The Klezmonauts performed at the World Beat Festival Saturday. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) Visitors to Saturday’s World Beat Festival in downtown Salem were transported across the globe. African drumming filled the amphitheater at Riverside Park, while cooks made lumpia, a dish from the Philippines, and vendors sold bonsai trees, an[Read More…]
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Opponents of cap and trade effectively pit urban and rural against each other
Truckers and loggers organized the largest protest of cap and trade last week. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) SALEM — The debate on climate change appears to have deepened the gap between the liberal politics of Portland and Eugene and the conservative politics of rural areas with natural resource and agricultural economies.[Read More…]
DOME DIGEST: Legislature wraps up 80th assembly with a flurry of bills
SALEM — The Oregon Legislature, delayed by a walkout by Senate Republicans, sprinted to finish its work, voting on the last bill just before 5 p.m. Sunday. The day consisted of more recesses in the Senate than time spent voting on bills, as lawmakers gave one last push to cut[Read More…]
Senate sees highs, lows and a lot of bills as it comes down the homestretch
The Senate had a quorum for the first time in more than a week Saturday, and worked through 105 bills. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — The penultimate day of the 2019 Legislature was a busy one. Most Republican Senators had returned Saturday morning, after departing in protest over a[Read More…]
PHOTOS: World Beat Festival
Nupurum Folk Dance showcased dances from the different states of India in brightly colored saris. (Saphara Harrell/ Salem Reporter) The World Beat Festival is an annual event put on by the Salem Multicultural Institute in Riverfront Park that showcases different cultures from around the globe. On Saturday, event goers watched[Read More…]
Complaint over public funding for transgender training stalls after Marion County leaders skip meeting
A complaint stemming from two Marion County commissioners’ move to defund training for therapists who work with transgender people is no closer to a resolution one month later. Commissioner Colm Willis, the target of the complaint, wrote in emails this week to fellow board members of the Behavioral Care Network[Read More…]
Legislature starts the home-stretch run at a quick, smooth pace
Republican Senators officially return to the Senate after their walkout. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — Twenty-seven senators gathered at 9 a.m. Saturday morning to lay to rest House Bill 2020, the 2019 Legislature’s disruptive attempt to tackle climate change. Senate Republicans had been boycotting floor proceedings since Thursday, June[Read More…]
Attorney hired by Legislature suggests Boquist not be allowed in Capitol
Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, discusses the walkout in his office. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) UPDATE: A link to the investigator’s report has been added to this report. Legislative leaders were advised this week to ban Sen. Brian Boquist from the Capitol over his threatening language, but Boquist remains able to return[Read More…]
As Oregon Legislature nears end, campaign reform might be close
As the Oregon Legislature prepares to resume, the fate of campaign finance reform in Portland, Multnomah and statewide may rest on whether a constitutional amendment is approved before the Legislature shuts down. Activists have urged Democratic leaders to deliver on months of discussions of changing the state Constitution to allow[Read More…]
Republican senators to provide a quorum
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, was frustrated Friday as reporters peppered him with questions about the walkout and negotiations. Courtney declined to answer them. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) Enough Oregon Republican senators will return to the Capitol for the chamber to do business Saturday. The announcement was made at a[Read More…]