Category State
Thousands of Oregonians soon to be eligible to clear old marijuana convictions
The Oregon Legislature on Tuesday saw both chambers work to destigmatize marijuana. Once criminal, the substance is becoming part of the state’s identity — and a cash crop. The Senate gave the nod to a proposal that would help tens of thousands of Oregonians with…
Late amendments being discussed on cap and trade, as the massive proposal hits turbulence
Rep. Karin Power, Milwaukie, and Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, talk during a rally supporting cap and trade. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) SALEM — For months, lawmakers pushing a major environmental plan that would put a price on carbon emissions, spent a remarkable amount of time crafting policy…
Lawmakers reconsidering suspending licenses for drivers with unpaid tickets
SALEM — Oregon lawmakers are considering putting a stop to license suspensions for drivers who don’t pay fines for certain traffic tickets. Every year, thousands of Oregon drivers get tickets for non-criminal traffic offenses. Suspending licenses for unpaid fines unfairly punishes poor people who can’t…
DOME DIGEST: Straw ban, revenge porn and DNA testing
SALEM — These bills might not make headlines, but they may make a difference to Oregonians all the same. Each of these bills passed their last hurdle this week and now head next to Gov. Kate Brown for her signature. TOW TIME: Senate Bill 396…
Democrats face angry union members after tough vote to cut pensions
SALEM — Last week, 31 Democrats voted to cut into benefits promised to public employees in what was likely their toughest vote of the 2019 legislative session, if not their career. It prompted 17 to file public explanations for why they voted. In a political…
Legislature endorses Oregon’s move to national popular vote
Oregon is on its way to joining a movement to ignore the Electoral College in favor of the popular vote in presidential elections. Senate Bill 870 passed the House 37-22 on Wednesday after passing the Senate nearly two months ago. The bill joins Oregon in…
Oregon’s foster care system remains in crisis, $1 million consultants brought in
SALEM — A year and a half ago, state watchdogs said the system overseeing care for foster kids was in dire need of improvement. They urged immediate improvements, but a new report released by state auditors Wednesday said the state is still risking children’s safety…
Movement is slow to improve Oregon’s response to wildfires
A field burns through a ranch during the 2015 fire season (Courtesy Oregon Department of Forestry Flickr) SALEM — Saturday marked the official start of Oregon’s wildfire season, but without new resources the state is only incrementally more prepared to combat fire this summer than…
Gov. Brown proposes new plan to withhold kicker money
SALEM — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown wants to limit the money that Oregonians could get back through a popular tax rebate next year. Oregon is currently expected to hand about $1.4 billion back to taxpayers in 2020 through what’s known as the “kicker.” Created by…