Politics
Oregon schools may be required to electronically notify families, employees of threats
UPDATED on Monday March 27, 2023 at 4 p.m. with committee vote Locking doors. Slamming window blinds. Teachers telling students to be quiet and hide under desks. As Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, put it: “This isn’t a quote from a George Orwell book. This is a reality for many students.” Oregon lawmakers from both sides […]
GOP bill establishing a federal parental bill of rights passed in U.S. House
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Friday passed a bill designed to empower parents to inspect books and other teaching materials in local public schools, but Democrats sharply criticized the measure, saying it would censor teachers and ban books. The legislation, called the Parents Bill of Rights, passed on a 213-208 vote. It would codify […]
Democratic report on U.S. debt default predicts disrupted benefits for seniors, veterans
WASHINGTON — Congress’ Joint Economic Committee released a report Thursday detailing the economic repercussions of defaulting on the nation’s debt, adding fuel to the fire as Democrats pressed Republicans to address the nation’s borrowing limit without tying action to spending cuts. The report, from Democratic staff on the bipartisan Joint Economic Committee, says that a […]
Most Oregon congressional members support restoring some land rights to Grand Ronde Tribe
A proposal introduced in the U.S. House by Democratic Rep. Andrea Salinas and in the U.S. Senate by Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley would restore the right of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to pursue future land claims and compensation, according to a news release. Salinas said in a release that the bill attempts […]
Oregon lawmakers may ban sales of cosmetics made with animal tests
It may soon be illegal to put lipstick on a pig – and then sell the cosmetic in Oregon. State lawmakers are considering a ban on sales of cosmetics manufactured or developed with animal tests. House Bill 3213, discussed Thursday in the House Judiciary Committee, has wide support among animal lovers and cosmetics dealers, who say the […]
Oregon Legislature proposes tight budget as COVID cash runs out
Updated on Thursday, March 23 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Legislative budget writers plan to trim many state agency budgets while increasing overall spending in the next two years. Co-chairs of the legislative budget-writing committee on Thursday shared the broad strokes of their $31.6 billion spending plan for the two years beginning July 1. It […]
The big divide over guns and violence plays out in the Oregon Legislature
Oregon lawmakers heard civil but sometimes emotional testimony on Wednesday about firearms legislation to prevent gun violence and ban untraceable or detectable guns. Dozens testified, including Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt and representatives from the National Rifle Association. Advocates also spoke, with people representing the gun violence prevention group Moms […]
With homeless bills headed to governor, Oregon Legislature shifts focus to housing
As a bipartisan $200 million package intended to help hundreds of homeless Oregonians find housing heads to Gov. Tina Kotek for her signature, state lawmakers say they’re shifting focus from triaging a homelessness emergency to building more homes. The Senate passed House Bill 2001 and House Bill 5019 on Tuesday night, after the House approved […]
What plaintiffs targeting abortion pill want might not even be possible
At the center of the federal anti-abortion lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the abortion drug mifepristone and the regimen that accounts for the majority of abortions in post-Roe America. That’s why many people are bracing for a ruling from a notoriously anti-abortion judge in Amarillo, Texas. The attention and confusion around […]
Oregon needs a land-use strategy to ensure a supply of development ready land
This year marks a half-century since Oregon Gov. Tom McCall signed into law Senate Bill 100 requiring comprehensive planning, which warned “uncoordinated use of lands in this state threaten the orderly development, the environment of this state and the health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity and welfare of the people of this state.” Back then, the […]
Oregon GOP legislators ask for special prosecutor in bourbon scandal
Oregon Republican legislative leaders on Tuesday asked Gov. Tina Kotek to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate a scandal involving top managers at the state liquor control agency who diverted rare, expensive bourbons for their own use. They also asked that the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who is pursuing […]
Oregon lawmakers hear testimony on abortion, gender-affirming care
A sweeping bill intended to guarantee access to abortion and gender-affirming care in Oregon as other states limit rights received its first hearing in the state House Monday, with hours of often-emotional testimony.