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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2019)
A8 OFF PAGE ONE East Oregonian Thursday, June 13, 2019 Climate: Air horns can’t stall action on climate bill Continued from Page A1 the hearing room and over- fl ow room, dressed in their well-worn pants, boots and suspenders. They appar- ently didn’t feel heard in the brief, 20-minute hearing, so they took to their trucks. For an hour and a half after the hearing they performed an auditory assault on law- makers, driving around the building blowing their loud airhorns to make sure law- makers they were literally heard. Under the cap-and-trade program, a 52 million met- ric-ton cap will be placed over 80% of the state’s emissions. It would regu- late nearly all sectors of the economy, excluding agricul- ture and forestry. Entities regulated by the cap, which are emitting at least 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gasses per year, will have to buy allowances from the state for each ton over the limit. If companies overesti- mate their need, they can sell those allowances on a marketplace linked to Cali- fornia and Quebec, Canada. If they don’t buy enough, they can likewise purchase some on the marketplace. The state will make fewer allowances available over time, a mechanism intended to force industry to undertake conversions that reduce emissions. The tar- gets are a 45% decline from 1990’s level by 2035 and an 80% decline by 2050. It’s a wildly progressive proposal. Oregon’s plan is in part based on California, but Oregon’s economy is much smaller. The hope is to show other states that such a plan can work in smaller and more rural states. However, Republi- cans have been staunchly against the idea, saying it will decimate the rural way of life, where people work in mills and factories that would be hurt by cap and trade. They drive longer distances, making the esti- mated 16 cent-per-gallon increase in gas costs more signifi cant. To that end, Republicans made a last-ditch effort to change the bill with amend- ments drafted by industry and one that would remove the emergency clause. Both those proposals failed on party-line votes, as they did the day before in the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee. Despite the Democratic unity in the bicameral com- mittee, all Democrats aren’t lining up in support. Rep. David Gomberg, D-Cen- tral Coast, said Oregon once had an environmental leg- acy due to things like bottle deposit and public beaches, but it’s lost that legacy over the years. The new policy is a chance to regain that repu- tation, but it will come at a cost, he said. “I am concerned about my farmers, I am concerned about my dairies, I am con- cerned about my fi shermen,” Gomberg said. “I am partic- ularly concerned about my good men and women that work in the large mills in my small towns.” With 38 of the House’s 60 members, Democrats can allow some of their own to dissent, whether it’s because of a rural constituency or otherwise. In the Senate, the numbers are less forgiving. Democrats need 16 of their 18 members to sup- port the bill, and Johnson is already a no. Last week, it came out that several others were uncommitted, includ- ing Sen. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay. Roblan gave a “cour- tesy” yes vote to get the bill out of committee Wednes- day, but said he is concerned about how the gasoline price increase will hurt rural Oregonians. “I reserve the right to be a no on the fl oor, because I really have some other issues and conversations that I need to have before I feel really comfortable,” he said. However, moving the bill out of committee is a strong sign that leaders of the cap- and-trade movement have secured the votes to get fi nal legislative approval. But another sign emerged of trouble ahead with a political threat to the already passed business tax designated to boost school funding. Robert Freres of Freres Lumber on Wednesday made a $1 million contri- bution to a political action committee leading the effort to send business tax to voters. Freres is part of Oregon Manufacturers and Com- merce, an industry trade association led by busi- ness lobbyist Shaun Jillions. Over the past couple weeks, Jillions has been active in trying to get Senate Demo- crats to reject the cap-and- trade plan. Jillions has said he would consider backing down from referring the business tax in exchange for a deal to kill or weaken cap and trade. Asked if the donation indicated there would be no such deal, he said, “That’s a fair assessment.” ——— Reporter Aubrey Wieber: aubrey@salemreporter. com or 503-575-1251. Wie- ber is a reporter for Salem Reporter who works for the Oregon Capital Bureau, a collaboration of EO Media Group, the Pamplin Media Group, and Salem Reporter. Judge: First CTUIR member to pass Oregon bar Continued from Page A1 government. Also under Johnson’s guidance, the Umatilla tribal court was one of the fi rst tribes to participate in a pilot program to prosecute non-Indians for domestic violence against Indians on the reservation. When the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized in 2013, it included new pro- visions addressing violence against Native women by restoring tribal jurisdiction over non-Native perpetra- tors of domestic violence that occurred on tribal land. In 2014, the CTUIR was one of only three tribes ini- tially allowed to participate in the program. Domestic violence is the only crime for which non-Indians cur- rently can be prosecuted, though the court does pre- side over civil cases involv- ing non-Indians. Johnson, whose Indian name is Gray Wolf, described his judicial style in the courtroom as “casual.” “I like to inject some humor to relieve stress, because it’s pretty stressful for a lot of people,” he said. “I like to think that I am fair, but not a pushover. I listen pretty well.” His courtroom is small and similar in appearance to non-tribal courtrooms. He sits at the bench back- dropped by three fl ags: CTUIR, Oregon and the United States. His docket is crowded as he presides over everything from criminal cases to juvenile cases, traf- fi c infractions or contract disputes. Tribal Judge Dave Gal- laher described Johnson’s courtroom demeanor. “He’s imposing, but very courteous and respectful,” Gallaher said. “He garners a lot of respect.” Johnson said he knows many of the people who come into his courtroom. Unlike non-Indian judges, he considers tribal culture in meting out punishment to defendants and litigants. Many of the codes are similar to federal laws, such as the vehicle code. “We can and do con- sider customs and traditions of the Tribe,” he said. “It’s important to us to honor and abide our elders’ traditions. That’s how we stay Indian.” CTUIR members have treaty hunting and fi shing rights, but if they break the tribal fi sh and wildlife code (for example hunting from a vehicle or using commer- cial fi shing gear in certain areas), they are sanctioned. If the crime is bad enough, the person can even lose the right to hunt or fi sh. “We are the only court that can suspend treaty hunting and fi shing rights as a punishment,” Johnson said. “I don’t like doing it, but I’ve done it a few times.” Johnson put aside thoughts of the courtroom to don his robe for the swear- ing-in ceremony. He walked the 100-or-so yards from his offi ce to the building’s drum-shaped central area. The ceremony was a sim- ple affair. Two tribal elders had died this week, and in keeping with tradition, the event stayed low-key without much pomp or the usual cake celebration afterwards. Johnson raised his right hand and swore the oath. “I, William D. Johnson, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitu- tion and laws of the Uma- tilla Indian Reservation, and the Constitution of the United States and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of chief judge of the Tribal Court of the Confederated Tribes, respecting and honoring the tribal customs and traditions of the people of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes.” Watching from the cir- cular sidelines with col- leagues, family and friends was Johnson’s son. Matthew Johnson, a CTUIR attor- ney in his own right, wore a serious expression as he listened to his father swear the oath and thank his men- tors, colleagues, family and community. Afterward, Matt grinned when asked about growing up with a judge for a dad. “It comes very naturally to him,” he said. “I was defi - nitely on the receiving end of many lectures growing up.” Looking back from the passage of years, he acknowledged his father’s skillfulness at rendering opinions. Council: Pendleton City Council sets rules for buying current fi re station Continued from Page A1 and offer more amenities that have an attractive design and inviting appeal.” Through the letter, the city also said it was open to a pub- lic-private partnership that includes “regulatory and per- mitting assistance,” “offsite infrastructure,” and “fi nan- cial resources.” The council’s selection will get the 31,272-square- foot property, which includes the fi re station, a small park- ing lot, and two houses the city rents out. Although the city could be compensated for the build- ing, it doesn’t know its exact worth: City Manager Robb Corbett said the building hasn’t received an offi cial appraisal. The city plans to lead a pre-submission tour of the fi re station property to inter- ested parties on July 11 and set an Aug. 7 deadline for all submissions. Community Development Director Tim Simons said the council could select a project from the entirety of the sub- missions or whittle it down to a handful of fi nalists. City Manager Robb Cor- bett said he’s already received interest in the property from a few nonprofi ts, which drew a question from Councilor Paul Chalmers about whether they were even going to consider them. Adding that he didn’t have “heartburn either way,” he said many of the discussions around the urban renewal district, which encompasses the property, have revolved around ways to grow prop- erty tax revenue. If a non- profi t acquired the property, it could obtain tax-exempt status. “Why would you wanna encourage (a nonprofi t) who is a 501©(3) to come together with this plan, (and) expend the energy and effort, if it’s not even going to be a consid- eration?” he said. Councilor Dale Primmer countered that he doesn’t want the proposals limited by the council’s imagination. Corbett said city staff would make some revisions to the request for proposal let- ter and then release it to the public. “I think the citizens will hold our feet to the fi re that we get the very best out of this that we possibly can,” Councilor Carole Innes said. “As they should.” “He is a very fair and tolerant person,” Matt said. “He does his best to take all the relevant factors into account.” The CTUIR Board of Trustees passed a resolution on April 29 to reappoint the chief judge. Johnson said his fourth term will likely be his last, though he won’t say for sure. “I love what I do,” he said. “It’s for my own tribe. I can’t imagine not doing it.” Contributed photo by Umatilla County Fire District Firefi ghters battle a fi re near railroad tracks northeast of Hermiston on Wednesday afternoon. Fire: Hermiston brush fi re kicks off 2019 fi re season Continued from Page A1 that develop,” according to the Weather Service, “will likely spread rapidly.” The Weather Service also advised against outdoor burning. During fi re season, people can do their part by follow- ing rules for controlled burns and campfi res, keeping their vehicles well-maintained, clearing fl ammable brush from around structures and not being careless with fi re hazards, such as cigarettes and fi reworks. Fire season is also smoke season. On Wednesday Sen- ators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden introduced a pack- age of four bills to help communities deal with the heavy wildfi re smoke that has clouded Oregon skies in recent summers. The Smoke-Ready Com- munities Act would make grants available for schools, public buildings and vul- nerable households to make upgrades to “smoke-proof” their buildings and better fi l- ter smoke from indoor air. Other provisions in the bill include requiring farms to provide respiratory protec- tion to farmworkers exposed to hazardous air conditions and authorize the Small Busi- ness Administration to pro- vide fi nancial relief to busi- nesses that lose revenue due to wildfi re smoke. “Last August in the Rogue Valley, I looked up at a sun that was neon pink through the thick haze of smoke from wildfi res,” Merkley said in a statement about the need for the bill. “Business own- ers and organizations told me how the smoke caused lost reservations, canceled shows, and even irreparable damage at a furniture store after the fabrics absorbed the smoke smell. Folks told me about respiratory problems even indoors because HVAC systems weren’t equipped to handle the level of pollution they were experiencing.” SAIF, Oregon’s not-for- profi t workers’ compensation insurance company, recom- mends that businesses have plans in place for evacuations during fi res, but also for pro- tecting employees or send- ing them home when smoke pushes air quality to hazard- ous levels. The Department of Envi- ronmental Quality now has an OregonAir app for mobile phones to easily check its air quality index, which can also be found online at http:// oraqi.deq.state.or.us. When air reaches unhealthy lev- els, homes and businesses should clean HVAC fi l- ters, set air conditioners to recirculate air in build- ings and vehicles, keep win- dows and doors closed, and keep people indoors as much as possible. 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