Suzanne Weber, representing Banks, Timber, Buxton, Manning, and the North Coast and Columbia County, will not be eligible to run again for her seat in 2026 after ten unexcused absences in the State Senate.
Salem
Secretary of State’s office cannabis audit released amid questions about consulting job
The Oregon Secretary of State’s office released an audit of the state’s regulation of the cannabis industry on Friday morning on the heels of revelations that the agency’s head, Shemia Fagan, accepted a side job as consultant to a cannabis company in February.
Oregon Legislature proposes tight budget as COVID cash runs out
Co-chairs of the legislative budget-writing committee on Thursday shared the broad strokes of their $31.6 billion spending plan for the two years beginning July 1. It starts with 2.5% reductions to current agency spending, cuts that would primarily be achieved by not filling vacancies.
House passes bill to allow Oregonians to pump their own gas
Oregon drivers who for decades have been banned from touching gas pumps could soon have the right to fuel their own cars, under a bill the state House overwhelmingly approved Monday.
Oregon lawmakers aim to address domestic terrorism and paramilitary activity
State lawmakers have introduced two bills that would address an individual act of domestic terrorism and coordinated paramilitary activity in Oregon.
Oregon Republican representative accused of sexual abuse stripped of committees
Since Nov. 7, Brian Stout, R-Columbia City, has been subject to a five-year order of protection from a former campaign volunteer who reported that he had sexually assaulted her and threatened her life. A Columbia County judge will continue hearing arguments over whether the order should remain in place later this spring.
Housing will be Oregon Legislature’s top focus in 2023, Democratic leader says
Rep. Julie Fahey, D-Eugene and the House majority leader, recently met with White House officials and more than dozen lawmakers from other states to discuss a housing crisis that exists across the nation but is felt most acutely on the West Coast.
Local legislators expected to be sworn in next week
As Oregon gears up for a legislative session in two weeks, several local legislators will be sworn in January 9. Find out who’s representing your interests in Salem.
Oregon still collecting more tax revenue than economists anticipated
Oregon tax collections continue to surge, with Oregonians paying $1.2 billion more in income taxes this spring than last year. The increasing state revenues aren’t due to higher taxes. Instead, according to Oregon’s quarterly economic forecast, many people cashed in assets in late 2021, causing a short-term income boost. Most of[Read More…]
ODOT begins study process after passage of Highway 6 bill
With the ink barely dry on Governor Kate Brown’s signature on a bill requiring the Oregon Department of Transportation to study Highway 6 and make repair recommendations to the legislature no later than September 15, 2023, ODOT is already at work on their newly mandated task. “ODOT has issued a[Read More…]
