Category Government
House Republicans shake up leadership in bid for more influence
Rep. Christine Drazan was picked to lead the House Republican caucus. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Vowing to protect incumbents, Republican state legislators in the House on Monday picked a Portland-area freshman legislator to lead them, replacing Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass. The legislators voted in Rep.…
Gov. Brown’s top lawyer turns down judicial appointment amid allegations he pressured public records advocate
SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown’s top lawyer said Tuesday he is turning down a plum judicial post after an outgoing state advocate for government transparency said he tried to exert undue influence over her work. Public Records Advocate Ginger McCall’s resignation last week turned the…
Freshman Christine Drazan replaces Carl Wilson as House Republican leader
Rep. Christine Drazan was picked to lead the House Republican caucus. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) House Republicans voted Monday to elect Rep. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, as House Republican Leader. Drazan takes over for Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, who was elected to lead the caucus in…
Oregon’s public records council calls for independent advocate
Ginger McCall (Courtesy/Oregon Secretary of State) SALEM — The week in Oregon politics began and ended with Ginger McCall. McCall, the state’s first public records advocate, announced her sudden resignation Monday, Sept. 9, citing undue influence from Gov. Kate Brown’s office. And, by the time…
With death of her husband, Councilor Sally Cook says she will step down
Salem city hall (Salem Reporter) Sally Cook plans to resign her seat on Salem City Council soon, she informed City Manager Steve Powers on Thursday. The 39-year-old councilor said the sudden death of her husband three months ago and reality of being a single mother…
Supreme Court ruling on unanimous jury verdicts could throw decades of Oregon convictions into question
The U.S. Supreme Court could force Oregon into doing what every other state already does – requires every juror to vote to convict before a person is judged guilty. Such a decision by the Supreme Court in a case now before it could make it…
Hoping for affordable apartments, Salem eyes new twist on urban renewal
The Oregon State Hospital North Campus, pictured in April, where Mountain West Investment Corp. aims to build more than 40 homes and a 246-unit apartment. It could also be where the city of Salem uses its new incentive for affordable apartments. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) It…
Oregon reaches inside to find next leader of ODOT
SALEM – Oregon’s transportation commissioners have chosen Kris Strickler, head of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s highway division, to be the agency’s new leader. The commissioners voted on the appointment Tuesday evening, chosen after a national search to replace longtime director Matt Garrett that took…
Oregon’s first public records advocate quits
Ginger McCall (Courtesy/Oregon Secretary of State) SALEM — Oregon’s first-ever public records advocate is resigning from her post on Oct. 11. Ginger McCall, appointed by Gov. Kate Brown in early 2018 to boost transparency and openness in state and local government, said she was stepping…