Nine leaders and organizations earned a +1 this week, and Ron Wyden stayed atop the overall rankings at +9. The biggest investment came from Portland General Electric, which signed $1.75 billion in deals for two Oregon solar farms with batteries that can deliver power after sunset.
Three federal grants brought $11.2 million to Oregon for an infectious disease lab at OHSU, chip research equipment at Portland State, and a tool that helps a Portland biotech startup test new protein designs. Portland Community College and Willamette University made it easier for students to plan a transfer without wasting time and money on classes that won’t count. In Portland, Steve Novick helped end a permit requirement for pinball machines and pool tables, cutting fees and paperwork for about 200 businesses.
The Oregon Health Authority received a 0 for its new health insurance marketplace. With Explore Health launching November 1, we’ll wait to see how well it works for Oregonians shopping for coverage.
Weekly Scoring Table
| Rank | Leader / Organization | This Week | Overall | Articles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ron Wyden | +1 | +9 | 1 |
| 1 | Jeff Merkley | +1 | +5 | 1 |
| 1 | National Science Foundation | +1 | +4 | 1 |
| 1 | Suzanne Bonamici | +1 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | National Institutes of Health | +1 | +1 | 1 |
| 1 | Portland Community College | +1 | +1 | 1 |
| 1 | Portland General Electric | +1 | +1 | 1 |
| 1 | Steve Novick | +1 | +1 | 1 |
| 1 | Willamette University | +1 | +1 | 1 |
| 10 | Oregon Health Authority | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Articles Scored This Week
More Than a Decade After Debacle, Oregon Set to Make Second Go at Its Own Health Insurance Marketplace
Date: October 27, 2026
Leader / Organization: Oregon Health Authority
Score: 0
Score Headline: Launches Oregon's new health insurance marketplace. Results pending.
Score Explanation: Oregon is trying again.
In 2014, Oregon's first health insurance website, Cover Oregon, failed after the state spent roughly $300 million. Oregon abandoned the system and switched to the federal HealthCare.gov website.
Now, more than a decade later, Oregon has launched Explore Health, a new state-run website where people can shop for health insurance. The new system launched November 1, 2026, and is expected to serve roughly 110,000–120,000 Oregonians.
The state expects to spend nearly $93 million to launch and operate the system over five years, with ongoing costs after that. This time, Oregon is using technology that already works in other states instead of building everything from scratch.
Novick Junks Permitting Fees for Pinball Machines and Pool Tables
Date: October 27, 2026
Leader / Organization: Steve Novick
Score: +1
Score Headline: Got rid of permits for Pinball and Pool Tables
Score Explanation: Portland businesses no longer have to pay the city for special permits to operate pinball machines and pool tables.
On October 14, 2026, the Portland City Council approved a proposal from Councilor Steve Novick to eliminate an outdated rule dating back nearly 100 years.
The change will save about 200 Portland businesses between $50 and $1,000 a year in permit fees, while cutting unnecessary paperwork for bars, arcades, and pool halls.
The new rules take effect December 31, 2026.
OHSU to receive $8M to build out state-of-the-art lab for infectious disease study
Date: October 27, 2026
Leader / Organization: National Institutes of Health
Score: +1
Score Headline: Awards $8 Million to build next-generation disease research lab at OHSU
Score Explanation: The National Institutes of Health awarded $8 million to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to build a new laboratory in Portland. OHSU will add $10 million, bringing the total investment to $18 million.
The new lab will replace a 30-year-old facility and help researchers study dangerous diseases, develop treatments, and prepare for future pandemics. Other Oregon universities will also be able to use it.
The facility will be a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory, the second-highest safety level. A 2025 study estimated that the United States has about 1,650 BSL-3 laboratories and 17 BSL-4 facilities, the highest safety level.
The new OHSU facility will expand its ability to study dangerous pathogens, including live viruses such as those that cause COVID-19 and yellow fever.
Strong oversight, safety measures, and transparency are essential.
PSU, pols mark $2M semiconductor innovation grant, school's Silicon Forest role
Date: October 27, 2026
Leader / Organization: Suzanne Bonamici; Jeff Merkley; Ron Wyden
Score: +1
Score Headline: Secure $2 Million for PSU Semiconductor Research
Score Explanation: Oregon's congressional delegation secured $2 million in federal funding for Portland State University (PSU) to purchase a powerful new microscope for semiconductor research.
The microscope will allow students and researchers to examine computer chip materials at an extremely small scale, helping them develop new technologies and gain hands-on experience with equipment used in the semiconductor industry.
The investment will help train future workers, support research, and strengthen Oregon's semiconductor industry.
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici requested the funding, with support from Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden. The $2 million grant was formally awarded in September 2026 and celebrated at PSU on October 27.
Caravel Bio lands $1.2M NSF grant, hires CTO
Date: October 28, 2026
Leader / Organization: National Science Foundation
Score: +1
Score Headline: Gives $1.2 million grant to Portland biotech firm
Score Explanation: The National Science Foundation awarded $1.2 million to Caravel Bio to build a tool that tests many protein designs at once. The Portland startup plans to sell the test results to companies so they can see which designs work best and how to improve them.
Willamette, PCC strike 'transfer partnership' agreement
Date: October 28, 2026
Leader / Organization: Willamette University; Portland Community College
Score: +1
Score Headline: Make It Easier for PCC Students to Transfer to Willamette
Score Explanation: Starting with fall 2027 transfers, PCC students who want to finish their degree at Willamette can get help choosing classes that will count toward their degree. Students who meet the program’s requirements can also get a grant to help pay tuition.
Knowing which classes will count before you take them can save time and money. This agreement gives PCC students a clearer path to a four-year degree.
PGE reveals $1.7B projects, deal to power controversial Salem data center
Date: October 29, 2026
Leader / Organization: Portland General Electric
Score: +1
Score Headline: Signs deals for two Oregon solar farms + batteries. Could generate about 1.5% of the electricity Oregon uses in a year.
Score Explanation: PGE signed deals for two Oregon solar farms with batteries, one in Sherman County and one on the Warm Springs Reservation. PGE expects both projects to start supplying power by the end of 2029.
The deals are a step toward making more electricity here in Oregon. The batteries can store power during the day and send it to the grid after sunset, when people still need it.
If the panels average a quarter of their maximum output over a year, they could generate about 1.5% of the electricity Oregon customers bought in 2024.
