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Supreme Court decision on student debt affects hundreds of thousands of Oregonians
The U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the White House student debt relief program will have a wide effect in Oregon. About 500,000 Oregonians qualified for the program, and by late last year when the court halted applications about two-thirds with student debt had applied. The White House said in January that many of those eligible […]
US Supreme Court LGBTQ case resembles one in Oregon – with different outcomes
The decision in the U.S. Supreme Court case involving a designer who refused to create wedding websites for same-sex couples resembles one decided by the Oregon Court of Appeals last year – but the rulings couldn’t be more different. The Oregon case, dating to 2013, involved bakery owners in Gresham who refused to make a […]
Kotek names longtime Northwest educator, administrator to lead Department of Education
UPDATED at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, 20023 with salary and other information. Gov. Tina Kotek named a veteran educator and administrator, Charlene Williams, to be the next Department of Education director. Williams, who needs to be confirmed by the state Senate, would be the first Black woman to serve in that position. In a […]
Federal authorities allocate nearly $700 million to Oregon for high-speed internet
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has earmarked nearly $700 million for high-speed internet service in areas of Oregon that lack service. The money is part of $42.5 billion allocated nationwide as part of a broadband equity program in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure law. Oregon leaders hailed the announcement. “Access to quality internet in 2023 […]
Tears and high-fives: Session ends, but more work to do
The 2023 legislative session is over, drawing smiles and high fives in the wood-paneled chambers. There were tears, too, on Sunday: Lawmakers and observers said the session was one of the most chaotic, frustrating and, at times, suspenseful sessions in recent history. “Six long months ago we came here with high hopes and great expectations,” […]
Data breach could affect 3.5 million Oregonians
UPDATED at 8:13 p.m. June 15, 2023 with statement from Gov. Tina Kotek’s office, at 11:15 a.m. June 16, 2023 with a transportation department response and at 3:07 p.m. June 16, 2023 with at attorney general comment. The personal information of 3.5 million Oregonians with driver’s licenses and state identification cards could be affected by […]
Republicans, Democrats strike a deal. Here’s how it will affect Oregonians.
The deal between legislative Republican and Democratic leaders softens two bills on abortion rights and gun control that had been at their heart of their negotiations. Republicans hailed the deal as a major victory because Democrats agreed to drop a provision that would have allowed minors younger than 15 to obtain an abortion without parental […]
Dozens of advocacy groups disappointed food assistance bill fails
This session, immigrants and dozens of advocacy groups had hoped to get a bill passed to provide food assistance for tens of thousands of Oregon residents currently excluded because of their immigration status. Senate Bill 610 made it through the Senate Committee on Human Services in April on a bipartisan 4-1 vote, with only Republican […]
150 Oregon physicians urge Legislature not to change abortion provisions in House Bill 2002
About 150 physicians oppose watering down a bill on abortion rights and gender-affirming care that is at the heart of the Senate walkout and currently the subject of intense negotiations. Republicans have stalled the Senate by walking out since May 3, partly over House Bill 2002 on abortion, gender-affirming care and other reproductive rights. Democrats […]
Gov. Tina Kotek withdraws request for 50-cent surcharge on alcohol for mental health services
UPDATED on Friday at 7:58 a.m. with Oregon Recovers statement. Gov. Tina Kotek has dropped her request for the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to add another 50-cent surcharge to bottles of alcohol to fund mental health and addiction services. She asked for the surcharge in her February budget. But on Wednesday, she sent a […]
LBGTQ students oppose selection of Republican Rep. Chavez-DeRemer as commencement speaker
A group of LGBTQ students has called on Central Oregon Community College to rescind its commencement address invitation to U.S. Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, saying she has “a record of transphobia and supports anti-transgender policies.” In a letter to the college leaders on Wednesday, they pointed to her support for House Resolution 734, the “Protection […]
All Oregon Capital Chronicle staff win journalism awards
Less than two years old, the Oregon Capital Chronicle just won its second set of regional journalism awards. Three staff members took home second-place awards for their 2022 coverage in the regional Society for Professional Journalists contest for Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Washington. The results of the large regional contest demonstrate that the Capital […]