Could Oregon Have Gotten a Better Blazers Deal for Less Taxpayer Money? Oregon put $365 million in state financing on the table for the Moda Center. Now, Robert Miller's research comparing 11 NBA arena agreements suggests something remarkable: Despite that enormous public commitment, Portland's proposed agreement ranks last in his analysis of attractiveness to the new owner. How does that happen? When the Legislature voted to authorize the $365 million, I voted NO. Not because I wanted the Trail Blazers to leave Oregon. I absolutely want them to stay. I voted no because we were doing things backwards. We were committing hundreds of millions in state financing BEFORE negotiating the complete deal. And here's something many people don't realize: That $365 million could cost Oregon taxpayers between $530 million and $625 million, including bond interest over 20 years. That's state income tax revenue that otherwise could support schools, public safety, roads, and other priorities. Yet according to Miller's analysis, the proposed agreement still exposes the private operator to substantial operating risks, maintenance liabilities, and restrictions on commercial opportunities. Think about that. We put hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on the table, yet the proposed business deal still isn't attractive to the people expected to operate the arena. Meanwhile, other cities have completed or negotiated substantial NBA arena projects without requiring comparable state financing. Which brings me right back to my original objection: Could we have negotiated a deal that was MORE attractive to the Blazers and LESS expensive for Oregon taxpayers? What if we had offered different commercial opportunities, more predictable operating obligations, or a better allocation of financial risk? Could those changes have reduced the need for hundreds of millions in state financing? I don't know the answer. And that's precisely my point. We should have explored those possibilities BEFORE putting $365 million in state financing on the table. The bonds haven't been issued yet, and the final agreement is still being negotiated. These questions still matter. I want the Blazers to stay. I want Moda Center to thrive. And I want Oregon taxpayers protected. We should be examining whether we can accomplish all three with less state money and less financial risk. Robert Miller's research is worth reading: Portland's Arena Offer Ranks Last Among 11 NBA Deals: robertmiller282650.substack.… Put Portland and the Blazers on the Same Side of the Dollar: oregonroundup.substack.com/p… Good intentions are not a substitute for good negotiating. And taxpayer money should never be the opening bid.

Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs confirm that Janelle Bynum "is no friend to law enforcement," and she has "disgraced Oregon police officers and all Oregonians." Throughout her career she has made our streets and our schools LESS safe. Time for a positive change, vote @PattiAdairOR

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Oregon is at a crossroads. @ChristineDrazan breaks down exactly what needs to change on taxes, business, homelessness, and education in this interview. @sbjoregon

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