Category Government
Oregon lawmakers target plastic utensils, condiments, hotel toiletries with updated bag ban
The Oregon Senate voted 22-8 on Tuesday to pass Senate Bill 551, which would expand the state’s plastic bag ban to cover takeout bags provided by restaurants and the thicker plastic bags some stores have offered since the original ban took effect in 2020.
Marion County’s justice of the peace strives to connect with people through court
Since taking the bench in 2021, Justin Kidd has worked to boost access to the Marion County Justice Court by holding proceedings in Spanish, crafting unique sentences and officiating holiday-themed weddings.
U.S. Senate confirms former Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as labor secretary
Several Democrats joined most Republicans in voting for Chavez-DeRemer, but Oregon’s Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley weren’t among them.
Veteran Republican legislator Greg Smith concedes ethics violation
An ethics investigation established that state Rep. Greg Smith failed to disclose a key source of income for his private consulting company. Smith will get a formal letter of education over the ethics violation after a vote Friday by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
UPDATED: Salem City Council appoints Krishna Namburi as interim city manager
Krishna Namburi has served as acting city manager since Feb. 10 after former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley abruptly resigned. Namburi, a long-time city employee, is expected to bring steady leadership to the city as it works to convince Salem voters to accept a property tax increase to help balance a nearly $14 million budgetary shortfall.
Oregon’s largest union wants to assist caregivers—and grow its own ranks
Senate Bill 1138 would create a board to oversee working conditions in the direct care industry and give that board extraordinary authority.
Salinas speaks against research funding cuts at Stand Up for Science march
At least 500 people gathered in Salem Friday afternoon to protest federal cuts to scientific research. It was one of many Stand Up for Science marches across the U.S.
Oregon Senate votes to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foam
Firefighting foam, used at airports and military bases, has been identified as a source of toxic PFAS chemicals.
Oregon Sen. Merkley warns Trump cuts to federal lands staff meant to create chaos, precede land sale
Bailey Langley was 52 days from the end of her year-long probationary period as a public information officer for the U.S. Forest Service in Pendleton when she was fired in February under President Donald Trump’s sweeping directive cutting federal probationary employees. Langley’s work required informing…