United States Capitol at dusk. (Courtesy/ Wikimedia Commons) WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden met with congressional Democrats on Capitol Hill Thursday morning to pitch lawmakers on a new slimmed-down framework for what would be included in a massive social reform package. The $1.75 trillion blueprint that Biden presented to Democrats includes a[Read More…]
Tag: GOVERNMENT
Uncategorized Marion County employees can now get paid leave if they need to isolate because of Covid
The Marion County Health and Human Services headquarters in Salem (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Marion County is now allowing employees who get Covid to be paid while they’re in isolation without using up accrued sick or vacation leave. The policy, which the Board of Commissioners adopted Sept. 8, requires employees to[Read More…]
Uncategorized Marion County employees feeling unsafe at work without Covid protocols
(Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) When Trish Straw got Covid she couldn’t get out of bed for three days. She’s vaccinated, but said she still got sick. She could hardly perform as the primary caregiver for her father or, as a single mom, her children. Straw said she was denied[Read More…]
Uncategorized Marion County plans to sign new three-year contract with garbage burner
The Marion County Board of Commissioners are considering a new contract with Covanta Marion, a trash incinerator in Brooks.(Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) The Marion County Board of Commissioners meets Wednesday to consider another contract with Covanta, the garbage incinerator, for another three years. The current contract expires on Thursday. Covanta Marion,[Read More…]
Uncategorized Marion County budget by the numbers: what the commissioners are doing with your money
Marion County Courthouse. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) The Marion County Board of Commissioners meets Wednesday to consider adopting the county’s annual budget, this year with the largest year-over-year increase in recent history. The county has gotten an influx of federal dollars in the past year as it’s dealt with[Read More…]
Uncategorized Marion County: A year of “fire, ice and isolation”
Colm Willis, Marion County commissioner, sits in on a homeless alliance executive meeting video conference on May 5, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Marion County commissioner Colm Willis said if someone had told him the county would be challenged by Covid, wildfires and a recent ice storm, he would have “told[Read More…]
Local unions say little impact from court ruling on fees
In the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision some billed as a death knell to organized labor, unions in Oregon say the impact has been minimal. Some have even found a silver lining. “It is a financial hit, but I think it is less significant than they people[Read More…]
