Twelve well-known Oregonians in fields such as labor, law, and health care were chosen by Oregon Attorney General-elect Dan Rayfield to serve as advisors to his office as it attempts to protect Oregon policies against possible threats from the incoming Trump administration.
Rayfield, who will be taking office in January, named the Federal Oversight and Accountability cabinet members on Thursday. President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House coincides with the cabinet’s creation, raising worries about possible effects on issues including immigration, access to reproductive health care, and laxer environmental laws.
According to Rayfield, the heads of the cabinet will support collaboration between the Oregon communities and the Oregon Department of Justice in defending against possible federal repercussions.
In a statement, Rayfield said, “We need to be proactive in our outreach efforts and strive to protect the interests and values of Oregonians in an uncertain time.” The Federal Oversight and Accountability Cabinet’s leaders establish a vital link between the work we perform at the Oregon Department of Justice to protect all Oregonians and what is taking place in communities around our state.
Joe Baessler, executive director of Oregon AFSCME; Sandy Chung, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon; Greg Dotson, professor at the University of Oregon School of Law; Julie Hanna, associate vice president of government affairs at Oregon Health & Science University; Dr. Sara Kennedy, CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette; Kyndall Mason, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon; Isa Pe a, director of strategy at the Innovation Law Lab; Jeremiah Rigsby, chief of staff at the Medicaid insurer CareOregon; Lindsey Scholten, executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters; Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO; Melissa Unger, executive director of SEIU 503; and Norman Williams, professor at Willamette University College of Law.
Additionally, Rayfield selected Dustin Buehler to lead the department’s federal accountability efforts as a special counsel in the executive office. At the Oregon Department of Justice, Buehler presently serves as attorney-in-charge of civil appeals, representing the state in cases before both state and federal courts. He served as Kate Brown’s general lawyer as well.
Alongside Buehler, Fay Stetz-Waters will continue to head the Federal Oversight and Accountability Cabinet’s work as director of social justice and civil rights. Since 2019, Stetz-Waters has held the position.
— Oregon Capital Chronicle’s Ben Botkin
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