Politics
How an election denier’s fan club got its start in the states
WASHINGTON — The suddenly famous election denier behind the circulation of a PowerPoint filled with plans to overturn the 2020 election has a long history of election subversion attempts in multiple states. Retired Army Col. Phil Waldron also has close ties to former President Donald Trump’s legal team and served as one of its key […]
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 […]
Haaland promises governors federal help for fires, drought
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland pledged federal resources and cooperation with governors from 19 Western states to tackle wildfire resilience, drought management, oil and gas cleanup efforts and other issues made more difficult by climate change. Speaking at the Western Governors Association meeting outside San Diego on Thursday, Haaland touted funding for Interior priorities in […]
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 […]
Oregon state senator asked to act on shifting counties to Idaho – a request he sought
An eastern Oregon legislator is being called on his declaration that he would advance the idea of moving portions of Oregon to Idaho – if county commissioners asked. Such legislation would be a big step forward for a quixotic political effort to reject governance by Oregon officials and seek the embrace of a more Republican, […]
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 […]
Lessons from the past show using Oregon pension investments for political points isn’t wise
Suppose you’re retired and living off your modest 401-K savings. And suppose I suggested you sell your stocks in fossil fuel corporations. You might check your account and discover energy stocks are up more than 20 percent this year. Then you might then tell me you’d feel better if I kept my nose out of […]
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 […]