Promise King
More of Promise King's Articles
No Primrose Path to A Sane State Mental Health System.
There are no easy answers to fixing the dysfunctional state mental health system. Instinctively, there aren't clear directions to a more effective and comprehensive solution. It isn't for lack of effort by administrators. Sensible solutions rest stubbornly on getting the infrastructures, medical requirements and community outreach frame right. Oregon Stat
Legislature Takes Transportation Package on the Road.
Public transportation funding packages used to be predictable drift along building bridges, rail lines construction, and road network development or maintenance. Not anymore. Sadly, a new cast of transportation options and innovation foist upon our system come with a dose of complexities along with competing community interests. With looming budget constr
Oregon DEI: Dead or Alive?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Oregon are dying a slow death.
Whether you support DEI or not, it is hard to ignore, the reticent tirades from the right and the knee-jerk reactions from the left. Many wonder about the future of DEI while reflecting on the complex interplay between historical exclusion and contemporary efforts toward …
Oregon DEI: Dead or Alive?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Oregon are dying a slow death.
Whether you support DEI or not, it is hard to ignore, the reticent tirades from the right and the knee-jerk reactions from the left. Many wonder about the future of DEI while reflecting on the complex interplay between historical exclusion and contemporary efforts toward …
Oregon’s Romance with Small & Minority Businesses: The Status is Complicated
If there's anything that binds Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner and his Republican counterpart Senate Minority Leader Knopp together, it's their consensus that Oregon ought to do more for businesses, especially small and minority businesses.
The conundrum in the legislative puzzle is how to achieve the greatest business development victory for everyone. Past efforts haven't significantly changed the terrain. Some proposals came cloaked in mindless political postulations and sham appeals to greed.
In the mids…
Salem Business & Political Roundtable: Rethinking State Housing Strategies with a Focus on Human Dignity
The recent legislative endeavors to address Oregon's housing crisis are marked by an influx of financial investment and nods to cultural initiatives but lack meaningful substance. Many of these proposals overlook innovative approaches to housing affordability and miss crucial opportunities for investments in construction workforce training - a pivotal fac
What is Happening in the Legislature and What to Know About the Process
Business & Political Roundtable
It seems "bipartisanship" long suppressed by zealous partisan hacks, is on the agenda in this short legislative session.
Senate Minority and Majority leaders Tim Knopp and Rob Wagner seem locked in a unison dance about the prospect of a session buffeted by bipartisan considerations. I'd hold my applause…
Charting a Balanced Path in Complex Times
Returning to journalism after a significant hiatus, I find myself in a unique position to observe and report on the intricate tapestry of socio-economic issues our society faces. My decision to join the editorial board of the Salem Business Journal is driven by a commitment to balanced and thoughtful journalism, emphasizing the diversity of perspectives i