Helen Jung
@helenjung.bsky.social
Opinion editor and editorial writer for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
A Portland Public Schools staffer chided a school board member for asking about operating costs for a non-school venture PPS is poised to approve. With a $50m hole for 2026, every bd member should be asking questions, not rubberstamping admin. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Rubberstamping isn’t oversight, PPS Board
Regardless of whether people agree with Portland Public Schools’ proposed purchase of the One North building, they should feel uneasy about the apathy and resistance that some board members and staff ...
www.oregonlive.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
A Portland Public Schools staffer chided a school board member for asking about operating costs for a non-school venture PPS is poised to approve. With a $50m hole for 2026, every bd member should be asking questions, not rubberstamping admin. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Plenty of legitimate questions surround Portland Public Schools' rushed plan to buy a building for the Center for Black Student Excellence. PPS board members must be able to show how this deal benefits students, not nonprofits. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: PPS owes Black students more than a rushed real estate deal
PPS is poised to complete a purchase of a building to house a Center for Black Student Excellence, but is unable to answer questions about how the center will help students succeed academically or how...
www.oregonlive.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Plenty of legitimate questions surround Portland Public Schools' rushed plan to buy a building for the Center for Black Student Excellence. PPS board members must be able to show how this deal benefits students, not nonprofits. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Approval of the parks levy buys the city time to fix parks' funding/spending problems. But a 75% tax hike on Portlanders struggling in an affordability crisis is not something to celebrate. City leaders are on the clock to make progress. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Don’t pop the corks on parks levy win
While the successful passage of the parks levy provides breathing room for the city, Portlanders struggling amid our affordability and housing crisis don't have that same luxury, the editorial board w...
www.oregonlive.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Approval of the parks levy buys the city time to fix parks' funding/spending problems. But a 75% tax hike on Portlanders struggling in an affordability crisis is not something to celebrate. City leaders are on the clock to make progress. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
The beating-death of a 26-year-old in the Clackamas Co. Jail raises red flags about the jail's ability to ensure safety as well as Sheriff Angela Brandenburg's leadership. Fellow electeds should call out her lack of accountability and transparency. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: A Clackamas County Jail death raises red flags over leadership
The tragic beating-death of a 26-year-old who was being held in the Clackamas County Jail raises red flags about the jail's ability to ensure safety, the editorial board writes. But it also raises red...
www.oregonlive.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The beating-death of a 26-year-old in the Clackamas Co. Jail raises red flags about the jail's ability to ensure safety as well as Sheriff Angela Brandenburg's leadership. Fellow electeds should call out her lack of accountability and transparency. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Portlanders are being asked to approve a 75% hike in the parks levy, but only $2m/year will go to its biggest problem - ensuring pools, paths & other assets don't deteriorate to point of closure. Vote no and ask the city to revise the levy for May. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial endorsement November 2025: Vote ‘no’ on flawed parks levy and tell city to try again
Parks need Portlanders' support, but a measure that increases the tax rate by 75% is too expensive and dedicates far too little money to ensuring that parks, community centers and other assets are mai...
www.oregonlive.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Portlanders are being asked to approve a 75% hike in the parks levy, but only $2m/year will go to its biggest problem - ensuring pools, paths & other assets don't deteriorate to point of closure. Vote no and ask the city to revise the levy for May. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
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
October 12, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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...
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
October 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
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...
Trump's authorizing of fed troops to Portland is unnecessary and unjustified. But Portlanders must keep a cool head in how we respond. Don't let Portland to be turned into a prop for Trump’s authoritarian theatrics. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Portland must resist becoming Trump’s political prop
President Donald Trump's announcement that he will send federal forces to Portland is neither necessary nor justified, the editorial board writes. But Oregonians must resist reacting impetuously to Tr...
www.oregonlive.com
September 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Trump's authorizing of fed troops to Portland is unnecessary and unjustified. But Portlanders must keep a cool head in how we respond. Don't let Portland to be turned into a prop for Trump’s authoritarian theatrics. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
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
September 21, 2025 at 6:42 PM
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...
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
September 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
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...
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
September 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
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...
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
September 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
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...
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
August 24, 2025 at 11:52 PM
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...
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
August 20, 2025 at 3:58 PM
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...
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
August 17, 2025 at 9:49 PM
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...
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
July 13, 2025 at 5:23 PM
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...
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
July 6, 2025 at 9:14 PM
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...
Portland city councilors did the right thing by rescinding an earlier decision that held back Portland Children's Levy grants. But the importance of admitting a mistake shouldn't be the only takeaway from this debacle. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: Second time around, Portland City Council makes the right call
The seven city councilors who reversed their earlier rejection of Children's Levy grant recommendations deserve credit for admitting their mistake and rectifying their reckless decision, the editorial...
www.oregonlive.com
June 29, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Portland city councilors did the right thing by rescinding an earlier decision that held back Portland Children's Levy grants. But the importance of admitting a mistake shouldn't be the only takeaway from this debacle. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
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
June 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
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...
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
June 22, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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...
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
June 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
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...
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
June 1, 2025 at 11:52 PM
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...
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
May 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
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...
The best that can be said for the paltry fine Oregon ethics commissioners gave Shemia Fagan is that it was higher than what commission staff recommended. No wonder the public keeps losing faith in government. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial: A bargain-basement fine for Fagan’s broken ethics
While little can make up for former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan's actions that put her own self-interest above the public's, it's profoundly disappointing to see the Oregon Government Ethics Comm...
www.oregonlive.com
May 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The best that can be said for the paltry fine Oregon ethics commissioners gave Shemia Fagan is that it was higher than what commission staff recommended. No wonder the public keeps losing faith in government. Editorial: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
The proposal unveiled by Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek to waive SDC fees for housing construction for three years is a good move in this 10-year-old crisis. More of this please. Editorial peak: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Editorial peak: A proposal to jolt Portland’s housing market
The Portland City Council should embrace a proposal presented by Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek to temporarily waive development fees for housing construction in the city, the editori...
www.oregonlive.com
May 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The proposal unveiled by Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek to waive SDC fees for housing construction for three years is a good move in this 10-year-old crisis. More of this please. Editorial peak: www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...