Rainmaker Rankings Week of June 21, 2026
Executive Summary
The biggest positive stories included a lawsuit challenging data center tax breaks, new recommendations from the Prosperity Council to improve Oregon's economy, and a proposal to restore the Willamette River at Ross Island. These efforts earned several leaders and organizations the week's highest scores.
Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon received the week's lowest score after saying taxpayers should pay for the entire Moda Center renovation instead of the team contributing private money.
Weekly Scoring Table
| Rank | Leader / Organization | This Week | Overall | Articles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1000 Friends of Oregon | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Human Access Project | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Kipperlyn Sinclair | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Mark Gamba | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Oregon Education Association | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Oregon State University | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Prosperity Council | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Rob Nosse | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Tammy Carpenter | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Tax Fairness Oregon | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 1 | Tina Kotek | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 12 | Suzanne Bonamici | +1 | +1 | 1 |
| 13 | Tom Dundon | -2 | -2 | 1 |
Articles Scored This Week
Politicians, teachers union sue Hillsboro, Washington County over tax breaks to data centers
Date: June 24, 2026
Leader / Organization: Oregon Education Association; 1000 Friends of Oregon; Kipperlyn Sinclair; Tammy Carpenter; Tax Fairness Oregon
What Happened: Sued Hillsboro and Washington County over 17 data center enterprise zone tax break approvals. The lawsuit argues local officials approved the deals after the Legislature passed a moratorium but before it took effect, and that some deals could waive property taxes for decades.
Issue Areas: Data centers / tax fairness / schools / local government / economic development
Rainmaker Recommendation: Data centers should pay the full electricity, water, infrastructure, and public-service costs they create, and should not get overly generous tax breaks compared with other businesses.
Score: +2
Score Explanation: +2 because the lawsuit is a concrete effort to block large data center tax breaks and force more accountability. +3 if they win.
‘Prosperity Council’ wish list for Gov. Tina Kotek: lower taxes, less regulation, more land
Date: June 25, 2026
Leader / Organization: Tina Kotek
What Happened: Convened the Prosperity Council in January to recommend ways to improve Oregon’s economy. The council released a report calling for tax changes, faster permitting, fewer outdated regulations, more industrial land, stronger economic development tools, workforce development, and more higher education funding.
Issue Areas: Economic development / taxes / regulation / permitting / land use / workforce / higher education
Rainmaker Recommendation: Adopt the useful parts of the Prosperity Council agenda: faster permitting, fewer outdated regulations, more industrial land, R&D tax credits, broader tax reform, cap-and-trade, and higher education investment. Be cautious about tax cuts and new spending that do not show clear public benefit.
Score: +2
Score Explanation: +2 because convening the council and producing serious economic policy recommendations is a constructive step.
Leader / Organization: Prosperity Council
What Happened: Released 10 recommendations to improve Oregon’s economy, including rethinking Business Oregon, tax changes, faster permitting, reducing outdated regulations, expanding development-ready industrial land, changing greenhouse gas policy, strengthening workforce planning, and increasing higher education funding.
Issue Areas: Economic development / taxes / regulation / permitting / land use / workforce / higher education
Rainmaker Recommendation: Adopt the useful parts of the Prosperity Council agenda: faster permitting, fewer outdated regulations, more industrial land, R&D tax credits, broader tax reform, cap-and-trade, and higher education investment. Be cautious about tax cuts and new spending that do not show clear public benefit.
Score: +2
Score Explanation: +2 because the council produced serious economic policy recommendations.
Trail Blazers owner says taxpayers must cover entire Moda Center makeover
Date: June 25, 2026
Leader / Organization: Tom Dundon
What Happened: Said he does not want to put private money toward the Moda Center renovation and argued that keeping the Trail Blazers in Portland is already a major investment.
Issue Areas: Public spending / sports facilities / city budget / economic development / Moda Center
Rainmaker Recommendation: Public money for the Moda Center should require a strong long-term lease, private contribution, rent payments, public transparency, and clear public benefit.
Score: -2
Score Explanation: -2 for not being willing to contribute to the renovation, putting burden on taxpayers
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici Moves to Impeach U.S. Education Secretary
Date: June 26, 2026
Leader / Organization: Suzanne Bonamici
What Happened: Introduced a resolution to impeach U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, arguing that the Trump administration is illegally dismantling the Department of Education without Congress and harming students, families, educators, students with disabilities, and civil rights enforcement.
Issue Areas: Education / federal funding / special education / civil rights / executive power
Rainmaker Recommendation: Keep protections for students with disabilities, civil rights enforcement, and stable education funding. Major changes to the Department of Education should go through Congress.
Score: +1
Score Explanation: +1 for introducing a resolution
Researchers say they have a solution for Willamette River algal bloom. What’s stopping it?
Date: June 26, 2026
Leader / Organization: Rob Nosse; Mark Gamba; Human Access Project; Oregon State University
What Happened: Supported a proposed fix for the annual toxic algal bloom at Ross Island by digging channels through the lagoon to restore river flow. Nosse and Gamba sponsored a proposal for $1 million in planning money, but it died in the Legislature.
Issue Areas: Willamette River / Ross Island / water quality / public access / environmental restoration / recreation
Rainmaker Recommendation: Fix the Ross Island lagoon by restoring river flow and reducing toxic algal blooms, making the Willamette River healthier and more usable for Portlanders.
Score: +2
Score Explanation: +2 because they identified a real solution and tried to secure funding
