A 24-hour ballot drop site at the Banks Public Library. Photo: Chas Hundley The filing window is now closed for the May 18 special district elections, and it’s a competitive field this time around. Here are the candidates running for local office in the Banks area and surrounding communities. Six candidates[Read More…]
politics
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…]
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…]
U.S. House passes $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill
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…]
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…]
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…]
Kotek boots Nearman from posts, fines him in Oregon House
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) is calling for the immediate resignation of Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence) after Capitol security cameras showed a video of the House representative opening a back door to the Capitol, allowing rioters to enter the building[Read More…]
President Donald Trump impeached a historic second time
The White House on Sunday, Sept. 30 2018. Photo: Chas Hundley President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, a second time for the president, and a first for the nation. No other president has been impeached twice. Several House Republicans joined their Democratic Party colleagues in[Read More…]
Oregon legislature prepares for 2021 legislative session
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley This year’s legislative session will be the first full session since COVID-19 caused the state to go into lockdown, and as a result of the pandemic the Legislature on January 7 released its 2021 safety plan, which aims to ensure transparency[Read More…]
