Category State
Oregon public records council shores up support for independence
The Oregon State Capitol. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) The state’s Public Records Advisory Council rejected Wednesday an attempt to restrict its independence. At the same time, the 12-member council said it would fight attempts to block it from proposing public records legislation. During its Jan. 22…
Public records council focuses on plan to ensure independence
Ginger McCall (Courtesy/Oregon Secretary of State) Oregon’s Public Records Advisory Council meets Wednesday, Jan. 22, to discuss a legislative proposal to carve out its place as an independent agency and office under the governor. A lobbyist for the League of Oregon Cities has proposed amendments…
Oregon 1 of 5 states to get new legal help for journalists; Salem Reporter participating
Oregon is one of five states where journalists will soon receive free legal help, the national Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press announced Tuesday. The Local Legal Initiative fund will employ a lawyer in Oregon to help defend local newsrooms throughout the state against the…
Judge reverses secretary of state, allows Oregon energy measures to move ahead
A Marion County judge has reversed a decision by Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno to reject two proposed ballot initiatives on carbon reduction. Circuit Judge David Leith ruled Thursday, Jan. 16, that initiatives backed by renewable energy coalition Renew Oregon do not violate Oregon…
Oregon sues Trump administration to protect food help for 21,000 Oregonians
Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon attorney general SALEM — About 21,800 Oregonians risk losing government benefits to help them buy food if a proposed federal rule goes into effect in April. To prevent that, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined with more than a dozen other…
Courtney gets treatment for hip injury, misses Capitol duty
SALEM — Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, is out of the Capitol this week while being treated for a hip injury at Oregon Health & Science University, according to his office. Courtney’s absence occurs as state lawmakers convene in the Capitol for a series of…
A chat in a parking garage and a path to a new climate plan for Oregon
SALEM — Less than a month before legislators convene again, a new proposal to cap Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions is taking firmer shape. The aim is to reduce the state’s overall emissions from electricity, fossil fuels like natural gas and diesel, and industrial processes like making…
DEQ issues $1.3 million air quality fine – its largest ever – to aluminum recycler
The Dalles (Edward Stojakovic/Flickr) An aluminum recycling plant in The Dalles has been hit with the largest fine ever imposed by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for air pollution. The state announced Thursday that it is assessing a fine of $1.3 million against Hydro…
Rich Vial resigns as deputy secretary of state
Secretary of State’s office. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) Deputy Secretary of State Rich Vial has resigned his position. Vial submitted his resignation to Secretary of State Bev Clarno on Monday, Jan. 6, with an effective date of Friday, Jan. 10. In the letter to…