National
■ Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association On Jan. 11, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case that could deliver a body blow to public sector unions: The court is being asked to rule that no public employee can be required to pay dues to a union, even though the union negotiates and enforces wages and workplace rights and enjoys majority support in the workplace.
■ Trans-Pacific Partnership vote President Obama gets to set the timetable for a ratification vote in Congress. The treaty is unpopular with the public, so judging by past tactics, the vote might be scheduled for the lame duck Congress after the November election.
■ Presidential election Hilary Clinton? Bernie Sanders? Donald Trump? One of them may win the November 2016 election, and for working people, it matters a lot: Presidents propose budgets, oversee enforcement of laws, and help shape the political climate.
Oregon
■ Minimum wage fight In its February short session, the Oregon Legislature will take up proposals to raise the minimum wage. If they fail to raise it, or raise it high enough, initiatives to raise it to $13.50 or $15 could vie for the November 2016 ballot.
■ Ballot measure bonanza Besides the minimum wage, dozens of initiatives have been filed for 2016, including proposals to raise corporate taxes, phase out coal-generated electricity, privatize liquor sales, repeal mandatory minimum sentencing laws, make English the official language, and establish universal healthcare. The campaigns vary widely in their resources; they’ll have until July 8 to gather signatures.
Portland
■ Gas tax for street maintenance Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick says he’ll push once again for more funds to tackle the city’s street maintenance backlog, this time with a proposal to raise the gas tax.
