Genentech led this week’s rankings with a +2 for announcing a $750 million expansion of its Hillsboro manufacturing operation, expected to create 250 permanent jobs. Other positive scores went to the Ballmer Group for investing $125 million in youth mental health, the U.S. Forest Service for $15 million in Oregon wood-industry projects, Rep. Court Boice for calling for accountability from the Curry County sheriff, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for investigating Home Forward travel spending, and Prosper Portland for launching grants to help businesses fill vacant storefronts.

At the bottom, the U.S. Federal Tax Code received -3 for a system that allows billionaires to direct enormous amounts of otherwise taxable wealth toward priorities of their choosing. Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan received -2 after driving drunk in a sheriff’s vehicle and lying during the traffic stop, while the City of Portland, Portland Solutions, and Urban Alchemy received -2 scores over accountability failures surrounding Portland’s homeless shelter system. Multnomah County also received -1 for closing hundreds of shelter beds after expanding services with temporary funding.

Senator Ron Wyden earned a +2 for helping pass a bill that could lower taxes for wildfire survivors. The Curry County Board of Commissioners also earned +2 for trying to hold Sheriff John Ward accountable. Ward received the week’s lowest score, -3, after refusing to provide records and facing serious misconduct claims.

Other positive scores went to four Portland city councilors and one Multnomah County commissioner for pushing back on the Blazers public funding plan, Providence for adding hospital beds, Oregon State University for winning job-training money, and the City of Portland for moving quickly on permits.

The Trump administration received negative scores for vaccine policy changes and for ending a rule meant to help track shell companies and financial crime.

Courts and watchdogs led the rankings this week. Judge Karin Immergut and the Ninth Circuit both earned +2 scores for stopping federal actions they found unlawful. Oregon leaders also pushed back on tariffs, studied their impact, helped wildfire victims, and called for stronger oversight of the state pension fund.

At the bottom, Rep. Greg Smith earned -3 after agreeing to a $12,000 ethics fine for using his public job to benefit himself. The Trump administration also received -3 after Oregon reported billions of dollars in tariff costs and major losses in exports and state revenue.

Tina Kotek led this week with +3 points. She stopped the sale of state land for a large Salem data center and asked the federal government for faster wildfire help.

Portland failed to protect a family from a dangerous tree. ICE made it hard to tell real agents from criminals. FEMA denied help for two Oregon fires, and the federal government ended legal aid that could affect about 175 immigrant children in Oregon.

The Port of Portland earned a +3 for finishing the $2.15 billion PDX project on time and on budget. The Oregon Legislature also earned a +3 after a new law helped free a man whose case used junk science. Alaska Airlines earned a +2 for a new $135 million repair center that should create about 100 high-paying jobs.

This week's biggest positive stories included federal funding for Oregon's semiconductor industry, city leaders asking for stronger protections before spending public money on the Moda Center, and efforts to investigate possible fraud in Lakeview.

This week's biggest positive stories included programs that reduced pesticide deaths among Oregon bees, expanded mattress recycling, and grocery assistance for some Oregon Health Plan members.

This week's biggest positive stories included a new federal grant for the Willamette Falls redevelopment, stronger calls for data center accountability, and emergency relief for Oregon pear growers.

The biggest setback came at the Oregon Health Authority, where Director Sejal Hathi resigned after a troubled tenure marked by budget problems, Oregon State Hospital issues, and leadership questions.

This week's Rainmaker Rankings cover data center tax breaks, the Prosperity Council's economic plan, the Moda Center debate, education, and the Willamette River. See who earned the highest scores, who lost points, and why.

Oregon’s economy depends on talent. This post lays out the “Talent Flywheel”: invest in education, grow a stronger workforce, attract employers, create higher-paying jobs, and build a self-reinforcing cycle of long-term economic growth.

District 51 already has the ingredients for a stronger local economy: rivers, farmland, forests, small cities, manufacturing, and access to Mount Hood. This post lays out a practical plan to grow jobs, tourism, and infrastructure across Canby, Sandy, Estacada, Oregon City, Willamette Falls, and the Clackamas River corridor.

Prices are too high, but not every cost is within state control. This post breaks down where Oregon can actually make a difference — including utilities, state taxes, housing, transportation, healthcare, childcare, and food.

Oregon is getting too expensive. I’m running for Oregon House District 51 to help lower costs, grow the local economy, and build a stronger long-term future through what I call the Talent Flywheel.