Author
Oregon legislators will try again to restore prisoners’ voting rights
Oregon legislators stymied in their attempt earlier this year to restore voting rights to thousands of incarcerated Oregonians will try again in 2022. Rep. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, announced Thursday that she plans to introduce legislation for the February session of the Oregon Legislature to restore voting rights to people serving time for felonies. If passed, […]
In race to succeed DeFazio in Congress, Airbnb executive in, Oregon legislators out
Contenders for Rep. Peter DeFazio’s congressional district are shifting. A policy executive at Airbnb is in the race and several legislators have opted out while Democrats in southwest Oregon weigh their odds for the newly open seat. Andrew Kalloch, a Harvard-educated lawyer now living in Eugene, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday […]
Kristof seeks audit of all Oregon agencies dealing with homelessness
A day after two legislative Democrats asked Secretary of State Shemia Fagan to audit the state department responsible for sending rental assistance to landlords, a candidate for governor issued a broader request: audit every state agency that plays a role in preventing homelessness. Democrat Nick Kristof, a former New York Times columnist who returned to […]
Sen. Betsy Johnson will resign to focus on run for governor
Betsy Johnson will end her 20-year career in the state Legislature on Wednesday to focus all her attention on her independent run for governor. Johnson, who left the Democratic Party in October to launch her campaign, said in a video shared Tuesday that she would resign as state senator to ensure her constituents had someone […]
Oregon legislators extend eviction protection, approve $400 million for landlords, farmers
Thousands of Oregon renters who faced the threat of receiving an eviction notice for Christmas are safe after the Legislature voted Monday to extend a safe harbor period and allocate another $215 million toward stopping evictions. Along with providing more money, the chairs of the House and Senate housing committees sent Secretary of State Shemia […]
With thousands facing eviction from their homes, Oregon Legislature coming to the rescue
Salem resident Christy Hernandez wants Oregon legislators to know the state failed her. In March, the mother of three young boys wrote to lawmakers urging them to give families like hers more time to catch up on back rent tand protect them from eviction as they struggled with pandemic-caused job losses. That legislation ultimately passed, […]
Marion, Yamhill commissioners pick former legislative staffer as new state representative
Former legislative staffer Jessica George will return to the Capitol, this time as a state representative appointed Friday by the Yamhill and Marion county commissioners. George, a Republican who works at her family hazelnut farm and packing company in Newberg, will finish the term of former Keizer Rep. Bill Post, who resigned last month after […]
Salem City Councilor Chris Hoy wins state House appointment
Chris Hoy, a Salem city councilor, on Wednesday won an appointment to the state House to finish the term of Democratic Rep. Brian Clem, who resigned in November to care for his mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Hoy, a retired law enforcement officer, won a special election to the city council in 2017. He told […]
Oregon airports big and small ready to improve with millions coming from infrastructure package
The new federal infrastructure package set to bring more than $200 million to Oregon airports couldn’t have come at a better time for Eugene’s Mahlon Sweet Field. The airport, already the second largest in Oregon, just added service from an eighth airline and started a year-long study into what it needs to meet current and […]
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 […]