Category Government
You’re one step closer to never having to ‘fall back’ with clock changes
SALEM — Oregon took a step toward moving to year-round daylight saving time on Thursday, as the state Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation that could stop the changing of the clocks for most Oregonians. Like 47 other states, Oregon “springs forward” by an hour every March,…
Clarno takes ceremonial oath of office
Secretary of State Bev Clarno said she is honored by the appointment as she was ceremonially sworn in to office. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) Scores of family, friends, lawmakers and journalists packed into the Governor’s ceremonial office to watch Oregon’s newest Secretary of State, Bev…
Governor, AG step up for gun controls in packed Capitol hearings
Visitors to the Capitol watch testimony on gun control legislation on televisions in the lobby Tuesday. (Claire Withycombe/EO Media Group) SALEM — When state Rep. Rachel Prusak was 16, she was dating a boy who she says became controlling and aggressive. Her parents helped her…
Bridge district bill runs into opposition
Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, talks with the state House Rules Committee about his bill that would allow the creation of a special bridge district in the mid-Willamette Valley. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The prospect of a new governing body empowered to build bridges drew more opposition…
Secretary of State executive staff asked to resign Monday morning
(Secretary of State Bev Clarno) The top three executives of the Secretary of State’s Office were asked to resign Monday morning, and have vacated their positions. Leslie Cummings, acting secretary of state, Deb Royal, chief of staff and communications director, and Steve Elizinga, governmental and…
Oregon voters may get new chance to clamp down on money flowing to politicians
SALEM — Two constitutional amendments next year could bring the most dramatic changes in a generation to how Oregon conducts its elections. But first, they have to pass through the Legislature. The pathway for campaign finance reform looked relatively smooth until it hit a bump…
State manager on leave from $110,000 job earlier resisted conclusion in infant’s death
A state child welfare manager put on leave last month for an undisclosed issue once tried to shield her office from criticism following an investigation into a 2-month-old’s death. The ensuing wrongful death lawsuit in the 2016 death portrays the Dallas field office of the…
Bev Clarno picked for Secretary of State
Gov. Kate Brown has tapped former legislator Bev Clarno to be Oregon’s 37th secretary of state. The announcement came Friday, just over a month after former Secretary of State Dennis Richardson died. Clarno will finish Richardson’s term, which will conclude in January 2021. In filling…
Oregon lawmakers go into second half of session with a full plate
(Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — Oregon’s legislators are halfway around their political track in Salem and major reforms in taxation, environment and education remain in the works. They now have about 90 days to finish their work and go home. Democrats, who dominate…