Category State
State employees lawsuits target the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Justice
Marion County Courthouse (File/Salem Reporter) A pair of lawsuits filed in Marion County Circuit Court by state workers allege mistreatment by two different government agencies. One lawsuit was filed on behalf of Dane Snyder, a major incident technical analyst with the Oregon Health Authority. The…
The state workforce has mostly stayed intact during the pandemic. State leaders want to keep it that way
Tom Avila waits for the next truck in line at the Woodburn port of entry. (Sam Stites/Pamplin Media) As Oregon’s governor and Legislature prepare to climb out of a multi-billion budget hole caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they will likely shrink Salem’s largest employer –…
Legislature throws another lifeline to those struggling to pay rent
The sign at The ARCHES Project. (Anthony McGuire/Special to Salem Reporter) Renters and homeowners impacted by job loss or illness during the coronavirus pandemic will soon get another infusion of cash to help pay for living expenses. On Friday, state lawmakers approved an additional $75…
Department of Consumer and Business Services gets a new director
Andrew Stolfi. (Courtesy/Governor’s office) Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection department has a new head. Gov. Kate Brown has appointed Andrew Stolfi to serve as the director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “I believe strongly in our mission of consumer protection,”…
Oregon prison system, facing escalating costs, cutting employees but no corrections officers
SALEM – Oregon’s prison system is laying off employees and cutting other costs as it faces a $60 million budget deficit. Colette Peters, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, advised the agency’s employees of the circumstances in an email message Wednesday night. Agency officials…
As the coronavirus outbreak reaches pandemic levels, Oregon sees its number of cases rise to 19
An image of the coronavirus from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. UPDATE: This story has been updated to include new information about Oregon university restrictions and the treatment of a Marion County case. The number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Oregon…
Oregon promised millions from federal agency to help confront coronavirus
An image of the coronavirus from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oregon will soon be receiving roughly $7.3 million in federal funds provided as part of an emergency package approved by Congress last week that will help the state in its response…
Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order on climate change has similar goals as an unsuccessful bill. But its effects are uncertain
Gov. Kate Brown, flanked by students and supporters, as she prepares to sign a sweeping order on climate change. (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) Gov. Kate Brown Tuesday directed state agencies to reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions through more stringent standards for fuels, new buildings and consumer…
After two failed legislative attempts, Gov. Kate Brown signs an expansive order targeting climate change
Students joined Gov. Kate Brown at the Oregon Capitol for the signing of a climate change executive order on March 10, 2020 (Jake Thomas/Salem Reporter) Gov. Kate Brown signed a sweeping executive order on Tuesday that directs state government to significantly cut greenhouse emissions in…