Photo courtesy of ODOT The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles issued a news release that says as early as May 5 many Oregonians will be able to go online to renew their driver’s licenses, permits, and identification cards. Other credentials available to renew online are commercial driver licenses (CDL), instruction[Read More…]
By Daniel Pearson - Banks Post
After 2020 wildfires, seedling challenges remain
Burned trees at the Powerline Fire near Hagg Lake. Photo: FGF&R The Oregon Department of Forestry says demand is unprecedented for forest tree seedlings following the 2020 Oregon wildfires, creating difficulties for reforestation with as many as 140 million seedlings needed to replace what the fires consumed. Kyle Abraham, chief[Read More…]
West Coast states aim to improve online tools for rural transit riders
A Columbia County Rider bus in Banks on April 15, 2019. Photo: Chas Hundley ODOT issued a news release saying the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) awarded a $5.3 million ITS4US grant to Oregon, Washington and California. The $5.3 million the states received is paying to develop software using open-sourced tools[Read More…]
Wyden gives update on unemployment, other benefits from American Rescue Plan
United States Capitol. Photo: Chas Hundley Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) held a hybrid press conference and town hall meeting via Zoom on March 12 where he discussed how the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan directly benefits Oregonians. Wyden said Oregon will receive $5 billion overall from the bill, including the[Read More…]
Diesel fuel under fire in Oregon legislature
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley A bill sponsored by Rep. Karin Power (D-Milwaukie) would prohibit the sale of petroleum diesel fuel for use in any motor vehicle by January 2027, and although no meetings or hearings are scheduled yet by the Joint Committee on Transportation, observers[Read More…]
Past-due PGE customers may qualify for matching grant to pay bills
Power lines near Forest Grove. File photo: Chas Hundley Portland General Electric sent an email to some customers on March 10 announcing it will match customer’s payments on past-due balances between April 1 and June 30. “It’s been a tough year, but you’re not alone in dealing with your past-due[Read More…]
Legislature looking to the future of fueling vehicles
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley A bill that appears to be fast-tracked by a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment would allow public utilities to charge consumers for the cost of building new electric vehicle charging stations and supplying them with power. Senate[Read More…]
Oregon Democrats propose $17 minimum wage
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley A bill referred to the Oregon speaker’s desk that has yet to be assigned to a committee would raise the state’s minimum wage, currently $11.25 per hour at its lowest, to $17 an hour, which is an annual salary of about[Read More…]
County Board to host town hall; county installs new economic development director
Matt Craigie. Photo courtesy Washington County The Washington County Board of Commissioners is hosting a virtual town hall on March 6 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the county’s Zoom platform with commissioners participating. The county commissioners plan to discuss their 2021 priorities followed by a live Q&A with[Read More…]
Oregon’s Rep. Peter DeFazio eyes national infrastructure bill, looks to use earmarks
United States Capitol. Photo: Chas Hundley Oregon U.S. House Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield), chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, told Punchbowl News he plans to introduce a five-year infrastructure and highway bill that authorizes a wide range of national projects. What made this newsworthy prior to the prospective bill’s[Read More…]
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