Category OREGON NEWS
Kotek proposes using $160 million from ‘rainy day fund’ for wildfires
The governor wants to tap Oregon's savings account to cover expected wildfire costs over the next two years, saying lawmakers likely don't have the votes needed to dig into the "kicker" refund.
‘A punch in the gut’: Oregon’s wine industry on edge amid targeted immigration enforcement
Wine industry leaders raised concerns about immigration enforcement with U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas after a vineyard business owner and employee were detained by ICE earlier this month.
In new proposal, 60% of kicker would go to wildfire, rest to Oregonians making less than $95k
Gov. Tina Kotek has signaled her support for potentially using some of the kicker or other one-time funding to invest in wildfire work across the state.
Oregon road workers urge passage of transportation bill, others warn of financial burden
A long-awaited proposal to fund state roads, bridges and other transit projects met with concern that costs would hit low-income Oregonians.
Penalty triples for former head of Oregon’s Liquor and Cannabis Commission over bourbon scandal
The former head of Oregon’s Liquor and Cannabis Commission will pay a $1,500 fine for using his state position to divert and obtain rare bourbon for himself. In a 7-1 vote Friday, eight of the nine present members of Oregon’s Government Ethics Commission approved the…
Trump withdraws from historic Columbia River deal with tribes, Northwest states
In an order issued Thursday, Trump said he would withdraw the U.S. from a 2023 deal made with tribes and environmentalists to end lawsuits over fish losses.
Oregon bill would make landlords give back rent deposit or pay fee if home found defective
House Bill 3521, now headed to the governor's desk, would let Oregon renters get their security deposits back if the home they’ve applied to has mold, unsafe electrical wiring or other defects making it uninhabitable.
Oregon lawmakers scale back proposal for unemployment strike payments amid blowback
A watered-down bill extending unemployment benefits to striking public and private employees will need to once again clear both legislative chambers after a concurrence vote.
Environment, social justice groups withdraw support for governor’s key groundwater protection bill
A last-minute amendment neutralizes the power of a bill updating groundwater pollution regulations advocacy groups said.