Category State

Economists say you’re sending an extra $1 billion into Oregon’s treasury
SALEM — Taxpayers and lottery patrons are pouring millions of extra dollars into state coffers. By the end of the current budget cycle, state economists say, the state will tuck $1 billion more into its treasury than forecast 18 months ago. That comes on top…

Potent forces lining up in Oregon to support river ferries to relieve I-5 congestion
Congestion on Interstate 5 over the Columbia River is motivating a company to fashion a passenger ferry service. (Oregon Department of Transportation photo) A months-long effort to fashion a new ferry service across the Columbia River in Portland comes into public view Friday before the…

State participation in Census leads to the discovery of new addresses, new funding and perhaps a new congressional representative
Oregon officials say their participation in a new Census program could win the state $400 million a year and perhaps even a sixth U.S. House seat. For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau has asked states to help wrangle addresses from local governments in…

After a statewide school tour, student success committee begins work on large education package
The Joint Committee on Student Success met Thursday morning to discuss its statewide tour of schools and propose education policy. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) After traveling thousands of miles and visiting dozens of schools, one thing was clear to all members of the Joint Interim Committee…

State-funded program boosts training for professional and volunteer caregivers
More of those who care for elderly Oregonians are completing free training from the state that helps them perform better. The state reported that from August 2014 to August 2018, 69,647 classes have been taken and 19,218 caregivers have been trained. In-person classes account for…

Oregon officials confident election systems are secure
SALEM — State and county officials say they have buttressed the state’s voting systems against intruders. “I am confident that Oregon’s voting system is as safe as it can be from malicious outside entities,” Steve Trout, state elections director, said in a prepared statement. “That…

Nonaffiliated voters key to victory in governor’s race
With polls showing the two main gubernatorial candidates only a few percentage points away from victory, their campaigns are focused on winning votes from nonaffiliated and independent voters in the final days before Tuesday’s election. The last-minute choices of those voters could determine the outcome of the race, political analysts said Thursday.…

Early voting hits new high for mid-term elections
Perhaps there is something to all the fundraising, television ads and “get out the vote” efforts. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, 2018 is seeing more voter activity so far than any other mid-term election in Oregon history. By the end of the day…

After 28,000 registered Independents voted, the party’s candidate dropped out. Voters will not get a second chance.
SALEM — If you cast a ballot for the Independent Party of Oregon candidate in the governor’s race and now want to vote for someone else, you’re out of luck. Patrick Starnes announced Tuesday he was dropping out of the race and throwing his support…
