Women take on Bobcats
Planned Parenthood under attack
PSU women’s basketball heads into final three games of the season
Trusted resource could lose its federal funding
OPINION: PAGE 4
SPORTS: PAGE 12
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011
MEChA to host educational conference Event geared toward providing outreach to Latino high school students Sierra Pannabecker Vanguard staff
On Monday, Feb. 28, Portland State's MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan) chapter will host its seventh annual Educate Conference for Latino high school students from all over the state. The event—composed of workshops, a college fair and keynote speakers—is designed to empower Latino students. Roughly 350 high schools, from as far as Salem and Hood River, are involved with the event. MEChA ON PAGE 7
Aramark employees disgruntled with work environment Several Aramark employees say that food service provider treats its workers wrongfully Alison Barnwell Vanguard staff
Several Aramark employees have recently come forward to complain that their working conditions are shoddy and that the company intentionally disqualifies them from being eligible for health insurance. On Valentine’s Day this year, an employee of the Viking Food Court, who asked to remain anonymous, was told to stay late by her supervisor, Jonathan Proulx. She said that she agreed to stay late but then couldn’t because of plans with ARAMARK ON PAGE 7
Student reaches out to family members of prison inmates
Kitzhaber proposes increased investment in local film productions Opponents argue current tax credit program is inefficient, propose a direct funding model Vinh Tran Vanguard staff
Amid the announcement that television shows such as TNT’s “Leverage” and IFC’s “Portlandia” have committed to another season in Oregon, Director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCCP) Chuck Sheketoff is urging Legislature to end the current funding model for film and television productions in 2011. Sheketoff and his group are at odds with Governor John Kitzhaber, Portland Mayor Sam Adams and several film industry members, all of whom had expressed interest in increasing funding by 167 percent for movies and television shows shot in Oregon. Sheketoff suggested a direct funding model in which money would be distributed from the state’s General Fund instead of the current model, in which the state provides a $100 tax credit for every $90–$95 that a taxpayer donates to the Oregon Production Investment Fund. If Kitzhaber’s proposal is passed, the investment fund (which is set to expire this year) would be extended, and the tax credit program increased. In a recent paper put out by the OCPP, Sheketoff asked a simple question: Would you pay someone $100 to buy a $90 item for you? Several people involved in the film and television industry disagree with the OCPP.
Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Film and Television Vince Porter, whose job is to market Oregon to filmmakers, said the problem with a direct funding model is that it’s not as reliable due to the fluctuating budget. “When I have a conversation with filmmakers, we need to know what is available to offer them,” Porter said. “The current structure gives us the level
of certainty where, as under a direct funding model, we just don’t know what is available every year.” According to Sheketoff, Porter shouldn’t have any concerns because if the film industry brings in revenue to the state, it will continue to get funded. Otherwise, its budget would be cut. FILM ON PAGE 3
Portland Public Schools bond measure sparks student activism at PSU Jesse Hansen Vanguard staff
After enrolling in professor Sonja Young’s family studies class, Portland State student Joseph Boyd was inspired to help those who have experienced having family members in prison. Boyd knows the effect prison can have on an individual’s life. Although he wasn’t in prison himself, he had a mother who was incarcerated for eight years, starting from the time he was 16. Until recently, he never spoke about it. INCARCERATION ON PAGE 7
PPS ON PAGE 3
Christina J. Maggio Vanguard staff
PHOTO COURTESY THE GOVERNER'S OFFIC EOF FILM & TELEVISION/
Boosting Portland's film industry: Director and Executive Producer of "Leverage," a show filmed here in Portland, has utilized the tax credit program.
Students join local campaign
With a $548 million bond measure on the line, the Portlanders for Schools campaign has recently reached out to students at Portland State to recruit advocates. On May 17, Portland voters will decide on a halfbillion dollar bond measure intended to upgrade and refit the Portland Public Schools (PPS) system. The bond comes at a time when Oregon is demonstrating an inclination to disinvest in education, though that hasn’t stopped activism here at PSU. According to Student Leadership and Outreach Programs Adviser Amanda Newberg, Portlanders for Schools contacted her with an interest in disseminating information about the campaign to student groups. “Not only is this an amazing opportunity to get hands-on political organizing experience, but interns can simultaneously receive political science credit as well,” Newberg said.
Joseph Boyd develops workshop to raise awareness on the effects of incarceration
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School makeover: If the bond measure is passed, schools such as Grover Cleveland High School would be rennovated.