Half of Salem and Keizer neighborhoods are not affordable for renters as rents have climbed faster than inflation over the past five years, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data. In neighborhoods across central, north and east Salem, a renter earning the neighborhood’s median income spends more than 30 percent[Read More…]
By Salem Reporter
Auditors hope opioid findings will light fire under Oregon legislators
SALEM — Oregon is collecting valuable information about opioid prescribers and their patients but state law hamstrings using the system to confront drug abuse, state auditors said Tuesday. Oregon, like all other states, collects information on prescriptions for controlled substances like Oxycodone and Percocet. But Oregon’s program has little teeth,[Read More…]
Oregon labor commissioner rushes employers to digest new pay rules
Workers across Oregon could receive pay raises under the state’s unique pay equity law that goes into force Jan. 1, but state officials have been late directing employers how to obey. Oregon lawmakers in May 2017 passed one of the most comprehensive pay equity laws in the nation, expanding protections[Read More…]
Audit finds Oregon keeps vital opioid information under wraps
SALEM — Oregon is collecting valuable information about opioid prescribers and their patients but state law hamstrings using the system to confront drug abuse, state auditors said Tuesday. Oregon, like all other states, collects information on prescriptions for controlled substances like Oxycodone and Percocet. But Oregon’s program has little teeth,[Read More…]
Courtney hopes to temper politics in Oregon’s Legislature
Senate President Peter Courtney seeks political civility in the approaching session of the Oregon Legislature. (Portland Tribune/Jaime Valdez) SALEM — Peter Courtney is worried. His party is in power. He’s been nominated yet again for Senate president. In Gov. Kate Brown, he’s working with an experienced Democratic governor. You’d think[Read More…]
Column: Salem Reporter journalists do our best work by partnering with you
Education reporter Rachel Alexander (Moriah Ratner/Special to Salem Reporter) Editor’s note: This is the second of a continuing series of personal columns from the staff of Salem Reporter to the community explaining how we perform our journalism. When I introduce myself to Salem-Keizer parents, there’s sometimes a moment of surprise.[Read More…]
Rural interests get funding in proposed Oregon budget
SALEM — On the campaign trail, Gov. Kate Brown was eager to tell voters she would represent all regions of the state. “I’m the only candidate in this race with a track record of bringing Republicans and Democrats together, urban and rural Oregonians together, to tackle the problems facing Oregon,”[Read More…]
State police poised for more troopers, filling gaps around Oregon
Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton flips through charts and graphs showing the impacts of OSP’s short staffing. In 2017, the agency was unable to respond to 11,880 calls for service due to staffing levels. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) For 26 years, Travis Hampton worked out of patrol offices for Oregon[Read More…]
Leaving office, Janet Carlson hopes to see continued push to help Marion County homeless
Outgoing county commissioner Janet Carlson has spent 16 years in office focused on helping people get a second change after coming out of jail. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Janet Carlson’s office is lined with a stack of plastic tubs, carefully labeled by topic. The outgoing Marion County commissioner describes it as[Read More…]
Oregon may reach deeper into wallets to fund government expansion
SALEM — Thousands of Oregonians could see more money taken out of their paychecks and companies would be writing bigger checks to fund Gov. Kate Brown’s proposed budget and revamp the state’s education system. Brown needs to find $2.6 billion more than is already being paid in state taxes to[Read More…]
