Hester Communications

Thoughts of a retired journalist and communications specialist on media, politics and messaging.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

This article illustrates Oregon dysfunction perfectly: Identify a legitimate problem, raise #taxes to fix the problem, refuse to show the public how you're using the $ while the problem gets worse. Why would anyone vote to continue this cycle? https://t.co/4GNM6hs04S

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

I have plenty of problems with Republicans in Congress (Ds, too), but this isn't one of them. Town halls are performance art - staged, orchestrated and mostly scripted. Time would be better spent in DC doing their job, which neither party is doing.

[Matt Fuller @MEPFuller]

House Republicans held the fewest number of in-person town halls for the first part of this year since Legistorm started tracking that information.

(They had 39, while Democrats held 451.)

The GOP is breaking the voter feedback loop. Big implications.

https://t.co/ySQ1NzoJB9

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Interesting that mega retailer #Costco is entering the #MedicareAdvantage market as health-care provider Providence exits it. Economies of scale matter more than expertise in today's competitive landscape. https://t.co/6hhDsXY3nR

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Nuclear plants lower electricity costs and data centers increase them. The public is serious about the cost of living and they understand what is necessary to lower prices better than politicians do.

[Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ @christopherrufo]

Americans would rather have a nuclear power plant built in their community than a data center, this may be the worst corporate public-relations fumble of all time

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

An example of something I wrote about in my column on the outdoors industry: Oregon is uncompetitive even in areas where it has natural advantages. We're a leading foodie city & birthplace of James Beard but can't make the 1st cut for the Beard Awards. https://t.co/g5V9CnjU8v

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Interesting headline on this article. If "success" means raising lots of money, effectively creating a government slush fund, yes Portland's Clean Energy Fund has been a success. By other definitions of success, it's more debatable. https://t.co/2xmIj0jqcA

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Another traditional Oregon business being regulated out of existence. https://t.co/ZxQ1IPCfhP

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

There are 3 types of Rs who've had success in deep blue states. Oregon has tried a celebrity and a social liberal/fiscal conservative hybrid. That leaves a path that fits this year's governor race: a legislator facing an incumbent with a horrible record. https://t.co/uhT5cNTT4s

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

There are 3 types of Rs who've had success in deep blue states. Oregon has tried a celebrity and a social liberal/fiscal conservative hybrid. That leaves a path that fits this year's governor race: a legislator facing an incumbent with a horrible record. https://t.co/uhT5cNTT4s

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

"A new analysis by the Oregon Employment Department shows the state’s unemployment rate rising much faster than in other parts of the country, beginning about three years ago." @GovTinaKotek took office about 3 years ago. https://t.co/SXAGAe8wZO

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

The #datacenter debate is, like so many things, focused on the fringes with both far right and far left against them. Data centers are needed but they come at significant costs. So don't offer sweetheart deals & put them in areas with few economic options. But don't ban them.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Kotek's campaign strategy isn't surprising but it's disrespectful. Even voters who despise all things Trump, care about other things too - like the ability to make a living. She owes it to Oregonians to discuss more than Trump. Then voters can decide what matters more. #Elections

[Tina Kotek @TinaKotek]

Oregon deserves a governor who will always stand up for our state. Together, we’ve proven we can take on Donald Trump and win. Christine Drazan has stood with him every step of the way.

This November, the choice is clear - because Oregon's values are on the ballot.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

When Texas pauses data center approvals, you know the tech industry has lost negotiating leverage. No state or local government should offer tax breaks in this environment. If anything, governments should lock in a requirement that data centers pay extra. https://t.co/FTobCBAySV

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

@andrewselsky Yes

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

A ban or moratorium isn't the right approach but Oregon (all states, really) should be discerning about which data center projects to approve. They should only go on land with limited other uses and in circumstances where they won't strain the power grid. https://t.co/ci1jJzFJWH

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Good article from Jonathan Bach of @oregonian. It shows 2 problems plaguing Oregon: Companies that led Oregon's growth are struggling, often because of self-inflicted problems. At the same time government policies are discouraging new companies/investment. https://t.co/8RThvhwPqs

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

My Oregon Roundup column looks at reasons that Oregon's #outdoors industry underperforms: "It’s hard to attract jobs when you treat businesses and their customers as intruders who must follow an elaborate set of rules for the privilege of being in Oregon. https://t.co/XpKzlG6eO3

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

Good editorial. An open, honest discussion of Covid-era policies is essential to reducing the polarization that is strangling this country. It's also a necessary step towards preparing for the next pandemic. #FauciFiles #Covid
https://t.co/41TcycZKog

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

This is 1 of the biggest blows yet. When cities collapse, it's usually because of one declining industry - Boeing in 1970s in Seattle, autos in Detroit, steel in Pittsburgh, etc. Portland's economic problems stretch across almost every industry.
https://t.co/acZERBvgJj

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

@FarmTwitPDX That's OK. In my opinion, data centers should be in locations with few other economic options.

[Hester Communications @CustomHester]

I don't have a problem with this. Data centers will be built somewhere, but there probably are higher uses of industrial land in Hillsboro than data centers. For the sake of Oregon's #economy there needs to be. #datacenters
https://t.co/kylvuuuZpp