Category Government
Political campaigns in Oregon could change under reforms facing legislative vote
SALEM — Following the 2020 election, for the first time in more than 20 years, people could see limits on the amount of money they’re allowed to donate to candidates for state and local office in Oregon. Oregon is one of 11 states with no…
Legislature endorses Oregon’s move to national popular vote
Oregon is on its way to joining a movement to ignore the Electoral College in favor of the popular vote in presidential elections. Senate Bill 870 passed the House 37-22 on Wednesday after passing the Senate nearly two months ago. The bill joins Oregon in…
Oregon’s foster care system remains in crisis, $1 million consultants brought in
SALEM — A year and a half ago, state watchdogs said the system overseeing care for foster kids was in dire need of improvement. They urged immediate improvements, but a new report released by state auditors Wednesday said the state is still risking children’s safety…
Movement is slow to improve Oregon’s response to wildfires
A field burns through a ranch during the 2015 fire season (Courtesy Oregon Department of Forestry Flickr) SALEM — Saturday marked the official start of Oregon’s wildfire season, but without new resources the state is only incrementally more prepared to combat fire this summer than…
Salem hires chief financial officer in midst of budget woes
Salem City Hall (Salem Reporter files) The city of Salem has hired a chief financial officer, an ostensibly new position of budget expertise, the city announced Monday. Robert Barron started Monday, according to the announcement. He will oversee the city’s budget in a time of…
DOME DIGEST: Holocaust education, ranch tourism, olive oil production among bills passed this week
(Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — These bills might not make headlines, but make a difference to Oregonians all the same. Each of these bills passed their last hurdle this week and now head next to Gov. Kate Brown for her signature. NEVER FORGET:…
Gov. Brown proposes new plan to withhold kicker money
SALEM — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown wants to limit the money that Oregonians could get back through a popular tax rebate next year. Oregon is currently expected to hand about $1.4 billion back to taxpayers in 2020 through what’s known as the “kicker.” Created by…
PERS reform passes after Speaker whips last-minute votes
In a dramatic afternoon, the Oregon House of Representatives voted 31-29 on a bill to cut retirement benefits for the state’s public employees. It was reform most seemed to find distasteful, regardless of party. Democrats considering supporting the bill risk losing campaign dollars from public…
New state librarian finding her way through stacks, Oregon government
Oregon’s new state librarian, Jennifer Patterson, among the stacks at the Salem institution. (Jaime Valdez/Portland Tribune) SALEM — Jennifer Patterson loves libraries. She always has, she says. Now, she’s Oregon’s state librarian — the person in charge of supporting every library in the state, as…