By Salem Reporter
Chance at having a home in Oregon could increase with legislative action
Paula Pena prepares to testify at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 4, about the need to control rent increases in Oregon. (Portland Tribune/Paris Achen) Salem resident Paula Pena often slips cash into her father’s wallet when he’s not looking. The…
Legislature takes on bullying and suicide in schools
(Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — Four days before Chloe Wilson took her life, the 14-year-old from Eugene was meeting with her legislators at the state Capitol, eager to push for more recognition of people with mental illnesses. She…
Lawmakers consider interstate marijuana commerce, banning employers from forcing workers to abstain from legal substances
Oregonians would no longer be compelled by employers to avoid off-duty use of marijuana under a proposal being considered at the Legislature. Legislators also are considering opening the door to exporting the state’s marijuana crop, which far exceeds demand in…
Hundreds take to the Capitol to support cap and trade
Oregonians from around the state rallied in front of the Capitol on Wednesday to support cap and trade. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Several hundred Oregonians braved the chilly weather and poor road conditions to voice their support for proposed cap and…
Fight to hike Oregon’s tobacco tax resurfaces
Smokers paying higher taxes would help buy health insurance for low-income Oregonians under a plan being advanced by Gov. Kate Brown. Brown is proposing tax increase of $2 a pack of cigarettes, currently taxed at $1.33. Backers say the increase…
PHOTOS: Snow blankets Salem, prompting school closures
Kids play in the snow at Aldrich Park in Salem on Feb. 5, 2019 (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) About two inches of snow fell on Salem overnight Tuesday, prompting local schools to close for the day. The Oregon Capitol…
AGENDA: Polk County Commission to review legislative priorities
The Polk County Courthouse. (Courtesy of Janet Guzman/Polk County Itemizer-Observer) This week’s Polk County Commission meeting should be brief. The meeting will start with a presentation from Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton, who will talk about his office’s legislative…
Oregon voters with no political party could finally get role in primary elections
SALEM — The growing bloc of Oregonians who don’t belong to any political party could have more say in elections under a new proposal from Secretary of State Dennis Richardson. Richardson got the idea from a former rival: Alan Zundel,…
Secretary of State Dennis Richardson further reduces workload amid cancer battle
A screenshot from Richardson’s latest health update video, posted to Facebook Dec. 13. Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson announced Monday he is further scaling back his workload to focus on treatment of his brain cancer. Richardson didn’t provide details…
Royal Scots may having losing record, but they have winning video
L.J. Allise, left, sings while Edson Suda, right, accompanies him on his ukelele in this scene from a video by Dean Sanderson, McKay boys basketball coach. The players of McKay High School’s boys basketball team settled in for the long…