Category Government
State legislator accused of creating chaos at Capitol says House speaker is putting politics over safety
State Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence. (Courtesy/Freedom Foundation) A Salem area legislator who allowed a confrontational group of demonstrators into the Oregon Capitol has lashed out, saying he is being subject to “mob justice” by the House speaker. State Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, released a withering…
In response to community pressure, Salem City Council denounces white supremacy
A screengrab of the Salem City Council at it’s first meeting of the year 2021. After a push by Salem activists, the Salem City Council on Monday unanimously denounced white supremacy by name through a resolution passed Monday evening, following nearly an hour of public…
Salem’s plan to end camping at city parks will be a slow crawl, dependent on new shelter and organized camp
Flooding at Cascades Gateway Park on Dec. 21. (Courtesy/ Jean Hendron) Salem wants to phase out an emergency declaration that allowed homeless people to camp at two city parks, but first face a daunting task of finding a place for more than 1,000 people. The…
Oregon Congressman’s effort to dump one state’s presidential results rested on 10,000 votes never counted
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon. (FILE/The Enterprise) U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz met behind closed doors with his Republican colleagues in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 as President Trump implored Congress to overturn the presidential election. They huddled to consider the case for dismissing millions of…
Oregon’s only Republican in Congress opposes impeachment, expects Trump to be held ‘accountable’
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz ONTARIO – U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, the only Republican in Oregon’s Congressional delegation, said Saturday that he doesn’t think President Trump should resign or be impeached. He said he expects the president to be held accountable “in the proper way.” Bentz,…
Video shows Rep. Mike Nearman letting demonstrators into Capitol in Salem
Capitol surveillance footage shows state Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, allowing demonstrators into the building. (Screengrab.) A video released Friday shows state Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, allowing a confrontational group of demonstrators into the state Capitol during a special session last month. The release comes after…
Rep. Mike Nearman let demonstrators in Capitol during tense protest, House speaker says
Protesters fed up with pandemic restriction gathered outside the Capitol as lawmakers met on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) State Rep. Mike Nearman, a Republican legislator from Independence, allowed a confrontational group of demonstrators to enter the Capitol last month, endangering legislators and…
Bentz, Oregon’s only Republican congressman, acknowledges Biden win after opposing one state’s electors
Congressman Cliff Bentz talks with officers from the Capitol police after insurrectionists were cleared from the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Bentz condemned the intrusion. (Office of U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz) Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz said early Thursday he accepted the election of Joe…
Insurrection at nation’s capital draws strong local reactions
Sen. Peter Courtney, D-Salem and House Speaker Tina Kotek D-Portland speak during a joint-committee work session at a one-day special session at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, August 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem’s elected leaders condemned the violent unrest at the nation’s capital Wednesday…