In one of her first votes as a member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Val Hoyle voted with Republicans on Jan. 31 in favor of HR 497, the “Freedom for Health Care Workers Act.” This act has just one provision, which repeals the current federal rule requiring all workers at health care facilities that receive federal funds to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Hoyle was one of just seven Democrats (along with OR-6’s new representative, Andrea Salinas) to support this Republican anti-vaccine bill.
This bill is anti-science and an insult to the health care workers who have been on the front lines of the pandemic. Further, Oregonians deserve to know that, when they walk into a doctor’s office or hospital, the health care professionals treating them are not conspiracy theorists. I supported Hoyle in 2022 to carry on Peter DeFazio’s legacy of common-sense leadership in Washington, not to be a supporter of Republican’s COVID denial and other attacks on science. Eugene and Corvallis are the center of Oregon’s scientific community and deserve better from their representatives. I sincerely hope that Hoyle will take steps going forward to vote with fellow Democrats and vote with the facts.
Quintin Kreth
Junction City
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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