Category Government
Gov. Kate Brown grabs national spotlight on voter access
Gov. Kate Brown talks about Oregon’s voting policies, such as automatic voter registration, at a Center for American Progress panel in Washington D.C. in February. (Photo courtesy of Chris Williams for the Center for American Progress) In her final four years as governor, Kate Brown…
Oregon should overhaul handling of insanity defendants, state official says
PORTLAND — The state of Oregon needs to overhaul the way it handles people found guilty except for insanity and better track what happens to them once they are released from state jurisdiction, the head of the agency that supervises such defendants said. In an…
Plan could mean you never change a clock again in Oregon
Whether they’re for standard time or daylight saving time, Oregonians are tired of changing their clocks twice every year. That’s the message state senators considering a time change in Oregon received this week. More than 50 people submitted written testimony or addressed the Senate Business…
Report finds Oregon’s most vulnerable residents don’t have proper access to legal services
(Caleb Wolf/special to Salem Reporter) Many low-income Oregonians who need legal help can’t get it and they pay a price, a new study found. Such defendants are bombarded with legal issues. When they do have to appear in court, they often don’t understand the system…
Legislators consider sharpening access to government records
State Rep. Karin Power, D-Milwaukie, is sponsoring reforms to Oregon’s public records law. (File/Pamplin Media) In 2017, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed reforms into law to promote government openness and transparency. Two years later, some state officials and advocacy groups say there is more work…
Jump a commuter train in Salem to head to work up north? Legislator lays groundwork
A WES commuter train pulls into the Beaverton station. A legislator dreams of pushing the service south to Salem. (File/Pamplin Media Group) SALEM — Ten years ago, the Westside Express Service began running between Beaverton and Wilsonville. State Rep. Mitch Greenlick hopes that in another…
Legislative budget-writers show how they’d spend state money, and it could mean cuts
Oregon’s K-12 schools won’t feel pinched under a proposal unveiled by legislative budget-writers Thursday, but other government services throughout the state are likely to see cuts. The co-chairs of the Joint Ways and Means Committee presented a $23.2 billion budget plan. That represents a 10…
Taxpayers bear the cost of $1.3 million sexual harassment settlement for lawmakers’ misdeeds
SALEM — In the next month, the Legislature will write a check for $1.1 million to finish its settlement of sexual harassment claims at the Capitol. But it won’t be legislators or employees accused of the misconduct who have to pay. The money comes from…
Waste-burning firm spreads money chasing carbon cap exemption for Brooks plant
Covanta Marion’s trash burning facility in Brooks is one of the state’s largest polluters. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) SALEM — The company that operates the Brooks garbage-burning facility contributed more than $20,000 in campaign contributions last fall ahead of getting favorable legislation that would spare it…