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Forest accord seen as good for Oregon woodlands, wildlife – but also for how collaboration can work
After nearly a year of negotiations, representatives of timber companies, small forestland owners, and conservation and fishing organizations reached an agreement through the Private Forest Accord. The negotiations were an effort to avoid an expensive and messy fight at the ballot box over competing initiatives around Oregon’s forest laws. The agreement proposes changes to the […]
Democrats in Oregon delegation applaud infrastructure passage, lone Republican silent
Much of Oregon’s Congressional delegation sees nothing but good news for the state in the passage of the federal infrastructure legislation. The U.S. House on Friday passed the $1.2 trillion package to fix roads, airports, railways and broadband across the country. The state’s four Democrat representatives voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including […]
In D.C.: U.S. House sends $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill to Biden for his signature
WASHINGTON—The U.S. House cleared a $1.2 trillion physical infrastructure bill and took a major step toward passage of a landmark $1.85 trillion social spending and climate bill late Friday, following months of wrangling between Democrats’ progressive and moderate wings. The votes marked a milestone in the marathon negotiations among members of the House Democratic caucus—and […]
Some of Oregon’s most powerful state boards getting new members
A McMinnville hay farmer, a Wilsonville dentist and the former deputy director of the state Agriculture Department are among dozens of unelected Oregonians set to wield power over state lands, government ethics and public pensions. Gov. Kate Brown’s nominees to multiple state boards and commissions are up for confirmation in the state Senate later this […]
Time running out for Oregon families to get life-changing monthly payments
As the pandemic continues into its second year, Oregon families need money in their pockets now to cover the basics – accessing food and buying clothing, or meeting housing, utilities, and education costs. Findings in October from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities show that 89% of low-income families in Oregon are getting relief […]
Oregonians talk climate wins, losses as Congress expected to vote on Build Back Better package
Oregon politicians, activists and businesses have mixed feelings of hope and deflation ahead of Tuesday’s expected historic vote on federal climate spending. Congress is scheduled to consider the long awaited Build Back Better Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The former, which includes $555 billion dedicated to slowing the growing threat of […]
Oregon’s emergency management director testifies to Congress about wildfire issues
WASHINGTON — The federal government should re-examine its emergency response systems to better assist communities at risk from the growing threats of wildfire, state and local wildfire responders told members of Congress Tuesday. Wildfires across the United States have become larger, more intense and longer-lasting this century in part due to changes in the global […]
Biden’s new public lands chief faced with building bridges after confirmation battle
Before she inspired partisan theatrics in the U.S. Senate as the Bureau of Land Management nominee, Tracy Stone-Manning built a reputation in Montana — her home for more than 30 years — as a consensus-builder. Stone-Manning stood out as an expert at bridging divides between conservationists and loggers, miners and recreational land users, in a […]
Oregon should act to slow drain of college talent that is heading out of state
Buried amidst the excitement of our state securing a sixth Congressional district, the 2020 Census data flashed a warning sign for Oregon’s future. For the first time ever, deaths outnumbered births in the state in 2020, leaving Oregon completely dependent on in-migration for population (and, in turn, economic) growth. There are many reasons for this […]
Oregon joins 18 other states in deploying task force to combat labor trafficking
Ernesto Hernández spent 15 of his last 20 years in the U.S. working with the Mexican Consulate in Portland on human trafficking issues. He visited farms where workers slept 20 to a room, had little to eat. He encountered workers who had wages stolen and hours of overtime go unpaid. He says it’s gotten worse. […]
Oregon Farm Bureau names new lobbyist
The Oregon Farm Bureau has appointed a new director of government affairs. In her new role, Lauren Smith will be responsible for several issues, including wildfire, wildlife taxes and transportation. “Lauren’s role will be to advocate for and with our farm bureau members at the Capitol, in the courts and within regulatory agencies,” Anne Marie […]
Government food benefits go up but net increase not so much
Low-income families in Oregon will be able to afford slightly more groceries this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture boosted its food assistance on Oct. 1 after determining that monthly payments fell woefully short, putting a healthy diet out of reach for recipients. In Oregon, a household of four receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition […]