Gov. Kate Brown visits Sitton Elementary in Portland, Oregon, on March 5th. Brown’s approval numbers were low in a recent DHM Research poll, although her pressure to get Oregon students back in the classroom was well received.
Eder Campuzano / Pool photo via Oregonlive / The Oregonian
This is one year into the pandemic and Oregon has managed to limit the spread of COVID-19 better than most states in the country.
From the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown has pursued strict policies to limit the spread of the virus.
However, a recent DHM Research poll from 7 to 14 March released this week revealed that only 11% of respondents had a ‘very positive’ impression of the governor and 26% of respondents’ had a ‘somewhat positive’ impression of her. But 57% had a ‘somewhat negative’ or ‘very negative’ impression of Brown.
“I’m surprised the numbers have dropped so far, but the broader context is that she’s never been so popular,” said John Horvick, with DHM, who conducted the poll. She’s polarized. She does not like Republicans as much as the Democrats do not like Donald Trump. ”
DHM is an impartial and independent organization that conducted the poll as a community service. The online survey surveyed 600 Oregonians over the age of 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 4%.
Brown’s approval numbers are low despite the fact that many of her COVID-19 decisions were largely well received, especially the pressure to get Oregon students back in the classrooms.
“She gets good marks for her big, risky decisions around schools, but it doesn’t show in her popularity,” Horvick said.
By comparison, the poll showed that President Joe Biden has a “very positive” rating of 28%; Les Schwab Tires has a “very positive” impression rate of 36%; Oregon Public Broadcasting had a “very positive” impression of 31%; Public school teachers had a “very positive” impression of 31% and unions representing public school teachers had a ‘very positive’ rating of 18%.
The survey asked Oregonians to weigh in on their impressions of key leaders, but also legislative policies and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccinations and reopening of schools.
In general, 40% of respondents felt that the state was heading in the right direction and 45% felt that it was heading in the wrong direction, while 15% said they were not sure.
COVID-19
The Oregon Health Authority recently told OPB that all Oregonians could be eligible for COVID-19 by May 1st. But even with the light at the end of the tunnel, about 60% of respondents are still very concerned or concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in the community. About 48% of respondents were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the introduction of vaccines in the state.
One of the more controversial decisions the governor made was to prioritize the vaccination of teachers and school workers over seniors. Respondents were almost divided on their opinion on the decision, with 46% agreeing with the decision and 45% disagreeing with her choice.
On March 5, the governor called on all public schools in Oregon to return to hybrid or full-time personal education. The requirement takes effect later this month for elementary students and April 19 for middle and high school students. An overwhelming 65% of respondents agree with Brown’s instruction that elementary schools should learn hybrid or personal by March 29th. 61% approved that primary schools should do the same by 19 April. At the same time, 67% were of the opinion that the decision had been made. on how and when schools would reopen, the local school districts must decide.
The majority of respondents, 52%, disapprove of or strongly disagree with the way Brown has generally reacted to the outbreak.
Legislative session
The Oregon Legislative Assembly in 2021 is underway. And while lawmakers have a myriad of crises to tackle – from the pandemic, to the wildfires, to unemployment and racial justice – the issue that Oregon residents consider the most urgent is the ongoing homelessness crisis.
Following issues of homelessness and poverty, the Oregonians want to question that legislators need to address issues related to environmental and climate change; COVID-19 and vaccinations; the economy; education and sending children back to school; taxes and the budget; and work and unemployment.
One of the big considerations in Salem during this session has a lot of support from the respondents: 60% support the idea of eliminating mandatory minimum imprisonment for non-violent crimes.
If criterion 11, which resulted in mandatory minimum sentences, were to vote today, it would be difficult to pass, Horvick said.
“But it is difficult to reverse the status quo,” he added.
Another idea in the Capitol state, which received support in the poll, is an attempt to allow school districts, state and local governments and other public bodies to ban firearms in their buildings, with 59% of the respondents who support the idea.
However, allowing prisoners to sit while locked up does not have much support. Oregon would become the third state in the country to allow inmates to vote under some proposals being considered this session. Among the 600 people surveyed, 53% opposed the idea.
Here’s a look at some of the other legislative issues that Oregonians have been asked about:
| Answer Category – sample size 600 | Strongly support | Some support | Somewhat opposed | Again strongly against it | Do not know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibit police from using pepper spray unless officially declared riots | 23% | 21% | 17% | 30% | 8% |
| Requires employers with less than 25 employees to provide 12 weeks of protected leave to employees to care for a newborn, treat a serious health condition, or other eligible family and medical reasons. | 36% | 28% | 12% | 11% | 11% |
In terms of housing, the Oregonians surveyed were overwhelmingly supportive of extending the COVID-19 eviction moratorium to September 1, 2021, with 60% strongly or somewhat supportive. More than 70% of respondents support the creation of a tax credit for landlords who have lost rent due to the inability of tenants to pay during the pandemic.
An idea to increase the state’s minimum wage by 1 July 2022 across the country to $ 17 per hour received support, while 51% of respondents said they agreed with the idea.
Here are some of the other major legislative issues currently under consideration that DHM Oregon residents have asked to be informed:
| Answer Category – Sample Size 600 | Strongly support | Some support | Somewhat opposed | Again strongly against it | Do not know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requires 100% of the electricity sold to Oregon customers by 2035 from clean energy sources | 31% | 29% | 13% | 17% | 11% |
| Requires State Highway Fund to increase minimum spending on pedestrian and bicycle projects from 1 percent to 5 percent | 18% | 27% | 21% | 19% | 16% |
| Requires producers to share the costs of handling and recycling their products and packaging with customers | 18% | 35% | 13% | 11% | 23% |
| Increase taxes on beer, apricots and wine to fund drug and drug health programs | 26% | 26% | 16% | 28% | 5% |
House Democrats recently unveiled major proposals to address air pollution and carbon emissions through diesel in Oregon. One idea would eventually end the sale of diesel in the state. Republican lawmakers and industry groups are not the only ones pushing the idea back: 44% of respondents were somewhat or strongly opposed to banning diesel sales.
Redistribution
The once-a-decade process of signing new district maps, known as redistribution, will take place this year. There is a lot of responsibility for the process because it can help determine which political party has the power for the next decade.
This year will be especially crucial, as Oregon is expected to get an additional seat for the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, there are four Democrats and one Republican representing Oregon in the U.S. House.
The DHM polls asked respondents what they think should be the most reasonable partisan composition after the new lines are drawn and elections are held and 37% said three Democrats and three Republicans should fill the seats.
And finally, when the respondents were asked what they were looking forward to when the pandemic was over, the ability to no longer wear masks was at the top of the list, followed by the ability to travel, spend time with family and friends, to live without fear and with the ability to go to the movies again are also listed among others.