Category Government
CITY MEETING: Council to consider renter protections, repeal of business parking tax Monday
Salem city councilors will consider implementing new protections for local renters, and the repeal of a parking tax on downtown business during its meeting on Monday. The council will also get an update on activities in line with the city’s recent emergency declaration related to immigration enforcement.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Salem Reporter brings back election Town Hall after reader feedback
After hearing from many of you, Salem Reporter is moving forward with a free city election Town Hall. Join us at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at the Elsinore Theatre, with a live broadcast by Capital Community Media. Council and mayoral candidates have been invited – and voters will hear from those who choose to participate.
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Council to consider $200k social services fund, in part for families impacted by ICE
Funding for a one-time social services pilot program would come from salary savings on vacant positions at the airport and in the city manager’s office. It would be available for vulnerable community members including those impacted by federal immigration enforcement.
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Southern Oregon senator revives bill to make big oil pay for disasters driven by climate change
Ashland Sen. Jeff Golden is trying again to get the Legislature to create a fund to pay for natural disasters with damages collected from big oil.
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Targeting debunked forensics, Oregon lawmakers propose narrowed wrongful conviction bill
State Sen. Kim Thatcher, who represents north Salem and Keizer, is among the backers of a measure to allow people convicted based on junk science to have their cases reviewed.
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What Salem-area lawmakers are prioritizing for the 2026 session
Salem lawmakers want to regulate federal immigration officers, end the Cherriots’ board’s ability to levy taxes without a public vote and beef up the state’s emergency management system.
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Parents, educators, workers ask Oregon lawmakers to separate from federal tax code
As Oregon lawmakers weigh how to balance the state’s budget, hundreds of Oregonians visited the Capitol to plead with them not to cut funding for public defense, career and technical education and kids with disabilities.
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Understanding the Oregon Legislature: How laws get passed — and how to participate
Here’s a civilian’s guide to the 2026 Oregon legislative session.
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Oregon lawmakers begin session as transportation, federal policy fights loom
Lawmakers have two weeks to move their bills out of policy committees and onto their chamber’s floor.
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