Our view | A tip of the hat, a kick in the pants - East Oregonian |
| Our view | A tip of the hat, a kick in the pants - East Oregonian Posted: 10 Aug 2019 07:00 AM PDT  A kick in the pants to federal and state authorities in the aftermath of the water crisis on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon. The reservation may be a sovereign nation but the water crisis there — which began in May — should be a subject that makes everyone stop and take notice. The area has been without safe drinking water for a long time after a pipe burst and created a series of failures with an aging system, leaving nearly 4,000 people to make due. The list of problems related to the issue is long. Firefighters can't count on hydrants to work and sprinkler systems, cooling systems, air-conditioning systems, restrooms, toilets are all affected by lack of water. The Oregon Legislature recently earmarked money to help alleviate the problem but federal authorities have been slow to react to the crisis. The Environmental Protection Agency has threatened to fine the tribe nearly $60,000 a day if it doesn't get safe water pouring through faucets by October. Whether the issue revolves around a sovereign nation or a local township, the fact that nearly 4,000 people have to rely on donations for water is a sad commentary on where we are as a nation. Federal and state authorities need to work together to help the tribe solve this problem. Enough is enough. Surely, we can do better. A tip of the hat to all the volunteers and fair employees that have worked to make the Umatilla County Fair the go-to place for fun this year. The fair has delivered on an unspoken promise to put a cap on the summer season with entertainment, fun and good food. A tip of the hat to the fire crews that worked to contain dozens of fires within the HK Complex south of Monument in the Heppner Ranger District. The fires consumed 2,455 acres before containment and the fire crews that battled the blaze should be commended for ensuring the fires did not scorch any more terrain. A tip of the hat to the crew from the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps's summer program that recently finished a project to create a database of Pendleton's trees. The effort will help the Pendleton Parks and Recreation and Tree Commissions evaluate the health of our little urban forest. The four local teenagers involved in the program and their leader — Adam Charlton — made a difference for their community.  |
| Posted: 09 Aug 2019 07:02 PM PDT  The California Republican Party made a misleading and blatantly inaccurate claim this week that President Donald Trump was "kicked off the California ballot" during a fundraising pitch on its website. It asks supporters to donate to get Trump "back on the ballot." The message goes on to claim "Governor Newsom signed SB27, preventing President Trump from appearing on next year's ballot. The law is clearly unconstitutional and disenfranchises millions of California voters. We need your support to overturn SB27." We set out on a fact check. Our research Gov. Gavin Newsom did sign Senate Bill 27 into law last week. But it doesn't prevent Trump or anyone else from appearing on the California ballot, nor does it mean he's "kicked off." Instead, it requires candidates for president and governor to release five years of tax returns to run in the state's primary. The requirement does not extend to the general election. Here's what the law says: "This bill would enact the Presidential Tax Transparency and Accountability Act, which would require a candidate for President, in order to have the candidate's name placed upon a primary election ballot, to file the candidate's income tax returns for the 5 most recent taxable years with the Secretary of State, as specified." Trump has refused to release his returns, saying since his campaign for president they are under audit. Trump, the Republican National Committee and California Republican Party have all filed lawsuits over SB 27, arguing it is unconstitutional and "a naked political attack" on Trump. The law passed on a party-line vote in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Some legal analysts have questioned it, as did former Gov. Jerry Brown when he vetoed a similar law two years ago, saying it would create a slippery slope of trying to force candidates to release additional information to run for president. The courts will eventually decide on its constitutionality. But as it stands, it does not prevent Trump from appearing on the ballot. Asked about the accuracy of the claim, a spokesperson for the California Republican Party pointed to a news release on the party's website about the lawsuits. The release criticizes the law and contends Democrats are using it "to keep Republicans home" during the next election. But it doesn't provide any information showing Trump was kicked off the ballot or prevented from being on it. California is still several months from finalizing its ballot for the March 2020 primary. After we asked about the claim, the headline on the party's website changed slightly from President Trump "kicked off" the ballot to President Trump "off" the ballot. Another line changed from asking donors to contribute to get Trump "back on the ballot" to get him "on the ballot." Our ruling The California Republican Party recently claimed President Trump was "kicked off the California ballot" as a result of Senate Bill 27. The recently signed law requires candidates for president and governor to release five years of tax returns to run in the state's primary. It does not apply to candidates in the general election. Republicans are challenging the law in court, saying it's unconstitutional. The law very well may be struck down by a court. But, as written, it does not kick Trump off the ballot or prevent him from being on it. That ballot is still several months from being finalized. It might be a difficult decision for Trump to release his tax returns, which he has refused to do, but it still provides this avenue for him and all future candidates for president and governor to appear on the primary ballot. The message on the state party's website is blatantly false, ignores any mention of what's actually in the law and how candidates can comply. What's more, the false message is being used as a fundraiser. For these reasons, we rate it Pants on Fire. PANTS ON FIRE – The statement is not accurate and makes a ridiculous claim. Click here for more on the six PolitiFact ratings and how we select facts to check.  |
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