Oregon Legislature Archives - The I Spy Radio Show

16-04 Why Republicans Winning Oregon Elections Just Got More Likely

By Dr Mark | January 24, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

Show 16-04 Summary: This week, it’s Oregon’s all important 2026 elections — and why things will change. We start with Representative Ed Diehl (HD17) to talk about his decision to run for Oregon’s governor. Can he win? Find out why we certainly think he will not only win the primary, he will win the general. But can he really win in a state known for its lack of election integrity? Including having what Judicial Watch called “the dirtiest voter rolls in the nation.” We talk with Judicial Watch’s senior attorney, Eric Lee, about their lawsuit — and why last week’s SCOTUS ruling opens the door to fundamentally changing elections. Including right here in Oregon.

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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: January 24th & 25th, 2026 | Guests: Ed Diehl & Eric Lee

This Week – Republicans Winning Oregon’s Elections

When we last talked to Ed Diehl at the end of December, we scheduled this week to continue our discussion on fraud in Oregon (hold our beer, Minnesota) and legislative days in Salem. But the night before our interview on Wednesday, news broke he was going to run for Oregon governor.

How do we not talk about that? We have been urging Ed to run for governor for at least a couple of years. We talk about his race, what changed his mind, and his competition—both Republican and Democrat. Plus, we do get a chance to talk about fraud, including what he will do about it as governor.

Plus, we talk about that all-important No Gas tax petition drive that will not only help Ed Diehl win Oregon’s 2026 governor’s race, but help sink Democrats. Democrats might not lose their majorities in the house or senate—although they just might find themselves in the minority after November—hey will definitely lose their super majorities in both chambers.

Want to find out more about Ed Diehl, candidate for Oregon governor? Head to Ed’s website. Remember: deep pocket donors wait to see how many smaller donors are sending in money. They need to see that interest. It’s their way of judging a candidate’s chances before committing bigger money.

Then we welcome back Eric Lee, senior attorney on Judicial Watch’s election integrity team, to discuss their lawsuit against Oregon to force them to clean up their voter rolls. And there was a major admission on Oregon’s part about its dirty rolls just last week. Whoops.

But before we get there, we get Eric’s take on last week’s SCOTUS ruling in Bost v. Illinois Board of Elections. On the surface, it was about whether a candidate had standing. But dig a little (which the leftstream media did its best not to do) and it is much. much bigger. How much bigger? Enough that it could fundamentally change elections. And people might just trust them again.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Oregon Quietly Loosens Voter Registration Rules Days Before Christmas: State Rep (Seattle Red, Dec 29, 2025)
Political Prisoner Tina Peters Put in Solitary Confinement; Reportedly to be Charged With Felony Assault (The Gateway Pundit, Jan 19, 2026)
DOJ serves subpoenas to Walz, Frey and other Minnesota officials amid immigration crackdown (NBC News, Jan 20, 2026)
Oregon Election Officials to Begin Purging Rolls of Inactive Voters (Willamette Week, January 9, 2026)
SoS Press Release: Oregon to Resume Routine Cleanup of Outdated, Inactive Voter Registration Records with New Directives from Secretary of State Tobias Read (Oregon Secretary of State Press Release, January 8, 2026)

Show 16-02 Podcast: 2026 — The Year Democrats Destroy Themselves

By Dr Mark | January 12, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 16-02 Summary: In our first live show for 2026, we welcome back fan-favorite and long-time guest, Chuck Wiese. Chuck is a meteorologist, pilot, and fierce Global Warming debunker. And he’s a growing political activist. We take a brief look back at the biggest stories of 2025 but focus on what will be the biggest stories of 2026. And the biggest and best will be the Democrats destroying themselves in 2026. Repeatedly. Find out why “the pundits” and Far-Left strategists have it all wrong. Have plenty of popcorn on hand—2026 is going to be lit!

Keywords/categories: 2026 elections, 2026 year of popcorn, Chuck Wiese, fraud, global warming, Minnesota fraud, Oregon fraud, Somali fraud, conservative talk radio, democrats, democrats in 2026, 2026 mid-term elections,

2026: The Year of Popcorn | How Dems Will Destroy Themselves

By Dr Mark | January 10, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

Show 16-02 Summary: In our first live show for 2026, we welcome back fan-favorite and long-time guest, Chuck Wiese. Chuck is a meteorologist, pilot, and fierce Global Warming debunker. And he’s a growing political activist. We take a brief look back at the biggest stories of 2026 but focus on what will be the biggest stories of 2026. And the biggest and best will be the Democrats destroying themselves. Repeatedly. Find out why “the pundits” and .Far Left strategists have it all wrong. Have plenty of popcorn on hand.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations and anywhere via live streams. Check out when, where, and how to listen. Missed it? Podcast available Mondays.

Air Dates: January 10th & 11th, 2026 | Guest: Chuck Wiese

This Week – Look Back, Look Forward, and Look Out

There has been nothing boring about 2026’s opening days. From watching the Somali fraud that exploded in late 21025 just get bigger and bigger in 2026 to the awe-inspiring capture and arrest of Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro, Americans are witnessing historical events unfold.

In our first live show for 2026, we welcome back fan-favorite and long-time guest, Chuck Wiese. We love talking to Chuck because of his analytical, scientifically trained mind. But as someone who has recently taken a more active role in politics, his eyes have been opened. And it’s good to get that every-man perspective. Because “the pundits” are too often wrong because they rely solely on other “pundits.”

Going out of 2025, those media pundits were predicting no end of doom for Republicans in 2026’s midterms. But they are missing the key elements behind the stories, which explains why they are so likely to be wrong about what’s coming.

Tune in to find out what.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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15-51 Podcast: If the Fraud Happened There, It is Happening Here

By Dr Mark | December 22, 2025 | Comments 1 comment

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Show 15-51 Summary: USAID? The Social Security gateway fraud? All that fraud, waste, and abuse DOGE uncovered? That was bad. But more extensive fraud will be uncovered at the state levels. This week we bring back Rep. Ed Diehl to discuss this success of the No Gas Tax referendum movement. And what that success means for ODOT, an agency that oozes overspending and waste. And what it means for the Democrats who pushed this bill on Oregonians. ODOT is a prime example of a government agency abusing the taxpayer. We are seeing fraud, waste, and abuse exposed at every level of government. We drill down into the Somali fraud in Minnesota because there are patterns now emerging in other states where additional fraud is being uncovered. And those are very similar patterns to fraud that Ed is exposing at Oregon’s Health Authority.

15-49 Democrats Starting to Panic? No Gas Tax Blowing up Oregon Dems

By Dr Mark | December 5, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 15-49 Summary: We talk with Oregon State Rep., Ed Diehl, about the phenomenal No Gas Tax petition effort to get insight on why it’s been so successful, with nearly double their goal and well ahead of schedule. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what insiders said why it would never work, and the dirty tricks unions, Democrats, and Governor Kotek used to try to derail it — and could still use to derail it. Plus, some scandals in other blue states that almost certainly have happened here, and how they are doing it. Thanks to the fraud gateway Elon Musk uncovered.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: December 6th & 7th, 2025 | Guest: Representative Ed Diehl

No Gas Tax Signatures Explode Beyond Wildest Expectations

How can you tell when elected Democrats start to panic? When they blame someone else for the problems they created. How can you tell when elected Democrats aren’t starting to panic? When they blame someone else for the problems they created.

This week, we talk with Rep. Ed Diehl (HD-17) about the phenomenal signature gathering effort to get insight on why it’s been so successful. As of our interview, they already have more than double their goal and way ahead of schedule. It has been a true grassroots effort, with zero paid signature gatherers.

Haven’t signed yet? Visit NoTaxOR.com

We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what insiders were saying why it would fail—and the dirty tricks unions, democrats, and Governor Kotek used to try to derail it. And dirty tricks they could still use to derail it. So much for Democrats being for “democracy,” right?

And then there are the scandals in other blue states that almost certainly have happened here, ones we already know happened here, and how they are doing it. Plus, the Far Left’s political strategy on “affordability” and the “fraud gateway” that Elon Musk’s DOGE uncovered.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

The No Gas Tax petition website is NoTaxOR.com. Haven’t signed? There is still time to do so. Find signature-gathering locations near you.
The Lies democrats tell. Remember the “fake electors” scandal — and the lawsuits that followed? Including Fani Willis’s prosecution? Yeah. It was based on a lie. “Requiem for a scandal” (Washington Examiner, December 1, 2025)
The fraud gateway: “Elon Musk Details DOGE’s Most Shocking Discoveries — and Why AI Is Key to Solving the Debt Crisis” (Joe Rogan Experience Clips, YT Channel, Nov 1, 2025)
Kotek Strikes Back as Gas Tax Petition Hits 150,000 (KDOV, FB post, Dec 1, 2025)
Explosive signature gathering weekend (Oregon Catalyst, Nov 24, 2025)
3 big ODOT resignations this month (Stop the Gas Tax, Nov 24, 2025)
Over 150K signatures collected to put Oregon transportation bill up for vote, group says (KPTV Fox 12, Nov 25, 2025)

15-44 How to Win (and NOT to Win) Oregon

By Dr Mark | November 1, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 15-44 Summary: .When it comes to Republicans’ chances in Oregon for statewide races, they don’t need Democrats to defeat them. Because Republicans can, and all too often are, their own worst enemies. After Christine Drazan’s announcement this week that she is officially running once again for governor, there is already a slew of social media posts by Republicans saying they will never vote for her. Which is a great way not to win. So how do Republicans win? We talk with a long-time Republican consultant and a a recent “outsider” Oregon political activist to get their thoughts.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: November 1st & 2nd, 2025 | Guests: Greg Leo & Chuck Wiese

This Week – Can Oregon Republicans Not Kill Their Chances?

Republicans can save Oregon but they have to save each other first. And that means stop savaging each other in the primaries.

Primaries are different than general elections. In general elections, you are voting for who wins. In primaries, you are voting for who competes. You are selecting your team while the other parties select their team.

But all too often, Republicans—more so than the sheep-like Democrats who will vote for anyone (or anything) with a “D” in front of their name—savage and tear down the other Republican candidates in favor of their choice. They announce they will never vote for “the other guy” that their Republican teammates chose. And proceed to savage the other candidates, tearing them down. And inadvertently planting seeds why no one should vote for them in the general.

Is it more important to win the election? Or that your candidate wins?

Don’t discourage. Encourage.

Republican “Insider” and “Outsider” Views

Christine Drazan officially entered the race for Oregon’s governor this week. (Which as no surprise. No serious person thought she wouldn’t.) Up until then, Danielle Bethell, a Marion County Commissioner, was the only legitimate candidate. But what immediately obvious was the hateful comments — not by Democrats. But by Republicans.

Danielle Bethell’s campaign website – daniellebethellforgovernor.com
Christine Drazan’s campaign website – christinefororegon.com

We talk first to Greg Leo, a long-time political communications expert who got his start in the Reagan White House. He also spent a lot of time working within and for in the Oregon Republican Party as their communications director. Now, he’s a political consultant. We get his take on Christine Drazan entering the race, how to stop Republicans from spoiling their fellow Republicans’ chances, and what Republicans can do to actual win. That means wooing Democrats and non-affiliated voters. Could an actual conservative Republican do that?

Then we talk with Chuck Wiese, a conservative Republican. But someone who is not involved in Republican party politics. But Chuck is becoming more and more of a political activists, having supported and been part of multiple lawsuits against Oregon, focusing especially on election integrity.

We know Chuck is no fan of Drazan, base don how she ran last time. To get his vote, what does she have to do different this time? How can she prove herself to him—one of her biggest doubters? And can Republicans put aside their differences and preferences to focus on winning the general election?

Because Oregon really and literally cannot afford another Democrat governor.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Greg will be speaking at the Capital City Republican Women’s luncheon on Nov. 13th. Meeting runs from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Lunch is optional but is $14.00 if you’d like to eat. To attend, please RSVP by sending an email to ccrwsalem@reagon.com.
Learn more about America’s 250th! Head to America250.org for events, state pages, and how you can get involved!
Danielle Bethell’s campaign website – daniellebethellforgovernor.com
Christine Drazan’s campaign website – christinefororegon.com

15-42 “Real Socialism” hasn’t been Tried…? How About “Real Slavery”?

By Dr Mark | October 18, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 15-42 Summary: There comes a time when you must do something before it’s too late. First, you have to recognize when and why. And then it’s time to take a stand. The UK is lurching—sprinting, really—toward the point of no return to shackle every citizen to the government to control every aspect of their lives. And, closer to home, Oregon is on the path to take even more money from its people. But we can stop it. Find out how.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: October 18th & 19th, 2025 | Guests: Rep. Ed Diehl & James Hirsen

This Week – Big Government Speeding toward Slavery

This week we’re talking about big government trying to get bigger. Right here at home in Oregon, it’s about taxing people more than ever after the passage of the ODOT tax and spend bill. Fortunately, there’s a way to stop it before it starts its engine.

We talk with Representative Ed Diehl and the effort to stop the ODOT tax from going into effect? How? By letting the people of Oregon decide, not elected democrats forcing it on people. And make no mistake. Democrats forced this bill by ignoring voters. They passed it despite over 95% opposition.

Now the Democrat governor is playing games by not signing the bill she called an “emergency.” And it’s, once again, to ignore the voice of the people to limit the time signature gatherers will have to get it on the ballot.

We talk with Ed about the rules and the strategies to get around the Democrats’ roadblocks.

Take a stand against big government—get involved! Big government only grows and gets abusive because people don’t say no. The ODOT tax is not just about a five cents tax increase and hundred more in new fees. It is the abusive way it was passed. It’s about forcing government to live inside its income. And it’s just the beginning—unless we stop it now.

Start here: visit NoTaxOregon.com to volunteer, donate(!), and help spread the word.

Real Socialism = Real Slavery

In the second-half of the show we talk with James Hirsen about digital IDs that are already in the process of being implemented over in the UK. Worse, they are paired with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). This gives the government the ability to quite literally track everything that you do. And it will be even more powerful by using A.I.

Read James Hirsen’s article: “The Mandating of Digital IDs and CBDCs”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared no one will be able to work or buy or sell or get government benefits unless they have a digital ID. For you Christians out there, yes, it sounds remarkably like the “mark of the beast” mentioned in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation.

Because the UK is pairing the digital ID with Central Bank Digital Currencies. No more cash. Which means the government can shut off your money anytime it wants to. Or prevent you from buying things. Or paying your mortgage or rent.

And in case you think that’s just conspiracy theory, remember: it already happened in Canada when the truckers had their bank accounts switched off when they protested the covid lock downs.

Once again. It’s happening now. Because people did not stand up to big government then.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

To stop the ODOT tax increase. Head to NoTaxOR.com to see what you can do. Volunteer signature gatherers, get training, spread the word. They need half a million dollars to save Oregonians $4.3 billion in new taxes. Please donate to help with expenses.
- Watch the No Tax Oregon Volunteer Kickoff Webinar to find out what they need and what you can do
All of James Hirsen’s articles can be found at JamesHirsen.com but the one we talked about this week was “The Mandating of Digital IDs and CBDCs”

More info:

Want to gather signatures? There are rules you need to follow. Download the Petition Circulator Manual
Want to know more about the referendum process? You can also download the Referendum Manual
Governor delay in signing transportation bill limits GOP time for referendum, experts say (Capital Chronicle, Oct 15, 2025)

15-40 What Now, Cash Cow? | Democrat Spending and Grift Hits a Pothole

By Dr Mark | October 5, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 15-40 Summary: This week we look at Democrat spending and grift. Some of Democrats’ taxpayer-funded spending spree is being cut off. Trump made it clear at his U.N. speech, the climate change hysteria money spigot from the U.S. is being turned off. So what will Democrats do now? And Oregon Democrats who are determined to spend at all costs, voters be damned, shoved through the ODOT spending spree. So what can voters do now?

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: October 4th & 5th, 2025 | Guests: Craig Rucker & Rep. Ed Diehl

This Week – Democrat Spending and Grift

Since our very first year on air, 2011, we have said if you want to stop the far-left, then take away the money they get from taxpayers.

Yes, it is that simple.

Thankfully, someone got the idea of that to President Trump. Because he is pulling the plug on green energy and Climate Change* funding. This is billions upon billions flowing from taxpayers to democrat-affiliated “environmental” organizations, studies at far-left universities to publish papers “proving” climate change and to find better ways to spread Global Warming* propaganda fear to keep the funding going. And that money comes back to democrats who vote for more Climate Change money. That does nothing for the environment. But does keep far-left activism funded.

* We capitalize Climate Change and Global Warming because they are a religion, not science

We welcome back Craig Rucker, the president of CFACT, to talk about Trump’s UN speech, and what the far-left and democrats will do now that taxpayer money is being cut off. And there is nothing a far-leftist hates more than to be forced to spend their own money. Or do something to earn it.

Plus, there’s a new danger from “green” energy that many people may not have heard yet: PFAS. These are the “forever chemicals” we’re discovering in so many of the things we buy. And it’s leeching into our food and water supplies.

PFAS may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals, including cancer, developmental issues, liver disease, low fertility, and hormone problems among others.

It turns out, not too surprisingly, that PFAS are in some solar panels and may be leeching into the ground when it rains. And where is the new craze to slap up solar panels? On farm land.

ODOT Spending Spree Becomes Law – Now What?

Despite overwhelming public outcry against the ODOT tax increase, Oregon Democrats spending continues unabated. And unnecessarily so. The Republicans’ plan would have not raised any taxes and instead forced ODOT to live within its means and reprioritize its existing spending.

But why do that when Democrats are hungry for money. Unions need money. And Democrats need unions. That’s why. And while they say they are all for “democracy,” even that’s a lie. Republicans put forward an amendment to simply ask the voters to decide whether to pass the ODOT tax. But Democrats rejected it.

We talk with Rep. Ed Diehl (R-17) about the Democrats’ unquenchable thirst for more money and the timeline of the ODOT bill roll out. There is already a referendum being put together but there are a lot of games Democrats can play to derail it. Tune in to find out what — and what you can do to help. (Hint: visit NoTaxOR.com to find out more.)

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Craig Rucker’s organization is CFACT
Visit NoTaxOR.com, to help stop the ODOT $4.5 billion spending spree bill from going into effect. We need to hit the ground running!
Regulators weigh billion-dollar utility takeovers as bills rise for consumers (Fox17, Sep 27, 2025)
- “Private equity giants like BlackRock and Blackstone are buying local utilities to power AI-driven data centers, sparking ratepayer and regulator concerns”
Ford CEO expects EV sales to be cut in half after end of tax credits (CNBC, Sep 30, 2025)
- “…the industry learned that ‘partial electrification,’ such as hybrids, are easier for customers to accept for the time being.”
Trump administration to expand coal leasing, fund coal plant upgrades (CNBC, Sep 29, 2025)
Trump’s fiery UN speech targets immigration, climate change and global conflicts (National Security News, Sept 25, 2025)

15-37 Oregon Mismanages Everything | It won’t even follow its own laws

By Dr Mark | September 13, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 15-37 Summary: In the difficult shadow of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, we welcome two guests to discuss Oregon’s mismanagement of everything. Does Oregon do anything right? We discuss two key areas Oregon constantly bungles: health care and school trust lands.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: September 13th & 14th, 2025 | Guests: Lisa Lettenmaier & Dave Sullivan

This Week – Oregon Mismanages Everything

This week was tough. Only an hour before our scheduled interview with our first guest, Dave Sullivan, we learned that Charlie Kirk had been shot. We called to reschedule as we absorbed the news, we prayed, only to learn Charlie had been pronounced dead.

It really put things into perspective. But we also know Charlie wants everyone to continue the fight and to stand up to the Left, and, in Oregon’s case, that’s the Left’s dominance of state government. Which is why everything Oregon does is mismanaged.

It’s stunning, really. You’d think just by sheer accident they could do something right. But from ODOT to schools to health care to its forests to its school trust lands, Oregon is the prime example of what not to do.

Insurance costs are going up. Need a better, less-expensive plan? Transitioning to Medicare? Those are Lisa’s specialties. Visit healthsourceNW.com

Oregon Mismanages Health Care

First up, we welcome back our go-to expert for health insurance, Lisa Lettenmaier. Because insurance cost in Oregon is going up. A lot. What has Oregon done to mess this up? And why is it going up? We know what the Left-stream media blames. Just like everything else, they are blaming Trump and his policies.

Except, that’s not the reality. Tune in to hear what’s actually causing the increases.

Oregon Mismanages its School Trust Lands

We also welcome back Dr. Dave Sullivan. The last time we talked, he had filed a lawsuit against the State of Oregon for refusing to obey its own laws to manage the School Trust lands. That was 2022. No surprise, Oregon is still mismanaging them. Except it’s gotten worse.

The good news is — there is great news.

Lawsuits to force Oregon to obey the law are expensive. If you can, please donate to help them continue the fight. Head to OASTL.org (Oregon Advocates for State Trust Lands) to explore more or jump to their donate page.

Dr. Sullivan’s case just won their first hurdle: standing. And to do so, the Coos County judge relied on a somewhat unconventional approach. Because of the historical facts, he ruled the case fell under common law, not statute. While it seemed a novel approach to us, applying common law, it turns out, is more common than we thought. Listen and find out why.

And when you do, you’ll also hear just how badly Oregon gets its school trust lands “management” wrong. Turns out, they’re fighting more than 200 years of history.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Lisa Lettenmaier is an expert at finding you the best, most cost-effective health insurance or Medicare plan. Let her help you take the hassle out of it. Call or email her, just visit HealthSourceNW.com

Dr. Dave Sullivan’s website is Oregon Advocates for School Trust Lands (OASTL). Head to oastl.org to learn more. Please donate to help them fight Oregon’s mismanagement to make Oregon follow its own laws and manage the school trust lands. It’s in Oregon’s Constitution for pity’s sake!

15-34 Showdown: HB2025 Special Session, ODOT Tax Increase

By Dr Mark | August 23, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 15-34 Summary: Oregon Democrats are at it again. This week, it’s about prepping for the big special session coming up Friday, August 29th, to stop the Democrats from trying to ram through a massive tax increase disguised as ODOT funding in HB 2025. But is the ODOT tax increase really necessary? We talk with representative Alek Skarlatos about what’s happening and things he has seen as a freshman representative. Including some mismanagement at ODOT he personally knows about.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: August 23 & 24, 2025 | Guest: Alek Skarlatos

This Week – ODOT Tax Increase Special Session

Okay. Let’s start off with the most important thing about this week’s show: take action. Don’t be silent.

Submit your testimony to the legislative committing hearing HB 2025. And don’t forget to contact your legislators personally. Contact info for representatives is here and for senators is here.
Not sure who your legislators are? We’ve got you covered: use this map (search by address is in the top left).
And it wouldn’t hurt to let squishy Republican representatives Cyrus Javadi and Kevin Mannix know you want them to vote no.

Massive Oregon Tax Increase: ODOT Will Penalize Everyone

Some taxes you can avoid. Like sales taxes (and, yes, Oregon has sales taxes, just not on everything). But the ODOT tax increase will impact everyone. If you buy anything, it arrives on a truck. And often, it involves multiple trucks. At each stage, each of those trucks will be paying more. So you will be paying more. If you go to the store in a car, you get personally hit.

And it’s unnecessary. Oregon Republicans came up with a plan to make sure ODOT was fully funded — without raising taxes. Just force ODOT to prioritize its current spending. And stop ODOT”s wasteful spending.

Shouldn’t all wasteful spending in government come to a screeching halt?

ODOT Mismanagement

We welcome back Alek Skarlatos, a freshman representative from Oregon’s HD-4 in Oregon’s southwest. Alek is seeing the session through fresh eyes and it’s not always pretty. We talk about the upcoming special session. And we talk about reforming ODOT. There’s no question it wastes money. And there is even evidence of fraud. (See “fraud” in the show notes below.)

But perhaps the answer to Oregon’s Department of Transportation isn’t in Oregon. It’s across the ocean.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Don’t be silent. And don’t wait! Get your comments in before Friday’s special session!
- Submit your testimony to the legislative committing hearing HB 2025. And don’t forget to contact your legislators personally. Contact info for representatives is here and for senators is here.
- Not sure who your legislators are? We’ve got you covered: use this map (search by address is in the top left).
- It wouldn’t hurt to let squishy Republican representatives Cyrus Javadi and Kevin Mannix know you want them to vote no. Let the democrats get the blame.
As of our interview with Alek Thursday afternoon, the latest version of HB 2025 hadn’t even been released yet. But it is now. Read the latest draft of HB2025 (PDF).
Looks like fraud: ODOT retroactively changes bids to hide its overspending. “Unaccountable: ODOT covers up cost overruns” (City Observatory, May 22, 2025)
- “ODOT also has a practice of “re-baselining” a project—retroactively altering the initial cost estimate to conceal cost increases. …ODOT permits itself to change the baseline construction budget—”re-baselining”— after a project has started construction. This practice allows ODOT staff to retroactively change the base budget for the project, allowing it to claim that the cost of the project hasn’t increased, and hiding cost overruns.”
- How is that even legal? If a private business cooked their books like that, it’s hard to imagine how everyone involved not ending up in jail. Pretty sure an accountant would lose their license if they changed budgets after the fact to hide overruns.

More Reasons ODOT Needs a Full Audit

ODOT’s “Strategic Review”: Conflicted consultants whitewashing mismanagement (City Observatory, March 28, 2025)
ODOT’s Reign of Error: Chronic highway cost overruns (City Observatory, June 9, 2025)
In Extraordinary Hearing, ODOT Explains Billion-Dollar Budget Blunder (WWeek, Fen 26, 2025) *The transportation agency failed to perform a basic accounting function.
ODOT’s Most Persistent Critic Says the State Could Solve Its Road-Funding Crunch—by Scuttling Some Projects (WWeek, Aug 20, 2025)
Audit finds ODOT overestimated revenue by $1.1 billion for 2023-25 (Central Oregon Daily News, Feb 26, 2025)
Audits reveal ODOT projects from 2017 funding package are over budget and behind schedule (OPB, Feb 20, 2025)
Kotek’s hissy fit: ODOT layoffs announced: Potholes fixes, fire prevention, plowing, camp cleanups take a hit July 7, 2025 (Central Oregon Daily News, July 7, 2025)
ODOT doesn’t have an extra billion dollars after all, which may result in shelved projects (KGW, March 5, 2025)