Category State
Legislative emergency board allocates $24.2 million in emergency spending for coronavirus, flood relief
Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, (left) asks his colleagues whether $5 million is truly enough to fund the state’s response to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM – The legislative Emergency Board Monday approved emergency allocations, including $11.5 million for flood relief…
Governor turns to executive order to advance Oregon climate change program
SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown is preparing an executive order to cut the state’s climate impacts on her own authority, after a second failure to get legislators to approve such a plan. The governor’s office “is having conversations with the Department of Justice to ensure…
Here are the top 10 sources of consumer complaints in Oregon
Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon attorney general Telecommunications companies, imposters as well as auto sales and repair companies topped the list of consumer complaints filed with the Oregon Department of Justice. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has released the department’s annual Top Ten Consumer Complaints list that…
What can state government do if the coronavirus outbreak gets worse?
Staffers work together at the Oregon Heath Authority’s Agency Operations Center in response to Coronavirus cases occurring in the state.(Jonathan House/Pamplin Media Group) Here’s some good news about the coronavirus in Oregon: it’s not an emergency — at least not officially. Currently, in Oregon 115…
Gov. Kate Brown is worried about rural hospitals, protective equipment and money as the state responds to the coronavirus
Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday wrote federal authorities, asking for money and equipment to deal with cornavirus. (Oregon Capital Bureau) Oregon could face a shortage of equipment used to protect health care providers from the coronavirus and rural hospitals could find themselves short-staffed as the…
After initial stumble, Oregon prepares to ramp up testing of possible coronavirus cases
Staffers work together at the Oregon Health Authority’s Agency Operations Center in response to Coronavirus cases occurring in the state.(Jonathan House/Pamplin Media Group) PORTLAND — The state of Oregon is prepared for a rapid increase in testing for COVID-19 should federal authorities, rattled by a…
AGENDA: State Forest Board to hear about environmental collaborations, Marbled Murrelet, future legislation and others
(Courtesy Michael Richardson/Wikimedia Commons) The Oregon Board of Forestry will get an update on a new environmental initiative, approve future legislative proposals and update forest work plans at its upcoming meeting in Salem on Wednesday, March 4. The board is a seven-member panel appointed by…
Audit: State tourism agency should be more transparent about managers’ pay, strengthen contracting controls
Oregon Caves Cascade, one of Oregon’s many tourist destinations. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) SALEM — The semi-independent Oregon agency overseeing tourism initiatives should be more transparent about managers’ pay and strengthen controls on contracting, Secretary of State Bev Clarno said in an audit report released Thursday. The…
Bill giving Oregon public records advocate independence heads to vote
It took less than two minutes Wednesday for a Senate committee to approve legislation to solidify independence for Oregon’s public records advocate and the Public Records Advisory Council. During a Feb. 12 work session, members of the Senate Committee on General Government sent Senate Bill…