Category Legislature
Judge rejects Sen. Brian Boquist’s public records lawsuit
Sen. Brian Boquist reflects on his political and military careers at his Dallas farm. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Senate President Peter Courtney and legislative employees didn’t improperly withhold public records requested by state Sen. Brian Boquist, a Marion County Circuit Court judge has determined. The judge’s…
Quiet start to legislative session, but tensions simmer just below surface
Cap and trade architect Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, explains how he’s attempted to craft his legislation to overcome Republican opposition. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — A contentious proposal to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions dominated political chatter in the weeks before the 2020…
Sen. Peter Courtney introduces a bill to take into account the delayed effects of alcohol and a court ruling
Public safety – standing graphic Drivers who have at least 0.08% blood alcohol content two hours after getting behind the wheel would still face driving under the influence charges under legislation introduced by Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem. Courtney said Senate Bill 1503 addresses an Oregon…
Why a bill intended to avoid a legally messy election season has one campaign finance advocate worried
The Oregon Capitol (Salem Reporter archives) Rep. Dan Rayfield, D- Corvallis, wants to keep the campaign field for candidates level this year as courts and legislators untangle campaign finance reforms but he wants to short circuit a voter-approved measure to do that. Dan Meek, a…
Here is the legislation lawmakers from Marion and Polk counties have sponsored
Oregon State Capitol (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Legislators from Marion and Polk counties are seeking changes in state law concerning mask-wearing rioters, a plant from southeast Asia, helping laid-off agricultural workers and uncompensated college athletes, as well as technical fixes to laws sought by…
Businesses voice support for cap and trade in west coast states
Oregon State Capitol, rotunda (Salem Reporter/file) SALEM — As Oregon lawmakers prepare to meet for the month-long session that starts next week, Democrats’ effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions is getting a public nudge from business. Twenty-one companies and two health care climate alliances in…
Bill would add penalties for wearing a mask while rioting
An anti-fascist counterprotester at a Patriot Prayer rally. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) Rioters who conceal their faces with masks would face increased penalties under a bill that’ll be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by Rep. Sherrie Sprenger, R-Scio, the bill is aimed at the “alarming…
From guns to wildfires, legislators heading to Salem soon to push changes
Oregon State Capitol (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — Legislators will roll up their sleeves for some speedy politicking in February, tackling some of Oregon’s thorniest problems. When they gather for the month-long legislative session, legislators want to improve the state’s care for people…
As Democrats resurrect carbon bill, Republicans leave all options on the table — including another walkout
Oregon State Capitol FILE (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) SALEM — One question has lingered in political circles in the days since Democratic legislators unveiled their latest plan to limit the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. What do the Republicans think? The GOP holds a shrinking share of…