Rational Fellow

Making sense of politics without losing yours. Facts, policy, elections & political commentary for voters who still value reason. Follow along.

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Oregon vs. Red States: The Idaho Showdown
Part 1: Paychecks, Health & Everyday Life
1/n Oregon has a real health-insurance advantage over Idaho: 5.2% uninsured vs 9.2% in 2024. That matters when a medical bill lands. But the full living-conditions comparison has surprises in both directions.
Follow the numbers

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

@JohnCornyn @TheTexasFlyover Hmm , what is he hinting at?

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

@NYCMayor @MsWinterrrr Just wow. Mayor’s social media team may have met their annual performance goal for appraisal with just this one post.

[BeshearStan @BeshearStan]

Senate Democrats just dropped a FIRE video of their candidates coming in hot!

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Oregon's Public Record: Federal power still has legal limits. @TinaKotek opposed the Portland troop deployment and backed Oregon's court challenge. The federal appeal of the ruling prohibiting deployment was dismissed in February 2026.

https://t.co/Mf3PA09T4F

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Oregon's Public Record: War powers belong in public debate. On March 4, 2026, Wyden and Merkley voted to advance an Iran measure addressing hostilities not authorized by Congress. The motion failed 47–53; their votes did not end the war.
The problem. Military action without congressional authorization raises questions about constitutional responsibility, public accountability and the exposure of service members.

What changed. On March 4, 2026, Wyden and Merkley voted to discharge S.J.Res. 104 for Senate consideration. The resolution directed removal of U.S. forces from hostilities within or against Iran that Congress had not authorized.

Why it helps. Their votes supported bringing a war-powers constraint forward and requiring Congress to confront its responsibility. This aligns with restraint on unilateral executive war-making.
https://t.co/Frvb1CXmZR

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Oregon's Public Record: A timely mailed vote should not depend on the postal delivery schedule. Oregon's postmark rule allows qualifying ballots mailed by Election Day to count if received within seven days. It does not extend the mailing deadline.

https://t.co/gsEFzfeojf

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Oregon's public record: Returning a ballot should not require a trip to buy a stamp. Oregon Democrats enacted paid return postage for official ballot envelopes. One less cost and errand between a voter and a completed vote.

Record. SB 861 (2019)

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Eligible voting should be straightforward.
Oregon's Public Record:
Oregon enacted Motor Voter in 2015 . Qualifying DMV interactions initiate an automatic registration process for eligible residents.
Eligible people receive a notice and can select a party or decline registration. People who take no action are generally registered as nonaffiliated voters, reducing a separate paperwork step.
Citizenship and other voting requirements still apply.

https://t.co/IiKnCkjwgY

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Efficient heating and cooling can be hard to afford upfront. Oregon's state heat-pump program offers qualifying households incentives up to $7,000 for higher-efficiency equipment. Local eligibility and available funding apply.

https://t.co/ZvP0yxbMYo

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Oregon's streams deserve protection, and forest owners need clear rules.
The Private Forest Accord turned timber–conservation negotiations into stronger safeguards, with support for small landowners.
Democratic leadership helped enact the deal.
Why it helps. Streamside vegetation and related forest-practice rules are designed to protect water and aquatic species. The negotiated approach also provides clearer expectations for forest managers.

https://t.co/bLaP0pDDfD

[Tina Kotek @TinaKotek]

Over the next decade, about $500 million will go toward training the next generation of engineers and creating new jobs. That’s how we keep the Silicon Forest strong and make sure Oregonians get the good-paying jobs that come with it.

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Packaging waste should come with producer responsibility.
Oregon enacted the Recycling Modernization Act in 2021, with program changes beginning in July 2025. It requires covered producers to help finance improvements through a producer-responsibility system.
https://t.co/YvFS9CKusF

[Jessiah @thepondering_]

Your quarterly reminder that President Biden and the Democrats "protected Teamsters pensions" over the objection of Trump, MAGA, and elected Republicans

And this piece of shit has taken every opportunity since then to ratfuck the Dems, big time in 2024 and now here

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Climate commitments need a schedule and regulatory follow-through to shape actual utility planning.
Oregon enacted HB 2021 in 2021. It sets greenhouse-gas reduction requirements for covered investor-owned utilities and electricity service suppliers: 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035 and 100% by 2040 relative to the statutory baseline.

Why it helps. Utilities must plan toward a cleaner electricity system, with PUC oversight and consideration of community benefits. This law turns a long-term goal into interim obligations.

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

@TeamTinaHQ
@TinaKotek
@youngdems
@JeffMerkley
@SenJeffMerkley
@RonWyden
@RepBonamici
@TinaKotek
@dccc

[Rational Fellow @RationalFellow]

Oregon put stronger limits on state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement. The Sanctuary Promise Act also created reporting and accountability tools. A concrete boundary around public resources and personal data.

https://t.co/xrKPdcfViL

[Fav @favwontmiss]

I hope people understand that even if we have a Blue Wave Extinction Level Event on Tuesday your life is not going to feel different on Wednesday, or even in January when the new camp gets seated. It’s almost certain that prices and corruption are only going to get worse for quite a while, and that DOES NOT MEAN that we failed or were tricked or that nothing will ever change. Just remember that this is the first and most necessary step in a long battle and we’re going to have to keep showing up.

[Jake Kemp @NotJackKemp]

an always important graphic https://t.co/2EBVke6qx3