Wrongfully convicted Oregonians will now be eligible for financial compensation for time of false imprisonment. On March 24, Gov. Kate Brown signed the Oregon Justice for Exonerees Act, which allows compensation for wrongful convictions. Victims will be able to receive money, housing assistance, counseling, a sealing of their records and[Read More…]
Oregon
Studded tire season ends Thursday, March 31
The deadline to remove studded tires from your vehicle is March 31, the Oregon Department of Transportation said. While the deadline has moved in the past due to the pandemic, this year, the deadline show’s that it’s business as usual at ODOT when it comes to getting the road-chewing studded[Read More…]
State takes next steps on plan to protect threatened species in western forests
A plan to protect critical animal habitat in nearly 640,000 acres of western Oregon state forests is moving towards its final stages. An environmental impact review of the Western Forests Habitat Conservation Plan was released March 18, and Oregonians have 60 days to submit their thoughts and concerns to the National Oceanic[Read More…]
Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen returns to work after weeks of recovery
Patrick Allen, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, returned to duty this week after a long absence. The agency declined to respond to requests for more information. He was working at his home in Sherwood throughout much of the pandemic. It’s not clear whether he is continuing to work[Read More…]
Oregon Legislature passes bill mandating overtime pay for farmworkers
Oregon is headed towards becoming the eighth state to mandate overtime pay for farmworkers. The pay bill passed its final legislative hurdle on Thursday and heads to Gov. Kate Brown, who appears ready to sign the new requirement into law. That means an estimated 86,000 farmworkers next year will get[Read More…]
Oregon will divest Russian investments, Treasurer Read says
Oregon will dispose of about $137 million invested with the Russian government and Russian companies over the country’s invasion of Ukraine, state Treasurer Tobias Read announced Thursday. The money is tied up in Russian bonds, public equity and currency and with Russian companies represents about 1/10th of 1% or the[Read More…]
Oregon, California, Washington will lift most mask mandates on March 12
In a surprise move, Gov. Kate Brown said Monday that Oregon, Washington and California will jointly lift their indoor mask mandate on March 12. Masks will no longer be required in schools but state officials will recommend they still be used, according to a news release. The joint announcement reflects[Read More…]
Proposal to pay farmworkers overtime overcomes first hurdle in Legislature
A controversial plan to require overtime pay that would affect the 86,000 farmworkers in Oregon advanced on Tuesday along partisan lines. All seven Democrats on the House Committee on Business and Labor voted for House Bill 4002, which would require owners to pay farmworkers time and a half for hours over[Read More…]
Peak of omicron hospitalizations and cases in Oregon is over, forecast says
The surge of people hospitalized or infected with omicron is over, according to the latest forecast from Oregon Health & Science University. The forecast, which influences the policy of the Oregon Health Authority, indicates that Oregon reached its peak, and the number of Oregonians infected or hospitalized has started to[Read More…]
Farmworkers plead for overtime pay as ag industry warns of harmful impacts
Emotional and passionate testimony stretched into the night Tuesday during a legislative hearing on a proposal to require overtime pay for Oregon’s farmworkers. Legislation put forward by two Democratic lawmakers would pay farmworkers time and a half after working 40 hours a week and would include tax credits for companies[Read More…]
