Helen Jung
@helenjung.bsky.social
500 followers 380 following 37 posts
Opinion editor and editorial writer for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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helenjung.bsky.social
Thank you so much, Ariane!
helenjung.bsky.social
The truth of what's happening in Portland doesn't matter to the Trump administration. But it should to all those who recognize the danger of the federal government's willingness to unleash "full force" on cities with different politics. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Hello, world. An open letter from ‘war-ravaged’ Portland
Despite President Donald Trump's grim characterizations, the protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building don't remotely match what's happening, the editorial board writes. While ...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
As a federal judge's order confirms, Trump's bid to deploy the National Guard in Portland is neither warranted nor justified. Portlanders should continue to show the nation how wrong he is about what's happening here. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Keep proving Trump wrong
Trump’s plan to use the military to suppress one block of protests is yet another page from his playbook of bulldozing rights and norms while claiming he's justified, the editorial board writes. With ...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Portland City Council needs to stop grandstanding over minutiae and focus on tackling the crises facing Portland. With a shortfall projected after an already brutal budget, the need for leadership and pragmatic action is urgent. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Pull it together, Portland City Council
With the city already anticipating a $16 million shortfall and ongoing economic uncertainty, the City Council needs to do a better job of resolving routine matters and tackling the urgent issues facin...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Extremism thrives in the absence of humanity. Oregonians need to pull back from the toxic exchange of accusations and celebration that's sprouted in the days following Charlie Kirk's murder and uphold open, thoughtful public debate. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Choosing the path away from political violence
The murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is the latest horrific act of political violence caused by extremists who span the political spectrum, the editorial board writes. Elected leaders and ...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
That critical transportation funding package for Oregon? Still in limbo, as state senators are forced to delay a vote. These are the risks when elected officials leave themselves no room for error – and there's been plenty. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: A rollercoaster ride for Oregon’s transportation bill
Gov. Tina Kotek may have drawn too hard a line in negotiating her transportation funding package, the editorial board writes, leaving no room for error. Unfortunately for Democrats, there have been pl...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Are Trump's threats to dispatch National Guard troops to Portland serious or bluster? While state and local leaders should be prepared for the former, Portlanders should keep the momentum of restoring the city going forward. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Stay vigilant, but don’t take Trump’s bait
With President Donald Trump threatening to send National Guard troops to Portland, among many other cities, state and local leaders should prepare for that possibility, the editorial board writes. But...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
It's not surprising that the "accountability" portion of Gov. Kotek's transportation plan fails to provide actual accountability. If legislators are going to ram through billions in new taxes, they should make clearer commitments. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Billions in new taxes should come with a commitment
While Gov. Tina Kotek's transportation tax proposal includes proposals to increase oversight of the Oregon Department of Transportation, the plan fails to provide basic accountability, the editorial b...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Portland's mandatory rental registry shows the city gained only 269 rentals from 2021 to 2023, despite construction of 1000s of new apartments. Is the registry wrong? Is the city losing existing rentals? Lack of compliance? Don't ask the city. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Portland’s missing rental units
Portland's mandatory rental registry shows only meager growth in the number of rentals from 2021 to 2023, despite significant construction in those years, the editorial board writes. Unfortunately, ci...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Phil and Penny Knight's $2 billion donation to OHSU's cancer institute is both a vote of confidence in Oregon as well as a challenge to be unapologetically ambitious. Even facing bleak news, Oregon can make its own future. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: The Knights’ blockbuster bet on Oregon
Phil and Penny Knight’s donation to OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute signals both a vote of confidence and a call to Oregon to rise to the challenge, the editorial board writes.
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Conventional wisdom says the Portland Trail Blazers' next owner will keep the team in Portland, but Oregonians shouldn't count on that. Elected leaders must show there's no better partner for a team on the rise than a city staging a comeback. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Oregon must lob a dunk for the next Trail Blazers owner
While conventional wisdom suggests that whoever buys the Portland Trail Blazers won't be permitted to move them, the city and state shouldn't pin the franchise's future on that hope, the editorial boa...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Legislators and Gov. Tina Kotek must prepare for a targeted special session to pass a modest transportation package negotiated by Rs as well as Ds. Kotek should help set the tone for compromise by rescinding her expensive PLA executive order. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Get back in the car, legislators. We’re not there yet
Legislators and Gov. Tina Kotek must prepare for a targeted legislative special session to pass a more modest transportation funding package that wins substantial bipartisan support and considers need...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Dozens of small nonprofits that provide hunger relief, mentoring, after-school care and other programs for Portland's most underserved kids won't get funding as expected due to a reckless power play by 7 Portland city councilors. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Portland City Council’s most reckless decision yet
The Portland City Council's decision to reject grant recommendations by the Portland Children's Levy to organizations supporting the city's most underserved children stands out for its sheer recklessn...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
The aid-and-assist crisis is 20+yrs old, yet Oregon still lacks the problem-solving creativity needed to help those with mental illness charged with crimes. Simply limiting how long someone can receive treatment won't help defendants or public safety. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Oregon’s uninspiring response to a decades-old crisis
A federal judge ruled the Oregon State Hospital in contempt of court, but the state's response so far lacks the urgency and problem-solving creativity needed to resolve the aid-and-assist crisis, prot...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Despite schools, cities and counties laying out SB 916's many flaws, nearly every House Democrat voted for it. Even if lawmakers ignore how giving unemployment pay to strikers will hurt public services, Oregonians should know the consequences. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Blinders on, legislators press on with SB 916
Despite school districts, local governments and businesses laying out all the harm that Senate Bill 916 poses, every House Democrat but one voted to pass it, the editorial board writes. Oregonians sho...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Portland's revitalization - necessary to generate money for parks, housing and other needs - depends on re-establishing the stability that encourages people to bet on Portland. The city shld add $1.9m to police budget to keep momentum going. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: A $1.9 million budget shift that Portland can’t afford
The Portland City Council should restore a $1.9 million shift of funds from police in the coming budget year, the editorial board writes. Portland's revitalization depends on ensuring the safety and s...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
Legislators talk about the need for accountability in how K-12 schools spend their dollars. That accountability should apply to them as well. Lawmakers should reject SB 916 and not force districts to spend scarce funds on non-educational needs. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: School funding should pay for students’ needs, not striking employees
Legislators who claim to support schools should back that up by voting "no" on Senate Bill 916, which would allow striking workers to collect unemployment pay, the editorial board writes. The legislat...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
There are many reasons to question Portland Public Schools and its board of directors about the $1.83 billion bond on the May ballot. The public should keep them on the hot seat to give more specifics and vote "yes" once they comply. Editorial endorsement: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial endorsement: Under duress, a ‘yes’ for PPS school bond
Despite concerns about a $1.83 billion bond on the May ballot, the need to continue rebuilding and repairing Portland Public Schools' aging schools is undeniable, the editorial board writes. Provided ...
www.oregonlive.com
helenjung.bsky.social
The May ballot includes four seats on the Portland Public Schools board. Christy Splitt, Herman Greene, Virginia La Forte and Stephanie Engelsman are the best choices for their independence, student-centered agendas and accountability focus. Editorial endorsement: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial endorsement: Elect Splitt, Greene, La Forte and Engelsman to Portland Public Schools board
Christy Splitt, Herman Greene, Virginia La Forte and Stephanie Engelsman emerge as the strongest candidates with the experience, independence and vision to lead the board of Portland Public Schools, t...
www.oregonlive.com