Category Legislature
New amendments to cap and trade bill borrow from Republicans, Timber Unity
SALEM — Lawmakers revealed on Wednesday changes to the plan to cut back on the state’s greenhouse gas emissions that would ease the impact on rural Oregon and adopt elements proposed by Timber Unity. The revisions are part of the continuing effort of Democratic sponsors…
Climate activists swarm Capitol in support of cap and trade legislation
Activists pack the steps of the Oregon State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to show support for a cap and trade bill being considered by lawmakers. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — Activists seeking to clean Oregon’s environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions turned out…
Why one bill seeks to put more state troopers on Oregon’s highways
An Oregon State Police car (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons). Parts of Oregon with sparse police presence could see more state troopers on the highway under a bill advancing through the Legislature. If passed, Senate Bill 1545 would put hundreds more state troopers on the state’s highways over…
Climate activists will rally, march Tuesday at state Capitol
Young people hold signs during a climate strike at the state Capitol last year. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) SALEM — An Oregon environmental group expects about 1,000 people to descend on the Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 11, to urge lawmakers to pass legislation addressing climate change, a…
Impassioned testimony highlights Oregon hearing on gun storage bill
Rabbi Michael Cahana of Portland’s Congregation Beth Israel testifies in favor of a safe gun storage proposal during a hearing at the Capitol Friday, Feb. 7, on behalf of interfaith nonprofit organization Life Every Voice Oregon. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) Lawmakers on the House judiciary…
People who can’t pay traffic fines lose their license and get stuck in poverty. Legislation seeks to change that.
The House Judiciary Committee hears testimony on a bill that would end the practice of suspending people’s licenses because of unpaid fines. (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) Angela Donley sat in front of a legislative panel on Wednesday and told the story of why her mother driver’s…
Legislators consider throttling back ambition to fix wildfire issues in short session
Ed Keith (left), Deschutes County forester; Phil Henderson, Deschutes County commissioner; and Nick Lelack, Deschutes County community development coordinator, share concerns about a wildfire bill in a Feb. 5 hearing. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM – Drastically improving the way Oregon fights wildfire could be…
After struggling with a stubborn homelessness problem, Salem sees relief in housing legislation
Tents line the boulevard next to The ARCHES Project in downtown, where homeless residents have congregated before the city’s camping ban. SOURCE: (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) House Speaker Tina Kotek wants to ease the state’s housing and homelessness problems with $120 million to enforce fair housing…
Hundreds to descend on Capitol in demonstration against cap and trade bill
Timber Unity supporters and other opponents rally against House Bill 2020 on June 27. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) SALEM – Activists from across Oregon will gather in Salem Thursday as they attempt to break a world record for the largest truck convoy while also aiming to…