Category POLITICS

Bill on wildfire prevention work could give utilities immunity from lawsuits
House Bill 3666 would set minimum standards for wildfire prevention work by utilities but lawyers say it also offers statutory immunity from lawsuits.

Senate committee endorses former Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as labor secretary
Three Democrats joined most Republicans in voting to recommend Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

Oregon resumes automatic voter registration, paused for months because of DMV errors
Gov. Tina Kotek decided to resume Oregon's automatic voter registration program after monthly reviews showed no further errors.

Republican leader calls for Greg Smith to resign as state representative
Kerry McQuisten, former Republican candidate for governor from Baker City, is calling on Greg Smith to resign from the Legislature over controversies involving his conduct.

Salem resident creates app to explain policy “in plain English”
Willamette computer science graduate Henry Dalton worked with his brother and a team to develop an app providing AI-generated plain English summaries of bills, executive orders and Supreme Court decisions.

Former Oregon Rep. Chavez-DeRemer grilled at labor secretary hearing
Both of Oregon’s Democratic senators plan to vote against her nomination.

Former Oregon House GOP leader will run for Senate GOP leader’s seat
Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, hopes to replace Sen. Daniel Bonham, who is barred from running for reelection.

Demonstrators gather on Presidents Day to protest Trump, Musk
Monday's protest was the second major demonstration in Salem since President Donald Trump's inauguration, with many attendees denouncing his purge of federal workers as a "coup."

Oregon health researchers, Wyden decry Trump’s ‘lawless’ efforts to cut funding
Trump’s desired research funding cuts – now blocked by courts – would hamper Oregon research into Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes.