SCAM ALERT: Deceptive Business Mailing

Published on February 7, 2013 in business fraud, business scam, Corporation, Headlines, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 7, 2013

SALEM – Secretary of State Kate Brown is warning Oregon companies to be on the alert for a mailing that deceptively looks like it is from the Oregon Corporation Division.

A number of businesses have reported receiving an official-looking invoice entitled, “Compliance Filings Center – Annual Minutes Compliance Notice.” The mailing requests detailed information about the business and a $150 “Certificate of Minutes” preparation fee. The invoice lists a return address of 4676 Commercial Street SE, #169, Salem, OR 97302.

An example of the scam is posted on the Secretary of State website.

Despite its appearance, this invoice was NOT sent by the Secretary of State’s Corporation Division and is not authorized by the State of Oregon. While the invoice contains references to Oregon business law, businesses receiving this mailing are advised that they can prepare annual minutes and corporate records themselves without paying this fee.

Secretary of State Brown recommends carefully reading solicitations to determine if they are actually from a government agency and require a response. Some deceptive solicitations from private organizations are difficult to distinguish from government correspondence at first glance. Only a careful reading reveals a disclaimer noting that the organization is not government affiliated.

The Oregon Business Corporations Act requirements for Annual Meetings and Corporate Records are available on the Corporation Division’s website at: www.FilingInOregon.com. Corporations needing legal advice on corporate records requirements should contact a licensed attorney.

For more information, contact:

Tony Green
Director of Communications
Oregon Secretary of State
503-507-0082
tony.green@state.or.us

Audit Finds Opportunities to Increase Adult GEDs

Published on February 6, 2013 in Audits, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Press Release
February 6, 2013

SALEM – An audit released today recommends opportunities to increase the number of adults who earn General Education Development (GED) credentials to help achieve the state’s goal of ensuring that all adult Oregonians earn at least a high school diploma or equivalent by 2025.

“The GED certification provides adults the chance to be more competitive in Oregon’s changing workforce and to continue on to higher education,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “It is critical that we do all that we can to assist Oregonians in obtaining the education they need to thrive in today’s economy.”

Making Oregon more competitive in an increasingly service- and information-based economy led business leaders and policymakers to institute a statewide educational goal that emphasizes preparing students to succeed in post-secondary education. In 2011, the Oregon Legislative Assembly set the following goals to be achieved by 2025:

  • At least 40% of adult Oregonians have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
  • At least 40% of adult Oregonians have earned an associate’s degree or post-secondary credential as their highest level of educational attainment.
  • The remaining 20% of all adult Oregonians have earned a high school diploma, an extended or modified high school diploma, or the equivalent of a high school diploma as their highest level of education attainment.

Census numbers show that Oregonians without a high school diploma or equivalent have an unemployment rate of 15.6%, well more than double the 6.3% rate of Oregonians with a bachelor’s degree or greater. Auditors found that current strategies aimed at implementing Oregon’s 40-40-20 education goal do not sufficiently address the needs of the nearly 340,000 adult Oregonians who are currently without a high school diploma or equivalent. High schools do not routinely share with Oregon’s 17 community colleges or other organizations any information about students who recently dropped out. With this information, community colleges could attempt to contact former students about GED preparatory programs and the exam. Instead, many community colleges largely rely on traditional marketing and outreach efforts such as distributing flyers or including GED class information in course catalogs and college websites. There also is little statewide marketing effort to publicize the value of adults obtaining a GED credential.

Additional marketing and outreach practices could increase public awareness about the value of a GED.

In addition, better collaboration with other agencies and organizations can help ensure clients needing a GED credential are referred to local programs. Auditors also noted that funding to community colleges for GED preparation has been curtailed in recent years.

“We see the valuable role that community colleges play in helping adults obtain a GED,” said Gary Blackmer, the Oregon Audits Division Director. “We also found a number of strategies that could address this gap in our education system.”

The report can be found at www.sos.state.or.us/audits.

The audit team included William Garber, CGFM, MPA, Deputy Director; Sheronne Blasi, MPA, Audit Manager; and Nicole Pexton, MPP, Staff Auditor.

The Audits Division of the Oregon Secretary of State’s office promotes the wise use of tax dollars, sound management and government accountability.

For more information, contact

Tony Green, Director of Communications
Oregon Secretary of State
503-507-0082
tony.green@state.or.us

Secretary of State Kate Brown Sworn in as Secretary of State

Published on January 4, 2013 in Elections, Headlines, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

January 4, 2013

Salem – Secretary Brown gave brief remarks after her swearing in, thanking Gov. Roberts, Gov. Kulongoski, Gov. Kitzhaber and her family for their support. She also detailed key accomplishments and her plans for the next four years.

“In 2008, I told Oregonians that I would be their watchdog; find savings and efficiencies in state government; fight fraud in Oregon’s in initiative process; and personally engage

Oregonians on their right to vote,” said Secretary Brown. “That is exactly what my team and I have done and more. In the next four years we will continue to build upon our accomplishments, continuing to ensure our tax dollars are managed with greater transparency and accountability, ensuring businesses can thrive and create jobs here in Oregon and defending every eligible Oregonian’s right to vote, especially those whose voices are underrepresented.”

The ceremony took place in the House chamber at the State Capitol. Gov. Kitzhaber administered the oath to Secretary Brown, Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian.

Governor Kitzhaber swears in Secretary of State Kate Brown

Gov Kitzhaber swears in Sec Brown

Brown was elected to her second four-year term as Secretary of State on November 6, 2012.

Oregon Governor Sustainability Winners Honored at Northwest Environmental Conference

Published on December 4, 2012 in Corporation, Headlines, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

PORTLAND – Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown and the Oregon Sustainability Board will honor five Oregon companies for their commitment to sustainable business practices at the NEBC/AOI Northwest Environmental Conference & Tradeshow on December 4.

This year’s winners of the Governor’s Sustainability Awards are: Grand Champions – Mountain Rose Herbs and Hopworks Urban Brewery; Technology Award – EasyStreet Online Services; Manufacturing Award – Oregon Iron Works; and Rising Star – Bridgetown Natural Foods.

“The winners truly represent the best Oregon has to offer in sustainable business practices,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “We can all learn so much from these companies, as we continue to rebuild Oregon’s economy.”

The 24th NEBC/AOI annual conference is the Northwest’s largest and most comprehensive environmentally focused conference and trade show and will highlight such issues as: environmental protection and compliance; resource and operational efficiencies; health and safety practices; sustainability programs; product standards; and environmental economics.

In 2006, then Governor Ted Kulongoski issued an Executive Order directed the then Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) [now known as Business Oregon] to establish an awards program to promote and advance the inclusion of sustainable practices in government and the private sector.

More on the 2012 Oregon Sustainability Award Winners:

Mountain Rose Herbs

Mountain Rose Herbs has been known for its uncompromising commitment to organic agriculture, sustainable business practices, and a steadfast focus on the pure aesthetics and freshness of botanical products. Their wide range of certified organic product offerings includes bulk herbs and spices, aromatherapy and essential oils, tea and tea supplies, and natural health and body care. Every aspect of product creation is carried out in accordance with strict quality control and organic handling procedures by employees who care. The company employs numerous energy efficiency measures including a lighting program that has reduced electricity usage for lighting by more than 40%. It is also enrolled in EWEB’s Greenpower program to cover all electricity use, and purchases carbon offsets for all aspects of company operations including shipping, travel and operations.

Hopworks Urban Brewery

Hopworks Urban Brewery and Hopworks BikeBar are Portland’s first Eco-Brewpubs. Its stated mission is to “produce world-class beer and food as sustainably as possible. The brewery offers handcrafted organic beers and fresh, local ingredients, all served in sustainably-built and operated buildings with a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Hopworks incorporates many aspects of sustainability: from composting to rain barrels, and from pervious pavers to hand dryers. Hopworks brewery is 100% renewably powered and “cradle to gate” carbon neutral. The company has purchased BEF Water Restoration Credits for more water than their facilities use and is working towards a zero landfill goal. Currently, less than 10% of waste is sent to landfills.

EasyStreet Online Services

EasyStreet is Oregon’s locally-headquartered enterprise-class IT Services provider. EasyStreet helps its customers integrate Cloud, colocation, Internet connectivity and related services to create the flexible computing infrastructure that meets their needs. The company buys offsets for 100% of the electricity, water and natural gas it consumes in its data centers — resulting in zero carbon footprint operations. Its innovative cooling systems that significantly reduce energy consumption that allow data center to save over 1.5 million kWh per year.

Oregon Iron Works

Oregon Iron Works, Inc. (OIW) is a world-class metal fabricator headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon with factories in Oregon and Washington. Founded in 1944, we have an exceptional history and success in both commercial and government contract work. OIW specializes in mechanical and electrical integration and complex fabrication across diverse industries. The company implemented significant energy efficiency upgrades to lighting, HVAC and process machinery. EE upgrades have saved them over 1.6 million kWh and over $100,000 per year. It also installed a 30.8 kWh solar PV array and is planning to add 300% more solar within the next year.

Bridgetown Natural Foods

Bridgetown Natural Foods is an emerging, fast-growing contract manufacturer of all-natural, organic, kosher and gluten-free healthy snack products. The company has an 110,000-square-foot facility in Portland’s Lents neighborhood. Bridgetown currently is working toward becoming a zero-waste-to-landfill operation. The company sells unusable food product/waste to local hog farmers, refurbishes used equipment in-house and has implemented energy efficiency measures in lighting, process machinery and facility cooling.

For more information, please refer to http://www.sustainableoregon.net or contact Andrea Cantu-Schomus (503) 986-2368 or Mark Brady (503) 689-5638.

 

Indictment in Clackamas Co Ballot Altering Case Results from Investigation Initiated by Sec of State Kate Brown

Published on November 29, 2012 in Elections, general election, Headlines, Press Releases and Uncategorized. 6 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Salem – After Secretary of State Kate Brown requested an investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice, 55-year-old Deanna Swenson was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday, November 28 in Clackamas County on two counts of unlawfully altering a cast ballot and two counts of unlawfully voting more than once, both Class C felonies. Swenson also faces two counts of first-degree official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor. While attempts at voter fraud have been extremely rare under Oregon’s tightly regulated vote-by-mail system, Secretary Brown is taking steps to ensure that this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and won’t be repeated.

“We have zero tolerance for voter fraud in Oregon,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “Security procedures are in place to detect this kind of conduct. The system worked and no person’s ballot was impacted. Oregonians can be confident in their election results.”

Every year, county elections officials submit security plans to the Secretary of State’s office for review. In this case, the Clackamas County security plan was followed, the state elections office was notified of irregularities right away, and the Secretary of State asked the Department of Justice to start an investigation immediately.

In order to ensure that local election results would not be affected while this matter was resolved, on November 2, 2012, Secretary Brown assigned Deputy Director of Elections Brenda Bayes and retired elections manager Fred Neal to Clackamas County to oversee ballot processing by the Clackamas County Elections Division. Oregon State Police officers were also assigned to oversee the process.

Secretary Brown Statement on the Status of Clackamas County Ballot Fraud Investigation

Published on November 6, 2012 in Elections, general election, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

Salem, Ore – Secretary of State Kate Brown today issued the statement below to provide an update of the investigation in Clackamas County and to correct information that reportedly was shared at yesterday’s emergency commission meeting in Clackamas County.

“To date, Clackamas County, under supervision of my elections monitors, has identified six ballots that were potentially altered by the accused temporary county elections employee.   The total number of ballots potentially affected is still under investigation by the Department of Justice.

“For all potentially altered ballots, Clackamas County elections officials will determine whether or not the original voter intent can be established.  If the original voter intent can be established, the ballot will be counted to reflect what the original voter marked.

“Voter intent will be determined by Clackamas County officials, but will be overseen by my two elections monitors, Brenda Bayes and Fred Neal who bring a combined 30 years of election experience.

“This is different information than was reported in the media yesterday.  Media reported that Clackamas County officials shared that all potentially altered ballots would not be counted.  This was inaccurate.”

Secretary Brown Expands Team Overseeing Clackamas County Elections Division

Published on November 4, 2012 in Elections, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

Salem, Ore – Secretary of State Kate Brown today announced that she is sending Brenda Bayes, the deputy director for elections in Oregon, to oversee ballot processing by the Clackamas County Elections Division.

Bayes joins Fred Neal, who Brown assigned to Clackamas County last week, to serve as an elections monitor.  Both Bayes and Neal bring more than 30 years of experience in elections.

Bayes and Neal, in addition to the private security guard and state trooper assigned to oversee access to the building, all are under Brown’s directive to ensure the security of elections in Clackamas County.

“Voters and Clackamas County elections officials need to know that we are keeping a very close eye on the processing of ballots.

“The team I have in place, together with the investigators from the Oregon Department of Justice, are working to ensure the integrity, transparency and accountability of this election in Clackamas County.”

Secretary Brown Statement on the Investigation of the Clackamas County Elections Office

Published on November 3, 2012 in Elections, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Salem, Ore  – Secretary of State Kate Brown today issued the statement below following her request that the Oregon Department of Justice investigate allegations of ballot fraud at the Clackamas County Elections Office.

“We are taking the situation in Clackamas County very seriously.  It is extremely troubling that they have a county election employee accused of ballot fraud.

“Following the report of ballot fraud, I personally spoke with the Attorney General to emphasize the seriousness of the offense and my desire to see that this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“While it is Clackamas County’s job to run the elections, it is my responsibility to ensure the integrity, transparency and accountability of the election.  I have assigned an elections monitor to oversee ballot processing.  This includes a review of every one of the ballots the accused had access to.

“We will be keeping a close eye on the county in how it is conducting the election and commit to sharing information with the public as we are legally able to share it.”

Missing equipment and questionable purchases in Mt. Hood Community College’s wilderness program

Published on October 29, 2012 in Audits and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

SALEM – A Secretary of State investigation of Mt. Hood Community College’s (MHCC) wilderness leadership program inventory identified missing equipment and questionable reimbursements. MHCC had already initiated an internal investigation, but asked the Secretary of State’s Audits Division for assistance.

Using MHCC purchase records, auditors identified about $13,000 in equipment that was missing from campus.  Among those missing purchases, about $1,500 appeared to match personal gear requested by students. However, the college did not receive reimbursement for personal gear purchases even though emails indicated some students may have directly reimbursed instructors.

Auditors also noted instances of travel and purchase reimbursements that were in excess of the per diem rate, appeared contrary to policies, lacked sufficient detail, gave personal rewards benefits that may violate state policies, and paid instructors for purchases paid by a MHCC credit card. Secretary Brown has also submitted the report to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for possible ethics violations.

“I appreciate the college’s cooperation with this investigation. Everyone involved cares very much about accounting for every taxpayer dollar,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “With these recommendations implemented and strong oversight by college administration, we expect this won’t happen again.”

In addition to issues in the one program, there were allegations about faculty or administrative staff complaints not being handled timely.  Auditors noted college personnel had been addressing complaints though could improve its tracking of complaints and actions taken on those complaints.

Auditors recommended MHCC develop or update policies over inventory, purchase card use, travel reimbursement, and grant reimbursements. In addition, auditors recommend maintaining a central listing of faculty and staff complaints and the actions taken.

The report, including the agency response, can be found at www.sos.state.or.us/audits.

If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste, or abuse affecting state funds or resources, call 1-800-336-8218. Professional operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or report online at http://fraud.oregon.gov . Any person reporting such acts shall remain anonymous.

Tell your friends every vote counts with this Oregon “i voted” sticker

Published on October 28, 2012 in Elections, general election, HAVA, Headlines, Social Media and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Because your vote is your voice and every voice matters…

Here in Oregon we vote by mail, but that doesn’t mean you can’t proudly wear an “i voted” sticker. Check out this custom digital sticker. It lasts longer than the one-use stickers of times past and won’t clash with your outfit, at least not if you use it as your social media profile photo.Post this "i voted" sticker as your social media profile photo!

Here is how it works. After you vote, post this free digital sticker as your profile photo on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, your blog, and LinkedIn – wherever you spend time or have connections. Use this sticker to let people know you’ve voted. Poke friends and family and remind them to vote too!

Visit Every Vote Counts for complete instructions and to download the “i voted” sticker. And please spread the word!

Oregon is a leader in voter turnout and is consistently in the top 10 nationally. Our vote-by-mail system is unlike any other system in the nation. It is cost effective, secure and accessible to everyone from downtown Portland to the rural routes of Malheur County.

Remember, voters have until November 6 at 8 p.m. to get their ballots turned in. Ballots must arrive in the mail by 11/6, or else be deposited in a secure drop box. Locate a drop site near you.