Category Government
First forum for Salem’s proposed “sit-lie” ordinance leaves residents, officials wanting more discussion
Kelly Teves, 48, voices her opposition to an idea to ban sitting or lying on city public rights-of-way for most hours of the day. Teves spoke during the first community forum held to discuss the proposal. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The first public talks about a…
Gov. Brown’s task force calls for more psychiatric beds for Oregon foster kids
SALEM — Oregon is now housing 37 foster care children in out-of-state facilities, down from its peak of 88 in March. A joint effort between the Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services and the Governor’s Office hopes to continue to reduce that by finding…
Downtown stakeholders split on ordinance to restrict sitting, lying on sidewalks
Robert Stone, of Cheyenne, Wyo., sits outside near a coffee shop in downtown Salem. The homeless Salem resident said he would “probably” be impacted by a proposed ban on sitting or lying down on public rights of way. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Those who provide safety nets…
Thousands of university workers in Oregon prepare for strike
(Courtesy SEUI Local 503) SALEM — As thousands of public university workers in Oregon prepare to strike at the end of the month, the union representing them claims there are fundamental problems with how the universities spend money. A report released Tuesday by SEIU Local…
Sen. Mark Hass to run for secretary of state
State Sen. Mark Hass on Tuesday officially launched his campaign to be Oregon’s next secretary of state. After helping lead a victorious fight to better fund education, Hass said it’s time to move on to a higher office he’s long had eyes for. “When we…
Oregon’s drive to hire 300 workers for child welfare finally cranks up
SALEM — Despite a flood of applications for new state jobs working with foster children, the Department of Human Services still hasn’t officially hired anyone for its understaffed Child Welfare Division. That means the state has yet to bring on board the first member of…
Phishing scheme gains entry to Oregon Judicial Department emails
A phishing scheme succeeded in breaking into the email accounts of five Oregon Judicial Department employees, exposing personal information of more than 6,000 people. A forensic team determined that none of the information has been used in an inappropriate way so far. The attack occurred…
The populist movement rolls through Oregon, setting its sights on Gov. Kate Brown
Oregon State Fair visitors sign a petition to recall Gov. Kate Brown at the booth organized by Flush Down Kate Brown. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — Jolly old St. Nicholas doesn’t care much for the governor. Dressed in a stocking cap, black boots, red velvet…
Brown supports special session to fix death penalty bill
SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown said Wednesday she plans to call a special session by the end of September to resolve what she says is an error with a bill lawmakers passed this year to restrict use of the death penalty. Senate Bill 1013 significantly…