Category Government
As wildfires get larger and more expensive, Gov. Brown looks to a new advisory council
A plane drops retardant over the Canyon Fire in 2015. (Oregon Department of Forestry Flickr) SALEM — Oregonians saw $62 million in private grazing and timberland go up in flames this fire season. Such seasons continue to grow worse, longer and more expensive in the…
Oregon agencies could have saved $1.6 billion through smarter shopping, audit finds
SALEM — State officials could have saved up to $1.6 billion over a two-year period by being smarter shoppers, according to a state audit released Wednesday, Dec. 19. But, auditors said, old technology and outdated practices largely prevent the state from digging into whether it…
Proposed ballot measure would limit use of toll revenue
Portland-area drivers facing freeway tolls may get some protection from seeing that money diverted to anything but expanding highways. Language has been approved for a ballot measure that would restrict the state’s use of that toll money. Transportation Department officials are planning to assess tolls…
Dennis Richardson withdraws plan to delegate his Land Board position to his deputy
UPDATE: This story has been updated with new information. Secretary of State Dennis Richardson has decided not to delegate his seat on the State Land Board to a subordinate while he deals with cancer, according to a letter disclosed Monday. Richardson’s decision was disclosed in…
Oregon agencies may find more watchdogs keeping an eye on them
SALEM — A dozen large state agencies could find themselves with watchdogs tethered within their ranks, guarding against wasteful spending and questionable government practices. They’ve been without internal auditors for more than a decade ago, ignoring a mandate that they have such positions. That lack…
Senator’s anonymous delivery under doors triggers Capitol worries
SALEM — A state senator caught on tape slipping anonymous packets under the doors of at least seven other senators last month has been warned his conduct could be considered workplace harassment. The letter’s public disclosure is the latest in a series of actions by…
Change in Oregon’s DNA law could free wrongly convicted defendants, legislators told
SALEM — After 18 years in prison, Gerard Richardson walked free in 2013. He had been found wrongfully convicted of murder. Richardson was serving time in New Jersey, but experts say if an Oregon court found him guilty, he would still be imprisoned. That’s because…
Oregon education reforms could cost $3 billion, legislators told
Meme Branch talks about her high school experience with state Sen. Rob Wagner during a Joint Legislation Committee on School Success town hall earlir this year. (Pamplin Media Group/Jonathan House) SALEM — In an effort to put more Oregon students on track to graduate, the…
Secretary of State Dennis Richardson releases video updating the public on his cancer
For the first time since August, Secretary of State Dennis Richardson on Thursday updated the public about his brain cancer, releasing a social media video. Since disclosing the tumor in late May, Richardson has receded from the public eye, deferring interviews and public appearances to…