Category Government
House Democrats try legal force to drag Republicans back to Capitol
House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, and Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, explain to reporters at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 27, why they decided to issue subpoenas to state representatives boycotting the current legislative session. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — Democrats in the Oregon House…
State Senator Shemia Fagan enters race for Oregon Secretary of State
Sen. Shemia Fagan, D-Portland, speaks to climate action protestors during a rally on the Capitol steps Tuesday over the Republican walkout. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) Salem, OR — Another Democrat has entered the crowded race to become Oregon’s next Secretary of State. On Thursday morning,…
As Republican walkout enters day 3, both sides dig in their heels
Seats in the Oregon House of Representatives remain vacant during a Republican boycott of the legislative session. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau). SALEM — With Republican legislators absent from the Capitol for the third day over a proposal to reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions, Democrats in…
Salem councilor tries to find middle ground in sit-lie but some service providers are dubious
An idea to bridge the divide between protecting an area that the city has spent millions investing in and humanely treating the homeless in Salem may have come in the throes of an illness. Councilor Cara Kaser got sick after the Salem City Council’s Feb.…
Oregon waits as game of political poker plays out at the Capitol
State Rep. Cheri Helt, a Republican from Bend, was the lone member of her party to show up for a floor session in the Oregon House on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The walkout by her colleagues echoed one the day before by Senate Republicans. (Sam Stites/Oregon…
Political climate change hits Capitol as House Republicans abandon daily session
SALEM — A day after their counterparts in the Senate vacated the Capitol, Republican representatives brought the House to a halt Tuesday, skipping a daily session in protest of a controversial climate bill. Their absence blocked the House from taking votes. If all Democrats are…
Salem City Council moves forward with sit-lie – with some conditions
The Salem City Council is moving forward with a plan to ban sitting and lying on public sidewalks — with provisions. Councilor Cara Kaser made a motion to go ahead with the ban on Monday, Feb. 24, with a stipulation that it wouldn’t go into…
Finger pointing was prime product at Legislature Monday as Senate Republicans bolt
State Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, was the only one of 11 Republican senators to show up for Monday’s floor session of the Oregon Senate. The other 10 senators boycotted the session over fierce opposition to pending climate change legislation. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM —…
Oregon Senate Republicans walk out
Oregon State Capitol, Legislature (Salem Reporter/file) SALEM — Republicans in the Senate boycotted a floor session Monday morning, putting a stop to the Senate before it could consider a controversial greenhouse gas emissions legislation that has been a political lightning rod. The Senate requires 20…