Category Government
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…
Mayor urges Salem City Council to pass sit-lie ordinance in annual address
Delivering the annual state of the city address on Wednesday, Mayor Chuck Bennett focused on one major issue facing Salem: homelessness. “Overriding every other issue was homelessness and its impact on our city,” Bennett said, citing a citywide survey last year that found homelessness was…
Bill giving Oregon public records advocate independence heads to vote
It took less than two minutes Wednesday for a Senate committee to approve legislation to solidify independence for Oregon’s public records advocate and the Public Records Advisory Council. During a Feb. 12 work session, members of the Senate Committee on General Government sent Senate Bill…
Court of Appeals overturns lower court decision on forestry measures
Secretary of State’s office. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — The Oregon Court of Appeals said Wednesday, Feb. 12 that Secretary of State Bev Clarno incorrectly asserted that a slate of prospective ballot measures didn’t comply with the state’s constitution. The court reversed a…
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…
AGENDA: Salem Public Library Advisory Board to talk public art, open house
The Salem Public Library reopens at its Broadway location on Feb. 18. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Correction: The meeting will be held at the library’s new location on 1400 Broadway St. N.E. A previous version misstated that. The Salem Public Library Advisory Board meets Wednesday, Feb.…
Left with few options, the Salem City Council reconsiders banning sitting, lying on sidewalks
Salem city officials have been grappling with how to deal with the persistent, visible homeless problem downtown. They scrapped ideas to locate a shelter in a residential neighborhood, couldn’t find a suitable location for a temporary, low -barrier shelter and most recently flirted with the…
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…