
15-23 Democrats Assisting Oregon’s Suicide – With Republican Help
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Show 15-23 Summary: The Democrats’ latest scheme to steal money from Oregonians to solve imaginary problems will kill businesses and jobs. It’s like watching democrats unplug Oregon’s life support. But why are three Republicans helping to push through a carbon cap and trade scheme? It will, allegedly (maybe), replace the governor’s existing climate protection program currently being phased in. Tune in to hear how and why this will chase even more businesses from Oregon and definitely prevent new ones from moving in.

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Air Dates: June 7th & 8th, 2025 | Guest: Jennifer Hamaker
This Week – Democrats Assisting Oregon’s Suicide — With Republican Help?
The Democrats are raising taxes on practically everything. And they are especially hitting hard its businesses and the factors that generate income and economic activity. In other words, they are harming what would normally help a business grow. And let businesses hire new employees. They are demanding businesses and Oregonians pay more when the State refuses to cut back any spending. While that’s no surprise, it is a surprise that three Republicans have decided to help.
It’s like elected democrats are Dr. Kevorkian. And republicans are his aides. Because what they are hatching will kill Oregon businesses.
Get involved! Don’t be silent! It’s easier than ever to let your voice be heard on bad legislation. Head to this page on Oregon Live for contact info for your legislators. Includes a search function if you’re not 100% sure.
Here’s info for the three republicans mentioned supporting carbon cap and trade: Senator Bruce Starr and representatives Kevin Mannix and Jeff Helfrich.
Why the Democrats’ Plan will Kill Businesses

In our last show, we interviewed Jonathan Williams, the president and chief economist of the American Legislative Exchange Council. We talked about the coming economic boom for America, thanks to trillion dollar deals Trump brought back from the Middle East. Which could generate up to $10 trillion in economic activity. America is being reshaped into a manufacturing-based economy.
But Oregon is likely to see none of that.
In fact, a recent business survey showed one quarter of Oregon’s business had been approached by other states to relocate. And of those two-thirds said they had already relocated or were expanding their presence outside of Oregon.
But when new businesses are created from those trillions, how many will think of Oregon? Few. If any. Why? Because Oregon is increasing fees and taxes and adding punitive regulations. Not just on businesses but on the potential employees of those new businesses. Worse, Oregon democrats want to punish you if you use (in their mind) the wrong kind of energy.
How many businesses don’t use energy? How many farms don’t use fuels for their equipment? Or how many trucks make deliveries without using fuel?
Move to Oregon where you’ll get punished? Or build in another state where they will welcome you with open arms?
Poison Pills: Carbon Cap and Trade vs. Climate Protection Plan
The democrats’ poison has already been administered. Now it’s just a matter of how quickly the patient will die.
We welcome back Jennifer Hamaker, the president of Oregon Natural; Resource Industries, or ONRI, Because it’s not just the democrats. It’s republicans who are helping to unleash this on Oregonians.
In 2019, Oregon made national news when republican senators walked out the capitol to deny quorum. And refused to come back until the democrats’ carbon tax bill was taken off the table. They had to go across state lines because democrat governor, Kate Brown, threatened to send the state troopers after them to arrest them and drag them back to the capitol.
But they held out. And time ran out. So instead, in 2020, Kate unleashed the Climate Protection Program, the same plan but through an executive order. But Oregon’s appeals court threw it out in 2023. Not to be told no when it comes to punishing people and businesses into submission, Oregon’s DEQ relaunched the same plan with a few changes in 2024. We’re in the “gentle phase” of three phases.
The next phase kicks in. And it’s punitive. But not until 2028. Conveniently after the 2026 election. How bad? The fees to use natural gas will be more than the gas itself. And how bad will that be? According to Jen, if you pay $100 a month for your gas bill, it will skyrocket to $300 per month. Just from the fees. For using the “wrong” fuel for energy. You can imagine what they’ll do to gasoline and diesel.
Stupid Republicans Assisting Assisted Suicide
Tune in to hear why Senator Bruce Starr and representatives Kevin Mannix and Jeff Helfrich are considering helping the democrats pass the slightly less poisonous of the two poison pills. Where the Climate Protection Plan will kill businesses quickly, Republicans are willing to swallow the less poisonous (for now) pill of the carbon cap and trade.
It’s a trap.
Don’t take either pill. Oregonians need to feel the full weight of democrat oppression. Let the democrats take the blame. And Republicans should spend the next year talking about what’s coming in 2028. Unless Oregon finally votes for Republicans.
Don’t miss this show. Because if think paying democrats to pretend to solve imaginary problems is bad enough, you haven’t heard where the money will go.
The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version
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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info
- Jennifer’s organization is Oregon Natural Resource Industries. Their website is ONRI.us
- Don’t be silent! Let the three republicans (and your own legislators!) know what you think about the Climate Protection Plan and the carbon cap and trade legislation. Here’s info for the three republicans mentioned: Senator Bruce Starr and representatives Kevin Mannix and Jeff Helfrich.
- Watch that video on Ivanpah. California’s extreme green solar plant that failed. After wasting 2.2 billion. And share that! It’s a prime example of a green energy boondoggle coming soon to Oregon. Here’s the link to copy and share: https://www.ispyradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ivanpah-Stupid-Idea-and-Waste.mp4
- Solar Plant Wants to Pay Off Massive Government Loan with Massive Government Grant (Reason, Nov 11, 2014)
Not mentioned but related
- Good environmental news 1 American Forest Resource Council Lawsuit (Brookings Institute, April 7, 2025)
- Good environmental news 2: Logging, grazing benefit from Supreme Court limiting NEPA (Capital Press, June 2, 2025)
- Good environmental news 3: SCOTUS’ Latest NEPA Ruling Means (Forbes, June 3, 2025)
- Oregon conservation groups intervene (Pub News Serv, June 2, 2025)
Also also related
- Fury as Republicans go ‘nuclear’ in fight over California car emissions (Guardian,. May 22, 2025)
- “Senate votes to reverse EPA waiver and prevent state setting own rules”*Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets and updates its own federal standards for all states on smog and emissions from cars and trucks … But for decades, California has been granted the ability to make those rules even stricter”
- Senate nullifies California’s electric vehicle mandate, using fast-track authority to bypass filibuster (CNN, May 22, 2025)
- “Republicans were livid when at the end of former President Joe Biden’s term, the Environmental Protection Agency greenlit California’s plan to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, shifting the state towards electric vehicles.”
- Kash Patel Announces Charges Against Chinese Nationals In Agroterrorism Case (Trending Politics, June 3, 2025)
- “A Better Way Than Cap and Trade” (Bjorn Lomborgh, Dec 16, 2008).
- The End of the EU’s Cap-and-Trade Affair (Bjorn Lomborg, Apr 24, 2013)
- From the true believers: Carbon Markets 101