Category Legislature
Republican senators sue Oregon Senate president, secretary of state over absences
A new federal lawsuit joins an ongoing state case from Republican senators who want to run for reelection.
Oregon Supreme Court will hear lawsuit from Senate Republicans who walked out
Five senators who walked out of the 2023 legislative session argue that a voter-approved law that aimed to bar them from reelection wasn’t written clearly.
Legislative committee dismisses complaints by Republican state senators over walkout
One of the Republicans who filed a complaint about the handling of excused absences, Sen. Lynn Findley, called the Senate president a “dictator” and called the committee process a “sham.”
Oregon lawmakers prep to tackle drug addiction in 2024 session
A new committee will meet next week for the first time as lawmakers start to look for solutions to Oregon’s drug addiction crisis.
New Oregon House GOP leader Helfrich seeks unity, pragmatic solutions
Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, takes over for Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville.
Lawmakers return to Salem for meetings on homelessness, addiction and more
A series of legislative meetings this week will preview major issues facing Oregon for the 2025 session, including behavioral health, housing, tolling and the Pac-12 shakeup.
Gov. Kotek signs abortion and hospital staffing bills
Gov. Tina Kotek has signed House Bill 2002, which shores up access to abortions and gender-affirming health care. The bill was a key driver of the Senate Republicans walkout.
Secretary of state will disqualify legislators with 10 unexcused absences from running in 2024
Senators deemed ineligible for re-election following a Republican-led walkout include Sen. Kim Thatcher of Keizer, who represents north Salem.
Impeachment, elected official pay, ranked-choice voting: Lawmakers left big questions to voters
Oregon legislators referred three proposed laws to the state's voters next November. More could be coming with citizen initiatives.