Category Government
DOME DIGEST: Legislature wraps up 80th assembly with a flurry of bills
SALEM — The Oregon Legislature, delayed by a walkout by Senate Republicans, sprinted to finish its work, voting on the last bill just before 5 p.m. Sunday. The day consisted of more recesses in the Senate than time spent voting on bills, as lawmakers gave…
Senate sees highs, lows and a lot of bills as it comes down the homestretch
The Senate had a quorum for the first time in more than a week Saturday, and worked through 105 bills. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — The penultimate day of the 2019 Legislature was a busy one. Most Republican Senators had returned Saturday morning, after…
Complaint over public funding for transgender training stalls after Marion County leaders skip meeting
A complaint stemming from two Marion County commissioners’ move to defund training for therapists who work with transgender people is no closer to a resolution one month later. Commissioner Colm Willis, the target of the complaint, wrote in emails this week to fellow board members…
Legislature starts the home-stretch run at a quick, smooth pace
Republican Senators officially return to the Senate after their walkout. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — Twenty-seven senators gathered at 9 a.m. Saturday morning to lay to rest House Bill 2020, the 2019 Legislature’s disruptive attempt to tackle climate change. Senate Republicans had been boycotting…
Attorney hired by Legislature suggests Boquist not be allowed in Capitol
Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, discusses the walkout in his office. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) UPDATE: A link to the investigator’s report has been added to this report. Legislative leaders were advised this week to ban Sen. Brian Boquist from the Capitol over his threatening language, but…
As Oregon Legislature nears end, campaign reform might be close
As the Oregon Legislature prepares to resume, the fate of campaign finance reform in Portland, Multnomah and statewide may rest on whether a constitutional amendment is approved before the Legislature shuts down. Activists have urged Democratic leaders to deliver on months of discussions of changing…
Republican senators to provide a quorum
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, was frustrated Friday as reporters peppered him with questions about the walkout and negotiations. Courtney declined to answer them. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) Enough Oregon Republican senators will return to the Capitol for the chamber to do business Saturday. The…
Truckers, loggers and activists take over a nearly empty Capitol in protest
About 1,000 people gathered in front of the State Capitol Building’s step Thursday morning to rally in protest of HB 2020. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) SALEM — Loggers, truckers, farmers and right-wing activists filled the void created by an exodus of lawmakers and lobbyists from the…
Sen. Bentz: State police have been called off
Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario. SALEM — At least one Senate Republican has returned to Oregon. Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, confirmed Thursday afternoon that he had returned home. The state police had been called off, he said. Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton declined to comment…