Category OREGON NEWS
Amid a judicial crisis, Oregon lawmakers consider reshaping public defender system
The proposal would set up an hourly payment system and put public defenders on staff to bolster their ranks to represent the hundreds of people without legal representation
Legislature approves $7.5 million for Oregon Food Bank with Covid food benefits gone
AT THE CAPITOL: Food for the hungry becomes political as Republican legislators worry about Oregon Food Bank's actions. The Legislature approved an emergency $7.5 million for more food supplies.
Port of Morrow allows thousands of gallons of wastewater to leak and fails to alert DEQ
Officials with the Port of Morrow, based in Boardman, said initially they didn’t know about the leak but later acknowledged they had, violating their wastewater permit
Democrats propose legislation to fix problems with Oregon’s drug decriminalization law
AT THE CAPITOL: More oversight is proposed to remedy faults in rolling out Measure 110, the drug decriminalization and addiction treatment move approved by Oregon voters.
New OSU study: Lack of humidity, not rainfall, is bigger problem for trees
Researchers at OSU are unraveling the mystery of the impact of drought on trees – making a surprising discovery.
Dozens testify against Oregon firearm bill that critics say circumvents the courts
AT THE CAPITOL: A proposal in the Oregon Legislature would enact a gun permit system as Measure 114 is tied up in the courts. The bill sparked debate March 27 in a Senate committee hearing.
Oregon schools may be required to electronically notify families, employees of threats
AT THE CAPITOL: A legislative proposal would require schools to alert parents, guardians and employees of safety threats. The development comes as a school shooting in Tennessee on Monday, March 27, left seven dead.
Despite Oregon’s high opioid abuse rates, legislators slow to improve drug monitoring tool
AT THE CAPITOL: Oregon has lagged other states in using tools that can detect prescription drug abuses. Legislators now propose ways to catch up with audit recommendations made years ago.
Legislators propose a ‘little tighter’ state budget as federal relief money runs out
AT THE CAPITOL: Money for schools and housing would increase under a budget proposal from two key Oregon legislators. They want state agencies to leave unfilled jobs empty as a way to save money.