By Salem Reporter
Oregon collecting more marijuana tax money than expected
SALEM — Oregonians are buying more legal pot than expected. That means they are also poised to pay more taxes on it — about $12.5 million more in the current budget than state economists projected several months ago. The average…
Freedom Foundation takes its latest shot at Oregon unions
A conservative think tank is suing two Oregon labor unions, saying they are collecting union dues in violation of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last June. The class-action lawsuit, Anderson et al. v. SEIU et al, was filed Wednesday in…
Paul Evans and Selma Pierce battled it out in one of Oregon’s most contentious races, in a district both parties will continue to fight for
Rep. Paul Evans plays a campaign commercial on his phone in his Capitol office. Evans made the commercial in response to attack ads from his opponent, Selma Pierce. The commercial is from the perspective of his dog, Beau, to set…
Legislative staffer, local accountant added to citizens examining Salem-Keizer budget
Members of the Salem-Keizer school board listen to testimony during a Nov. 13, 2018, meeting. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A bilingual chief of staff in the Oregon Legislature and a West Salem accountant will be among the citizens with a voice…
ODOT will expand use of salt on dangerous winter roads
Oregon Department of Transportation vehicles plow snow on Interstate 5 (Courtesy/ODOT) SALEM — Chance of snow? Expect a sprinkling of salt too. On the first eleven miles of Interstate 5 north of the California border, the average number of winter…
Oregon officials call for changes to law on criminal insanity
Oregon’s attorney general said the number of people deemed criminally insane who commit new crimes after their release is “definitely too high” and must be addressed by the state. She was “surprised” by the frequency of crimes, often violent, documented…
Oregon secretary of state privately shares dire medical news with leaders
Secretary of State Dennis Richardson privately notified top Oregon officials earlier this summer that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and fatal form of cancer, according to two state executives. The Republican from Central Point is first in…
Oregon governor stops bid to raise alcohol taxes
SALEM — Tax hikes on beer, cider and wine are “off the table,” Gov. Kate Brown said Friday. The Oregon Health Authority wanted to increase taxes on beer, wine and cider by 10 percent, which officials said could raise nearly…
Salem-Keizer recruiting bus drivers
Alan Booth inspects his bus’ lights before starting his morning route. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Alan Booth is now used to no one knowing his name at work. “Bus driver! Can you turn the heater off?” The question was yelled out…
Economists say you’re sending an extra $1 billion into Oregon’s treasury
SALEM — Taxpayers and lottery patrons are pouring millions of extra dollars into state coffers. By the end of the current budget cycle, state economists say, the state will tuck $1 billion more into its treasury than forecast 18 months…