By Salem Reporter
That cigarette pack could cost more under House-backed tax plan
SALEM — Oregon took a step closer Thursday to taxing e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. On a 39-21 vote, the House approved increasing the cigarette tax to $2 per pack, part of a change to the law that would also…
Governor puts Oregon State Police on trail of missing senators
Senate President Peter Courtney goes through motions of convening the Senate on Thursday, June 20, after Republican senators made good on their plan to abandon the Capitol. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Thursday called on…
Republican senators disappear from Capitol after negotiations over cap-and-trade flop
Protestors gather outside the Capitol, objecting to legislation that would impose limits on pollution and increase costs for some industry. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) UPDATE: Gov. Kate Brown directs Oregon State Police to return missing senators to the Capitol. The Senate…
With mere days left, Senate Republicans and Democrats are in a standoff over carbon pricing legislation
Loggers rally outside of the Capitol on Wednesday to protest cap and trade. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) SALEM — The Oregon Legislature is mere days away from having to close up shop. But uncertainty has permeated the Capitol for the past…
Nine state employees clicked on email and now 645,000 Oregonians could be vulnerable
SALEM — About 645,000 people could have had their personal information pilfered after a January breach at the Oregon Department of Human Services. The agency said Tuesday that it is providing a year of credit monitoring and an insurance…
Oregon House passes bill allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants
Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon, D-Woodburn, speaks in support of a bill to allow undocumented immigrants and others without proof of legal residence to get an Oregon driver’s license. (Claire Withycombe – Oregon Capitol Bureau) SALEM — The Oregon House Tuesday…
Senate Republicans threaten second walkout
Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr., R-Grants Pass, celebrates Senate President Peter Courtney’s 76th birthday on the Senate floor Tuesday. Minutes later, his office sent out a press release announcing the consideration of a walkout. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) Senate…
They dug into closets and drawers to find garb for Tie-Dye Dance Party
Contestants line up for judging at the Tie-Dye Dance Party at Center 50+ on June 14. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Salem Reporter) If you grew up watching “Sonny and Cher” and listening to the Bee Gees, you’d feel right at home at…
Cap and trade withstands a lengthy floor debate to pass the House
Rep. Karin Power, D-Milwaukie, carries House Bill 2020 on the floor Monday night. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) After months of committee hearings, House Republicans relished their final opportunity to pepper Democrats over their proposed legislation to cap greenhouse gas. They…
Lawmakers try to keep manufactured homes in the neighborhood
SALEM — Mobile homes weren’t built to last forever. But state legislators like Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, don’t want them to just go away. If you’re a mobile home owner who wants to replace your aging residence, you could apply…