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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2018)
NORTHWEST East Oregonian Page 2A Saturday, November 17, 2018 Gov. Brown takes alcohol tax hike ‘off the table’ “I’ve been saying noth- ing’s off the table,” Brown said, “But that one’s off the table.” The health department said Friday its current efforts to prevent alcohol abuse don’t require additional money to continue. “Director Allen asked staff for budget ideas to encourage input and creative thinking,” Robb Cowie, a spokesman for the Oregon Health Authority, said in a written statement. “The beer and wine tax proposal was suggested as one of many ideas to address alcohol overconsumption as part of the Oregon Health Author- ity’s ongoing prevention efforts, which do not depend on additional revenue to continue.” The state hasn’t increased beer taxes since 1977 or By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — Tax hikes on beer, cider and wine are “off the table,” Gov. Kate Brown said Friday. The Oregon Health Authority wanted to increase taxes on beer, wine and cider by 10 percent, which offi- cials said could raise nearly half a billion dollars over two years. The agency also pro- posed significant tobacco tax increases as a strategy to deter tobacco’s use and improve public health. The Health Authority’s proposal became public two weeks before Brown was re-elected. Her office at the time declined to say whether she supported boosting alco- hol taxes. That changed Friday. EO file photo A crew cans IPA on the floor of Ordnance Brewing on March 30, 2017 in Boardman during the brewery’s first run of canned beer. taxes on wine since 1983. But the money such increases would generate isn’t worth the fight, Brown said. “The challenge for that particular arena is that we just don’t get enough bang for the buck,” Brown said, “That it is, really, it’s a tough fight in the Legislature and we’re not likely to be suc- cessful at the ballot.” Craft beer and fine wine are big business in Oregon. Over the past 10 years, the alcohol industry has added more jobs than the high-tech sector, state economists say. But Oregonians are also suffering more from alco- hol-related ailments. Alco- hol overuse is the state’s third most common cause of preventable death. Related deaths in Oregon have climbed about 38 percent since 2001. The governor said she would support higher taxes on tobacco. The Health Authori- ty’s proposal to do just that would raise an estimated $293 million over two years through a $2 per pack tax on cigarettes, a tax on “inhal- ant delivery systems” such as e-cigarettes, and removal of the 50-cent limit on taxes per cigar. Two years ago, Brown unsuccessfully proposed raising cigarette taxes by 85 cents per pack. The state tax remains at $1.33 per pack. Brown plans to release her recommended state bud- get for the next two years on Nov. 28. The governor wouldn’t say whether that would include higher tobacco taxes, but said she supports the concept and thinks it could help fund the Oregon Health Plan. “I believe strongly that increased tobacco … reve- nue needs to be part of the solution in developing a comprehensive, sustainable funding source for the Ore- gon Health Plan,” Brown said. The health plan is the state’s Medicaid program. It’s facing an $830 million shortfall in the next two-year budget. Sources: Richardson’s tumor is aggressive, fatal cancer The Republican from Central Point is first in line to succeed the governor. Richardson declined comment and didn’t respond to written questions sent to his office and personal email accounts. Debra Royal, Richard- son’s chief of staff, responded on his behalf to confirm that By AUBREY WIEBER Capital Bureau Secretary of State Dennis Richardson privately noti- fied top Oregon officials ear- lier this summer that he had been diagnosed with glio- blastoma, an aggressive and fatal form of cancer, accord- ing to two state executives. Richardson called officials, but said he didn’t disclose to them the type of cancer he had, an assertion specifi- cally disputed by state exec- utives. Royal said she was in the room during several of the calls in June. She subsequently clarified that Richardson had “signed off” on her responses. She Forecast for Pendleton Area TODAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Mostly sunny and chilly Mostly sunny and chilly Plenty of sun, but chilly Partly sunny and chilly Intervals of clouds and sun 42° 24° 42° 24° PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 47° 35° 44° 29° 43° 26° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 44° 23° 48° 32° 43° 28° 43° 26° 42° 23° OREGON FORECAST ALMANAC Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yest. HIGH LOW TEMP. Seattle Olympia 55/35 43/25 49/18 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 43/26 Lewiston 53/29 44/21 Astoria 57/36 Pullman Yakima 46/18 52/27 47/25 Portland Hermiston 55/35 The Dalles 44/23 Salem Corvallis 57/26 Yesterday Normals Records La Grande 42/21 PRECIPITATION John Day Eugene Bend 58/30 43/21 47/26 Ontario 51/20 Caldwell Burns 53° 32° 50° 33° 66° (1965) -7° (1955) 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date Albany 58/28 Trace 0.01" 0.60" 6.46" 8.42" 7.88" WINDS (in mph) 48/21 47/3 Trace 0.10" 0.70" 8.25" 14.52" 10.69" through 3 p.m. yest. HIGH LOW TEMP. Pendleton 42/19 58/29 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date HERMISTON Enterprise 42/24 50/26 49° 38° 49° 33° 70° (1896) -1° (1909) PRECIPITATION Moses Lake 53/26 Aberdeen 39/22 44/24 Tacoma Yesterday Normals Records Spokane Wenatchee 54/34 Today Medford 64/34 Sun. NE 4-8 NW 4-8 Boardman Pendleton NE 3-6 N 4-8 SUN AND MOON Klamath Falls 54/20 Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018 Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today tance of transpar- declined to answer ency, there was an when directly assumption by at asked whether least one elected Richardson has official that Rich- glioblastoma. ardson confided Royal said in that he would Richardson make a statement recently assessed explaining the how his illness diagnosis and his affects his ability chosen course of to do his job, and Richardson treatment, but that plans to stay on. “He is fully committed never happened. Public records obtained to the leadership role the people of Oregon hired him from Richardson’s office to do, and he is honored to show in 46 days in Septem- ber and October, Richard- serve,” she said. Five months ago, Rich- son sent 37 emails from his ardson publicly announced office account. That’s an that he had been diagnosed average of about one per with a brain tumor but has workday. continually declined to pro- Prior to disclosing his vide any details about his diagnosis, Richardson’s medical condition. schedule was robust, often Royal said Richardson having 10 or more items has not ruled out any treat- scheduled in a day, with the ment options, and he is occasional light day mixed happy with the treatment he in every week or two. In is currently receiving. She September and October, declined to elaborate. with an important election But over the course of nearing, Richardson’s sched- the summer, Richardson ule typically listed two to told select state officials that four appointments per day. talking with his family and Nearly all were meetings doctors, he decided to forego with his executive staff. Occasionally, Richard- the standard treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and son’s schedule shows non- radiation, according to two staff meetings, though it couldn’t be established how state executives. The two state executives many of those meetings took talked independently on the place. On Oct. 16, Richard- condition of anonymity to son’s schedule shows he was describe private conversa- scheduled to attend the state tions. The staffers agreed Land Board meeting, but the to disclose the information day before he announced he because of an evident decline wouldn’t attend those meet- in Richardson’s workload as ings — held three to six the general election loomed. times per year — while bat- One high-level staffer said tling cancer. “When the elected official that given Richardson’s pub- lic statements on the impor- would appear to have limita- 6:57 a.m. 4:22 p.m. 2:11 p.m. 12:35 a.m. Full Last New First Nov 22 Nov 29 Dec 6 Dec 15 NATIONAL EXTREMES Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 80° in Chino, Calif. Low -6° in Angel Fire, N.M. NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY tions based upon their health, it’s not clear at the end of the day to voters who’s calling the shots,” the high-level staffer said. The staffer said voters should have faith that the state election system is in the hands of someone exercising their authority as an elected official. “The expectation is the secretary of state is ulti- mately responsible for those decisions, but it’s not clear to what extent he’s involved in those discussions,” the offi- cial said. Royal said Richard- son’s leadership of the office hasn’t changed. “Secretary Richardson continues to lead and man- age the agency,” she said via email. “As he previously announced in his August 28 video update, he has cut back on travel and some public appearances. He is concentrating on the core functions of the office, and he continues to be the key decision-maker.” Gov. Kate Brown’s spokesman, Chris Pair, said the governor wouldn’t com- ment on whether Richardson disclosed his condition and treatment plan with her. Glioblastoma is a fero- cious form of cancer. “It is the most aggres- sive (brain cancer), and it is arguably the most aggres- sive cancer, period,” said Dr. Seunggu Jude Han, surgical co-director of neuro-oncol- ogy clinical research at the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University. MCKAY CREEK ESTATES Are you worried about falling? If you knew that there are several simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of falling, would you do it? You can make a difference. Stay independent longer by fall proofing your home and by getting your glasses and feet checked. Most importantly you can energize your body with exercise. By improving your strength, flexibility and balance you can significantly reduce your risk of a potentially serious fall. Call (541) 704-7146 today to schedule your FREE FALL REDUCTION EVALUATION. STEP INTO SAVINGS! Take posession of your apartment by August 31, 2018 and receive your 2nd and 4th month rent FREE. Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. -10s -0s 0s showers t-storms 10s rain 20s flurries 30s snow 40s ice 50s cold front — Founded Oct. 16, 1875 — 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 541-276-2211 333 E. Main St., Hermiston 541-567-6211 Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays www.eastoregonian.com To subscribe, call 1-800-522-0255 or go online to www.eastoregonian.com and click on ‘Subscribe’ East Oregonian (USPS 164-980) is published daily except Sunday, Monday and postal holidays, by the EO Media Group, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801. Periodicals postage paid at Pendleton, OR. Postmaster: send address changes to East Oregonian, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801. 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