By Salem Reporter
Late amendments being discussed on cap and trade, as the massive proposal hits turbulence
Rep. Karin Power, Milwaukie, and Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, talk during a rally supporting cap and trade. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) SALEM — For months, lawmakers pushing a major environmental plan that would put a price on carbon emissions, spent a remarkable…
Lawmakers reconsidering suspending licenses for drivers with unpaid tickets
SALEM — Oregon lawmakers are considering putting a stop to license suspensions for drivers who don’t pay fines for certain traffic tickets. Every year, thousands of Oregon drivers get tickets for non-criminal traffic offenses. Suspending licenses for unpaid fines unfairly…
DOME DIGEST: Straw ban, revenge porn and DNA testing
SALEM — These bills might not make headlines, but they may make a difference to Oregonians all the same. Each of these bills passed their last hurdle this week and now head next to Gov. Kate Brown for her signature. …
Democrats face angry union members after tough vote to cut pensions
SALEM — Last week, 31 Democrats voted to cut into benefits promised to public employees in what was likely their toughest vote of the 2019 legislative session, if not their career. It prompted 17 to file public explanations for why…
Stunning craftwork, music of India featured at World Beat Gallery
Dr. Pritam Rohila and Bahdur Singh light a candle to open ceremonies on Wednesday. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter) A red and gold dragon made its way down Liberty Street. No reason for alarm. It was just Zach Swanson…
Salem, you’re close to leaving your clocks alone
SALEM — A proposal to put Oregon on year-round Daylight Saving Time passed the House Thursday, and now the only hurdles to the change are outside the state. Senate Bill 320, which passed 37-20, now goes to Gov. Kate Brown.…
Political campaigns in Oregon could change under reforms facing legislative vote
SALEM — Following the 2020 election, for the first time in more than 20 years, people could see limits on the amount of money they’re allowed to donate to candidates for state and local office in Oregon. Oregon is one…
Legislature endorses Oregon’s move to national popular vote
Oregon is on its way to joining a movement to ignore the Electoral College in favor of the popular vote in presidential elections. Senate Bill 870 passed the House 37-22 on Wednesday after passing the Senate nearly two months ago.…
Oregon’s foster care system remains in crisis, $1 million consultants brought in
SALEM — A year and a half ago, state watchdogs said the system overseeing care for foster kids was in dire need of improvement. They urged immediate improvements, but a new report released by state auditors Wednesday said the state…
Movement is slow to improve Oregon’s response to wildfires
A field burns through a ranch during the 2015 fire season (Courtesy Oregon Department of Forestry Flickr) SALEM — Saturday marked the official start of Oregon’s wildfire season, but without new resources the state is only incrementally more prepared to…