By Salem Reporter
AGENDA: Polk County Commission to vote on relinquishing right over Buena Vista streets, renew contracts
The Polk County Courthouse. (Courtesy of Jolene Guzman/Polk County Itemizer-Observer) After a week off, the Polk County Commission is back to its normal work session and meeting schedule. At the Wednesday meeting, commissioners will vote on relinquishing rights to build…
Senate passes Measure 11 reform on slimmest of margins
Senators Floyd Prozanski and Jackie Winters embrace after Senate Bill 1008 passes. The two carried the bill on the Senate floor. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Juveniles charged with certain violent crimes could get a second chance under a reform to Measure…
Portland school board member no longer helping Secretary of State
Secretary of State Bev Clarno gives a speech at her swearing in April 3. Behind her, (middle) Nike lobbyist Julia Brim-Edwards looks on. Brim-Edwards orchestrated the press event as part of her volunteer position with the office. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital…
Lawmakers detail gas tax credit to offset cap and trade’s impact at the pump
Oregonians pushing cap and trade rally outside of the Capitol. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) For months, the conversation around Oregon’s proposed carbon program has revolved around how it will impact industrial polluters. On Monday, a public hearing focused on mitigating anticipated…
Rights group takes Oregon officials to court to force foster care improvements
SALEM — A new class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday accuses the state of inadequately protecting Oregon’s foster children. Ten foster children, representing the roughly 8,000 children in the state’s care, want a federal court to fix longstanding issues at the Oregon…
Oregon workers could get more leave, and paid, under proposed legislation
SALEM — Expectant mothers, marijuana users and caregivers for ailing relatives could all benefit from worker protections that legislators are scrambling to write into law this year. Advocates say that state law doesn’t go far enough to protect workers in…
“Music for people who are into music”: 105.5 The Moon brings quirky sound to Salem airwaves
Owner Sean Mulrooney poses in The Moon’s downtown broadcasting location. (Kaitlyn Wimmer/Chemeketa Courier) “We’re not a political station, we’re not a talk station, but we could do a lot with music, and that’s what we’ve chosen to do,” said Sean Mulrooney,…
Governor want to tap state funds to spare Oregon schools from retirement costs
SALEM — Two elements make budgeting a painful math exercise for the Umatilla School District: employee health benefits and retirement benefits. Right now, the eastern Oregon district pays about 8 percent of its budget, or $1.2 million, to the Oregon…
Billion-dollar business tax proposed for Oregon but small firms exempted
UPDATE: This story has been updated with additional details on the tax and comment from a key business group. SALEM — Oregonians could pay less on their state income taxes but pay more for some goods and services, under a…
Nicotine taxing bills face opposition from vaping and tobacco retailers
Of the handful of nicotine-related tax initiatives, Gov. Kate Brown’s proposed $2 a pack tax increase has gotten the most attention. However, a proposed vaping tax ended up being the hot-button issue when the proposals got public hearings this week.…