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Brown calls for $200 million in workforce spending, offers few details
PORTLAND – Gov. Kate Brown used an annual gathering of Oregon politicians and business leaders to push for a new $200 million package she plans to seek during the 2022 legislative session. During a brief speech responding to the Oregon Business Council’s plan for the next decade, Brown urged a crowd at the Oregon Convention […]
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown brushes off criticism of maskless photos
Gov. Kate Brown’s political adviser on Monday brushed off criticism that she attended a seemingly maskless D.C. gala as Oregon continues to live with some of the nation’s strictest mask mandates. On Saturday, the LGBTQ Victory Institute inducted Brown into its hall of fame to honor her as the nation’s first openly LGBTQ governor during […]
Audit: Oregon law enforcement regulators don’t adequately investigate police misconduct
The state agency in charge of regulating police officers doesn’t have the staff or resources it needs to thoroughly investigate officer conduct and defers too much to local police departments, an audit found. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training has the authority to investigate on its own whether police officers failed to meet […]
After more than three decades, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio is done with Congress
Peter DeFazio was waiting for three things to happen before he ended his decades-long congressional career. First, Donald Trump needed to be out of the White House. Second, Oregon needed its long-awaited sixth congressional district. And finally, Democrats needed to control Congress. He finally checked those three boxes this year, and now he’s ready to […]
DeFazio’s retirement decision triggers political watch for candidates; 2 declare to run
Just hours after U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio announced his intention to retire from Congress at the end of his term in 2022, a state official revealed she hoped to replace him. But Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle, a Democrat, won’t be alone in seeking to represent Oregon’s 4th Congressional District. Democratic watchers said state Sens. Sara […]
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio will retire
U.S. Rep Peter DeFazio will retire after more than three decades representing southwest Oregon in Congress. DeFazio, 74, is the state’s senior representative and chairs the influential House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he played a key role in shaping a $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending bill signed in November. “It’s time for me to […]
Oregon House Republicans pick Vikki Breese-Iverson as new caucus leader
Oregon House Republicans on Tuesday selected Prineville Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson as their new caucus leader after Rep. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, stepped down from the post to focus on her campaign for governor. In a statement, Breese-Iverson said she was proud of the work the caucus has done over the past few years to stand up […]
Brown calls special session on eviction protections
Gov. Kate Brown will call the Legislature into a special session on eviction protections on Dec. 13, nearly two weeks after the deadline for Oregon tenants affected by the Covid pandemic to seek aid paying rent. Brown’s announcement includes a request for $190 million in additional state funding. The first $90 million would provide additional […]
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum won’t run for governor
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced Monday that she will not run for governor, putting an end to months of rumors. Rosenblum, a Democrat elected to the post in 2012, said in a video posted to her campaign Twitter account that Oregon needs both a strong governor and a strong attorney general – and she knows […]
Portland Democrat Akasha Lawrence Spence tapped as new Oregon state senator
Portland real estate developer Akasha Lawrence Spence will soon be able to list a rare accomplishment on her résumé: serving in both Oregon legislative chambers without ever winning election. County commissioners in Multnomah and Washington counties voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Lawrence Spence to the state Senate vacated last month when Sen. Ginny Burdick, […]
Bend real estate group sues over Oregon ‘love letter’ ban
The Oregon Legislature violated free speech rights when banned Realtors from passing so-called “love letters” from potential homebuyers to sellers, a federal lawsuit filed by a Bend real estate group contends. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Portland late last week, asks the court to block the new law from taking effect […]
Rosenblum names new Oregon deputy attorney general
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum on Wednesday named the head of her civil litigation division to a new post as her deputy. Lisa Udland, who has worked for the state Justice Department since 2002, will take the reins as deputy attorney general on Dec. 1. She’ll be responsible for day-to-day operations, overseeing an agency with nine […]