(Courtesy/Creative Commons) SALEM — Are they an annoyance? A convenience? Do they destroy jobs? A federation of Oregon workers wants voters to issue a verdict on the self-checkout kiosks becoming more prevalent at grocery stores. A petition to limit each grocery store to two of the checkout kiosks can soon[Read More…]
POLITICS
Findley moves up to replace Cliff Bentz in Oregon Senate
Oregon’s newest state senator, Lynn Findley, R-Vale. (Courtesy) State Rep. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, was chosen Monday by county commissioners representing a wide swath of eastern Oregon to succeed Cliff Bentz, who resigned his post Jan. 1. Bentz, a Republican attorney from Ontario, left the seat to run for Congress to[Read More…]
Oregon’s third largest party is asking unaffiliated voters to help pick its candidates
As the number of Oregon voters unaffiliated with a political party rises, so has the number of voters locked out a key part of the electoral process. Oregon’s third-largest political party sees an opportunity in that. The Independent Party of Oregon, the state’s largest third party, is opening its primary[Read More…]
Oregon forests become political battleground that voters could decide next year
A political fight over the way Oregon manages its forests and timber activity could play out before voters next fall. Two separate sets of ballot initiatives with contrary views of forestry in Oregon have been filed with the state Elections Division. One side seeks to insulate current practices from change[Read More…]
Local constitutional law professor weighs in on Trump impeachment
A view from outside the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives took a vote it’s only held twice before in the last 100 years. On a 232-196 vote, the House passed a resolution formalizing and setting rules for an impeachment inquiry into President[Read More…]
Bentz, key Oregon Senate Republican, announces bid to succeed Walden
State Sen. Cliff Bentz announced Tuesday he will run for Congress in 2020. (The Enterprise/File). ONTARIO – State Sen. Cliff Bentz, an Ontario attorney, said Tuesday he intends to run for Congress in 2020, hoping to fill incumbent Greg Walden’s slot to represent the 2nd Congressional District. Walden, who represented[Read More…]
Second attempt filed to repeal Oregon’s law easing driver’s license requirements
SALEM — After hitting a legal roadblock, backers of an initiative to undo a new state law that allows undocumented immigrants to get Oregon driver’s licenses filed a new petition Friday. Their goal hit a snag after the Secretary of State Bev Clarno said the original petition that supporters submitted[Read More…]
Petition drive to restrict Oregon licenses derailed by state ruling
SALEM — An attempt to repeal a new state law allowing undocumented immigrants to get Oregon driver’s licenses has hit a snag. Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno on Tuesday halted a proposed ballot initiative to walk back House Bill 2015, saying it doesn’t comply with requirements stated in the[Read More…]
Drives to recall Brown see petitions pile up as Monday deadline looms
Oregon State Fair visitors this summer sign a petition to recall Gov. Kate Brown at the booth organized by Flush Down Kate Brown. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau/file) SALEM — They were busy this summer, showing up in places like the state fair, brew fests and libraries. With card tables soon[Read More…]
Getting laws changed through Oregon ballot draws many efforts, few successes
David Smith wanted to create meaningful change. The retired Eugene real estate appraiser of 45 years watched year after year as seniors in his community were forced from their homes, unable to keep up with climbing property tax rates. He decided to seek a change in Oregon law to reduce[Read More…]
