Salem - The Banks Post

Oregon Senate passes $4.3 billion transportation package

The Oregon Senate on Monday in a 18-11 vote passed a long-awaited transportation bill that would update the state’s funding sources for road maintenance and operations by increasing taxes on gas, titling and registering vehicles, payroll, and more.

By Mia Maldonado

/ 29 Sep 2025

Oregon Senate passes $4.3 billion transportation package

Oregon Senate transportation vote postponed once again in special session

All Democrats need to be present if Republicans remain united against the transportation bill.

By Mia Maldonado

/ 17 Sep 2025

Oregon Senate transportation vote postponed once again in special session

House fumbles first day of special session for transportation funding, labor unions irate

Members of labor unions representing state transportation workers who came to the capitol Friday were angry and worried their jobs could be lost.

By Alex Baumhardt - Oregon Capital Chronicle

/ 30 Aug 2025

House fumbles first day of special session for transportation funding, labor unions irate

Latest Oregon economic forecast shows steady growth, uncertain future

Economists say there’s a 50% chance the state pays out another kicker in 2026.

By Julia Shumway

/ 30 May 2024

Latest Oregon economic forecast shows steady growth, uncertain future

Guide to the 2024 Oregon legislative session

Oregon lawmakers headed to Salem early Monday morning for the start of a 35-day sprint to pass budget fixes and bills addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the state. Here's how to follow along.

By Julia Shumway

/ 6 Feb 2024

Guide to the 2024 Oregon legislative session

Oregon Secretary of State launches database with campaign finance violations

Oregon’s new secretary of state plans to publish monthly databases with information about campaign finance scofflaws.

By Julia Shumway

/ 15 Aug 2023

Oregon Secretary of State launches database with campaign finance violations

Secretary of state will disqualify legislators with 10 unexcused absences from running in 2024

The Oregon secretary of state said Tuesday that Republican state senators who had at least 10 unexcused absences during this year’s session will not be eligible to run in 2024. That number includes Banks' State Senator Suzanne Weber.

By Lynne Terry - Oregon Capital Chronicle

/ 9 Aug 2023

Secretary of state will disqualify legislators with 10 unexcused absences from running in 2024

Oregon Gov. Kotek will let expanded self-serve gas become law, veto Salem transit and sex work studies

Gov. Tina Kotek won’t veto a hotly debated bill to let more Oregonians pump their own gas, but she does plan to nix funding for studies on a Salem streetcar and decriminalizing prostitution.

By Julia Shumway

/ 28 Jul 2023

Oregon Gov. Kotek will let expanded self-serve gas become law, veto Salem transit and sex work studies

State ethics watchdogs launch investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan

State ethics watchdogs have launched a full investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan’s conduct while in office, including her $10,000-per-month consulting gig for marijuana entrepreneurs and whether she accurately reported her income and expenses to the state.

By Julia Shumway

/ 18 Jul 2023

State ethics watchdogs launch investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan

Oregon self-service gasoline bill heads to governor’s desk

Oregonians may soon have the right to pump gas into their vehicles on their own throughout the state, under a bill that cleared the Legislature on Wednesday with approval in the Senate.

By Ben Botkin

/ 21 Jun 2023

Oregon self-service gasoline bill heads to governor’s desk

Banks' Senator Suzanne Weber joins senators barred from running for reelection in 2026

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.

By Chas Hundley

/ 19 May 2023

Banks' Senator Suzanne Weber joins senators barred from running for reelection in 2026

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.

By Ben Botkin

/ 1 May 2023

Secretary of State’s office cannabis audit released amid questions about consulting job