c on- tracting with accounting fi rm TKW for auditing services. Commissioners also approved an easement for Pacifi c Power to install util- ity poles along the Port’s property in Warrenton. a Monday letter to Richardson. Parrish claimed the associ- “This combination of personal, ation’s accusations of a con- political and fi nancial connec- fl ict of interest are politically tions poses a potential confl ict motivated. She noted that Rep. of interest that the Secretary of Rob Nosse, D-Portland, who State’s Offi ce must immedi- sits on the legislative commit- ately address.” tee that sponsored the health Richardson said the associ- care tax plan, is an employee ation’s “allegation of confl icts of nurses association . The of interest are specious and association “spent thousands unfounded.” of dollars to seat” Nosse and “I am committed political action com- to fairness to all and mittee board member favoritism to none in Rep. Sheri Malstrom, the conduct of Oregon D-Beaverton. elections,” Richard- “It’s unfortunate to son said in a statement see the Oregon Nurses Monday . He added that Association bring pol- his staff in the elec- itics to a new low,” Dennis tions divisions “are Parrish said in a state- Richardson fair and unbiased.” ment Monday. Richardson The Legisla- reported payments to Par- ture enacted the $550 mil- rish’s political consulting fi rm lion health care tax plan as a of nearly $330,000 during his way to offset a $1.4 billion campaign for s ecretary of s tate. shortfall in the state’s two- His campaign continues to year budget. Lawmakers from pay Parrish a $1,000 monthly both parties supported the tax retainer for political consulting scheme, saying it would allow services, the association noted. thousands of low-income res- Parrish’s fi rm also donated idents to remain in the state more than $20,000 to Richard- Medicaid program. son’s campaign. The plan hikes taxes on PORTLAND — A jail in north-central Oregon has been sued by four people who contend the facility is violat- ing its state law by holding immigrants who are awaiting status hearings or deportation. The four assert in a law- suit fi led Friday in north- ern Wasco County that they have paid and continue to pay property taxes used to build and operate the Northern Ore- gon Regional Correctional Facility in The Dalles. They alleged the jail is breaking a unique Oregon law prohibit- ing state and local authorities from helping federal author- ities enforce immigration laws. Oregon created America’s fi rst sanctuary state in 1987. In February, Gov. Kate Brown signed an executive order that said all state agencies must follow the 1987 statute. In addition to the jail, the suit names Wasco County. Its attorney, Kristen Campbell, said the county and the jail W A NTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber N orth w es t H a rdw oods • Lon gview , W A Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500 have complied with state law. The attorney who fi led the lawsuit, David Henretty of the Oregon Law Center, declined comment and said the four plaintiffs had no immediate comment about the case. The jail generally referred to as NORCOR opened as a regional jail for four rural counties. As with many other local jails, it has a contract with the U.S. Marshals Ser- vice to provide beds for fed- eral detainees. The focus of the law- suit is the immigrants over- fl owing to Wasco County from an U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement detention facility in Tacoma, Washington. Consult a P ROFESSIONAL you service Apple Q: Do Computers? LEO FINZI ‘I am very grateful to report that I am entirely recovered, thanks to a team of neurologists.’ Astorias Best.com F ast , F riendly and a FFordable M-F 10-6 Sat . 11-4 77 11th Street, Suite H Astoria, OR 503-325-2300 Robert Mushen former Port of Astoria commissioner who resigned because of health reasons out by applause. “Every- body who has taken care of me has required I resign my commission, and I do so with great sadness.” But Mushen said he was encouraged by the makeup of the Port Commission, which includes newcomer and President Frank Spence, fel- low newcomer Dirk Rohne and veterans Bill Hunsinger and James Campbell. “The voters of Clatsop County have returned to us a very excellent board of com- missioners,” he said. “They have chosen an excellent president.” After his announcement early in the meeting, Mushen left the room to standing applause. Campbell said Mushen has been an asset to the community and served the Port well. Spence said his calm, rational demeanor would be missed. Spence said any reg- istered voter in Clatsop County can apply with a let- ter of interest and resume to 1 Pier St, Suite 308, in Asto- ria. Applications are due by noon Aug. 9, with inter- views taking place later in the month. hospitals and levies a new tax on health insurance plans. Gov. Kate Brown signed the legislation into law this month . Parrish said the nurses association benefi ts from the legislation because there is an exemption from the insurance tax for unions that self-insure. Rachel Prusak, a Portland nurse practitioner and mem- ber of the association , said the association wants all of the correspondence and other documents showing a rela- tionship between Richardson and Parrish to be available for public viewing. She said the letter sent Monday was not a formal public records request, but such a request could be a secondary measure if Rich- ardson doesn’t publicize the records on his own accord. “We shouldn’t have to do a public records request for the secretary of state to be trans- parent,” Prusak said. The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. Taxpayers sue Oregon jail over immigrant holds By STEVEN DUBOIS Associated Press By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian Robert Mushen resigned from the Port of Asto- ria Commission Tuesday, opening a position on the fi ve-member governing body for interviews next month. Mushen, the president of the Port Commission through many tense and adversarial meetings, suffered a blood pressure spike during one meeting in April and had to be taken to Columbia Memo- rial Hospital. “I spent … two weeks in the hospital,” he said. “Two months afterward, I was in physical therapy learning how to walk again. “But I am very grateful to report that I am entirely recovered, thanks to a team of neurologists,” Mushen said before being drowned Secretary of state accused of confl ict in provider tax repeal We do hardware A: Yes. and software repairs on Mac notebook and desktop computers. We install operating system upgrades, backups, data recovery, virus removal and password and Apple ID recovery service. We replace hard drives, keyboards and screens as needed. We transfer your documents and programs from old Mac computers to your new one, purchased from us or elsewhere. I have been servicing Apple computers since the Apple IIe. Q: Should I use heat or cold? Coming Soon... 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