By Lynne Terry – Oregon Capital Chronicle
Kotek names longtime Northwest educator, administrator to lead Department of Education
Charlene Williams, who will take over July 10 as interim director of the state Department of Education, would be the first Black woman overseeing Oregon’s 197 school districts.
Data breach could affect 3.5 million Oregonians
Hackers might have gained access to personal information of Oregon residents with driver’s licenses and state ID cards.
150 Oregon physicians caution Legislature against changing House Bill 2002 on abortion provisions
In a letter to lawmakers, doctors warned against watering down a bill which would let children younger than 15 obtain an abortion without parental consent. Democrats are considering softening the language to bring Republican Senators back to the Capitol.
Gov. Tina Kotek withdraws request for 50-cent surcharge on alcohol for mental health services
Kotek said a strong revenue forecast means Oregon no longer needs the money that would have come from doubling the tax on bottles of hard alcohol.
Bill to allow self-serve at gas stations advances
Oregon and New Jersey are the only states with self-service restrictions.
With Medicaid review underway, hundreds of callers a day give up on state’s helpline
State officials acknowledge call takers need more training, with at least one telling a member the wrong information – twice.
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission considers doubling tax on hard alcohol
Gov. Tina Kotek called for doubling the liquor surcharge to $1 a bottle, raising about $90 million over two years.
Resolution declaring shelter dogs, cats the state pet sailing through the Legislature
House Resolution 8, which would make shelter dogs and cats the state pet, passed the House with 58 bipartisan votes in favor, and is scheduled for discussion in the Senate on Thursday.
Kotek names interim director for the Oregon Health Authority
James Schroeder, CEO of Health Share of Oregon, has 20 years of clinical and executive health care experience.
Two statewide measures on slavery and legislative walkouts have passed in Oregon
Supporters behind a fourth measure that would tighten the state’s gun laws have also declared victory while a measure making health care a right is split.