United States Capitol. Photo: Chas Hundley The U.S. House of Representatives passed early Saturday morning what many observers and lawmakers now call the COVID-19 Economic Relief Act, a $1.9 trillion pandemic stimulus package that provides $1,400 direct payments to most American taxpayers, aid for businesses, cities, schools, and an extension[Read More…]
By Daniel Pearson - Banks Post
Oregon Legislative News: Rep. Susan McLain on the challenges of legislating during COVID-19
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Oregon House District 29 Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) said the 2021 legislative session, which is being held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, is, to say the least, a challenging year. Hearings on new bills in the coronavirus era still take place[Read More…]
Legislative news brief: Bills on landlord rent-forgiveness credits, right to repair, more
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Senate Republicans introduced 16 bills presented as tax relief measures for Oregonians struggling in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing recession, now referred to by many economists as the COVID-19 Recession. The Office of Oregon State Republicans issued[Read More…]
Rep. Diego Hernandez will resign March 15
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland), the once-rising political star who pundits considered to be a coming household name in Oregon politics, announced on Sunday, February 21 that he would resign from office. The Oregonian reported that his resignation would be effective March[Read More…]
ODF urges landowners to prevent beetle infestation in storm-downed Douglas Fir
A Douglas-fir tree struck by lightning in Columbia County. Photo: Oregon Department of Forestry The Oregon Department of Forestry says the 2021 ice storm, which brought down many large-diameter Douglas-firs across the state created the potential for an outbreak of the native Douglas-fir beetle. Christine Buhl, a Department of Forestry[Read More…]
Legislative news brief: Bill would bolster creation of mental health crisis teams
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley District 30 Rep. Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro) is one of three chief sponsors of a new bill, House Bill 2417, that would create mobile mental health crisis intervention teams and help cities and counties throughout the state establish teams of their own. [Read More…]
Legislative news brief: Bill would put same-day voter registration on the ballot
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley A bill being considered by the Legislative Assembly proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution allowing state residents to register to vote the same day as a general election. HJR 11 would allow people 18 years old or older who are[Read More…]
Legislative news brief: Bills in the legislature regarding law enforcement
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Legislature in the current legislative session is considering several bills related to crime and policing, including one that would establish a commission to compensate people who have been wrongfully convicted. Here are just a few bills worth keeping an[Read More…]
Legislative news brief: Fight shaping up for Oregon timber industry in 2021 Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Gales Creek Overlook in the Tillamook State Forest. File photo: Chas Hundley//Banks Post A slew of bills in committees at the Oregon Legislature could reverse tax cuts for harvested timber that have been on the books for scores of years, and that observers say has kept nine counties in[Read More…]
Legislative news briefs: Redistricting deadline looms, Banks’ representative sponsors education bills
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Legislature is in danger of being cut out of the process of drawing up new legislative and congressional voting districts because 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data likely won’t be available until after July 1 — it was supposed to[Read More…]
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