Politics
Lawmakers return to Salem for meetings on homelessness, addiction and more
State lawmakers will descend on Salem this week for the first time since June for dozens of meetings that will preview some of the most important issues they’ll tackle next year. The marathon of meetings are part of legislative days, three or four days about every eight weeks when lawmakers gather to hear updates on […]
Anti-LGBTQ laws in the US are getting struck down for limiting free speech
Nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures in the U.S. in 2023. Many of those bills seek to reduce or eliminate gender-affirming care for transgender minors or to ban drag performances in places where minors could view them. Most of those bills have not become law. But many of those that have […]
Republican Will Lathrop betting on voter unease with crime, drugs in Oregon attorney general race
A Republican Newberg attorney who spent most of the past decade fighting human trafficking in Africa is running for attorney general, counting on voters’ dissatisfaction with crime, drugs and homelessness to help him win a position his party hasn’t held for decades.
Breese-Iverson stepping down as Oregon House GOP leader
House Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson is stepping down as leader of the Republican caucus after almost two years. Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, announced her resignation Thursday, a few days before lawmakers return to the Capitol for the first time since the legislative session ended in June. She didn’t immediately return a call about the decision, but said […]
Bonamici introduces bill to advance fentanyl awareness curriculum to schools
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici wants to see school districts across the country have a fentanyl awareness curriculum that will help children and youth avoid the lethal, addictive drug that is cheap and easy to find. Bonamici, a Democrat who represents Oregon’s 1st Congressional District, introduced a bill on Thursday that would provide $50 million in […]
Clackamas Democrats on edge after two vandalism incidents in past month
Clackamas County Democrats are on edge after the second attack on their county headquarters in less than a month. On Monday night, someone shattered the Oregon City building’s front door and shot seven holes in its windows. The attack came just weeks after someone threw a brick through another window in late August. Oregon City […]
U.S. House GOP spending bills falter as Congress struggles to avoid a shutdown
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats said Tuesday they are preparing their own short-term spending bill that they believe will garner bipartisan support, a decision that could stave off a partial government shutdown — and as House Republicans failed to advance two spending bills. The Senate move would work as long as the House votes to […]
Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum won’t run for fourth term
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum plans to step down at the end of her term, clearing the way for a new top law enforcement official. Rosenblum, a Democrat, has served as attorney general since June 2012, when she was appointed to finish the term of former Attorney General John Kroger. She won election in 2012, […]
Portland’s new system of representation might create some civic happiness
An upcoming government change could make Portlanders feel more connected to City Hall. A Portland commission just adopted a map specifying council wards, something new for the city where council members in the past have been elected at large. The new system tracks the change in role for council members, since they will no longer […]
Oregon Rep. Khanh Pham running for Senate
State Rep. Khanh Pham, D-Portland, is setting her sights on the Senate. Pham, 45, plans to announce her campaign for the 23rd Senate District in east Portland on Tuesday and hold a launch event in early October. She told the Capital Chronicle she wants to build on what she’s done in the House. “I see […]
A men’s movement takes reins in a nationwide quest to end abortion
Wendell Shrock doesn’t believe in condoms. “We should leave the uterus to God,” the street preacher from Tennessee tells States Newsroom, in front of an abortion clinic outside of Atlanta, in late July. Sweat drips from his cowboy hat into his salt-and-pepper beard that stretches halfway down his red-plaid shirt. The retired police officer is […]
Oregon candidates line up on first day to file for 2024 election
Thursday marked the official start of the 2024 election season in Oregon, with dozens of candidates turning in forms and paying fees to appear on the ballot. Candidates have until March to file for office, but early entries provide a preview of some of the races to expect next year, including Republican infighting in Lane […]