Murmurs: The Oregonian Took $100,000 in Tax Credits From a Program Its Editorial Board Slammed

In other news: 911 dispatchers hang up on contract talks.

By WW Staff

Oregonian Among Companies Getting Energy Credits

For years, The Oregonian has criticized the Oregon Department of Energy for the Business Energy Tax Credit program, a near billion-dollar boondoggle that subsidized many questionable projects. After a June 27 hearing in which ODOE director Michael Kaplan defended the economic benefits of the program, Oregonian editorial writer Helen Jung challenged Kaplan in an email exchange (obtained by WW through a public records request) to provide examples of successful projects that wouldn't have been done without the BETC subsidy. "Thousands of projects throughout the state could be used as examples, including two at your newspaper," Kaplan responded in a June 30 email. "The Oregonian received just over $100,000 in Oregon Department of Energy tax credits for lighting projects." Jung's response: "Funny! I did not know that." Editorial page editor Eric Lukens tells WW that The O "probably should have" disclosed receiving the credits.

Contract Talks With 911 Dispatchers Break Down

The union representing city of Portland employees who answer 911 calls says contract negotiations have broken down over salary demands, and the union is declaring an impasse. Call takers and dispatchers with Portland's Bureau of Emergency Communications have long complained about understaffing and forced overtime at the bureau that responds to emergencies for the entire region. Increasing wait times for callers prompted City Commissioner Steve Novick, who oversees the bureau, to pay for 13 new positions this year. But that won't solve the problem, says Rob Wheaton, a representative of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 189. The bureau has serious trouble recruiting and retaining call takers and dispatchers, says Wheaton, so the new slots are likely to remain vacant unless the city improves pay and vacation time. "The only people who notice," he says, "are the people who are unfortunate enough to call 911 when we have a huge call volume."

WW Wins National Prizes

WW received eight national awards from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia last weekend, including a first-place multimedia prize to Lucas Chemotti for the video "Burnside Skatepark Turns 25." Nigel Jaquiss took second place for public service for his reporting on Oregon's foster care system.

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.