Author: North Coast BBQ

www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/02/rising-inequality-is-turning-us-into-an-autocratic-state-billionaire-warns

To the many generous people who took home treasures and paid just a wee bit extra, and to those who dropped a little something in the donation jar even if you didn’t find treasure – many thanks!

We also owe thanks to Bob, who organized the hardest part for us (the very messy garage), and to Erika, Jan, Jenny, Rob and Wendy who answered the call for tables to borrow. You embody the spirit of a sharing community.

And last, we sit in gratitude to the BBQ for supporting the North Coast’s communication needs for so many years!!

We couldn’t do without (any of) you.
Karen & Bonnie

After Governor Kotek was absent on the gas tax debate for 6-months during the 2025 Legislative Session (she only got involved in the final few days), she then made up for her mistake by punishing lawmakers by calling a Special Emergency Legislative Session for Labor Day weekend — often the fourht most traveled holiday. Lawmakers, lawmaker staff, Capitol staff and citizens who cared about this issued had to cancel their plans to make room for Kotek.

Yet, Kotek did not even show up to her own hearing on her gas tax plan on Sunday.

Not only did she not show up, but the Democrat controlled House and Senate could not even muster the votes to begin the Legislature on time over the past few days. People showed up for hearings that were never held. As we previously explained this was unfair not only to us but also to the those who supported the gas tax:

This angered the unions for whom hundreds of government union jobs are at stake and for which they are the top supporters of the big tax increase, The Oregonian reports, ” Jason Lawrence, an employee and union leader at the Oregon Department of Transportation. “And I don’t think it’s too damn much to ask these people who run for office to represent us and call themselves public servants to just show up.”. The Statesman Journal reported further union anger, “People took the day off to come and testify and tell their story,” said SEIU executive director Melissa Unger. Unger said one worker from Ontario drove to Salem to testify.”

Last week, the Taxpayers Association calculated that of the 2,000+ submitted testimonies on the gas tax in the State Capitol, 93% were opposed to the new tax.

Was this helpful? Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).

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We had three types of attendees at the PROTEST this past Saturday. First, there were people who have been joining us for weeks or months, showing ongoing commitment. Second, new local residents came for the first time and shared their enthusiasm to return for future events. Third, we welcomed holiday visitors and second homeowners who discovered our PROTEST and decided to join us. Together, we make up the North County Resistance, and our numbers have steadily grown throughout the summer.

Your voice is important, and every participant makes a difference. If you’re interested in joining us or learning more about our cause, please reach out—we welcome everyone who shares our concerns about the direction our government is heading. While we may not always agree on every issue, we are united by our shared worries and our desire for positive change.

Organizing an event on Highway 101 is always a challenge, and we learn new things each time. Safety is a top priority, and for our next PROTEST in Manzanita, we will introduce new rules and guidelines to help keep everyone safe.

For those planning to attend our next event, we will be back in Nehalem this coming week: September 6th, noon to 2 PM, in the city parking lot at the bottom of the hill. Please use the city lot for parking, bring signs or banners to help share our message, and dress appropriately for the weather. If you would like to receive updates about future protests, changes due to weather, or other important details, simply reply to this email.

Some have asked what we’ll do if the weather turns bad. Our concerns about government actions don’t disappear just because it’s raining—so I plan to be there regardless of the forecast, unless there’s a flood in the parking lot!

Thank you to everyone who joins us in person and to those who send notes of support. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, let me know and I will do my best. There’s still one address I’m trying to delete, but I won’t give up.

Happy Labor Day.

Best,

Patty