A coalition has filed ballot initiatives to prohibit hard drug use in public places and has $700,000 lined up from donors, including Phil Knight.
OREGON NEWS
Kotek recommends 11 Salemites to state boards, commissions
Gov. Tina Kotek’s latest appointment nominations for state boards and commissions includes 11 Salem residents, who would oversee statewide drug policy, education and issues including home care and social work.
State union leader steps down after performance complaint
Stacy Chamberlain will no longer lead Oregon AFSCME, a union representing more than 35,000 government workers after an internal complaint raised concerns about her leadership in June.
Federal officials order Oregon State Hospital to make ‘immediate’ changes following escape
Two weeks after an “extremely dangerous” man facing felony charges escaped from the Oregon State Hospital in a state-owned van, federal health authorities ordered immediate changes to ensure the secure transport of patients, especially those involved in the criminal justice system.
Oregon advocates call for state to follow ‘roadmap’ to address addiction crisis
Oregon Recovers, a Portland-based nonprofit, urged state leaders to change – but not eliminate – Measure 110, which decriminalized low-level drug possession.
Kotek announces details of $26 million to 26 rural counties to fight homelessness
Another slice of the more than $200 million allocated by the Legislature this session for homelessness is headed toward rural counties in Oregon. Gov. Tina Kotek announced Tuesday that 26 rural counties will receive a total of $26 million to get people off the street, out of their cars and[Read More…]
Kotek’s housing council wants to make expanding cities easier, a tough sell in Salem
Members of a governor-appointed council say Oregon needs to temporarily loosen its land-use laws to meet Gov. Tina Kotek’s goal of building 36,000 homes per year – an idea that’s proved to be one of the more divisive proposals to address the state’s housing crisis. Over the past few months,[Read More…]
Spending on health care in Oregon soars 40% in eight years, report says
Rising health insurance premiums are a major reason Oregonians are spending more on health care, a state report said.
Medicaid patients denied treatment, adding to Oregon’s mental health crisis
A state mental health system that often blocks treatment, with contractors trained by YouTube videos assessing patients, is under review after a whistleblower complained
Judge drops charge against former state director who pleaded guilty to child assault
Reginald Richardson, former director of the state Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, pleaded guilty last October to assaulting a boy in a school program he ran as a side business. The charge was dismissed Aug. 28 after he completed his diversion terms.
