A coalition funded by prominent Oregonians, including retired Nike co-founder Phil Knight, plans to ask Oregon voters in 2024 to roll back some of Measure 110, the voter-passed law that decriminalized the use of hard drugs. The group, the Coalition to Fix and Improve Ballot Measure 110, announced Monday it[Read More…]
Author: Ben Botkin
Court hears arguments in challenge of Oregon gender identity rule
Jessica Bates of Vale sued the state in April after her objection to a gender-affirming rule prompted the Oregon Department of Human Services to block her from adopting two children. The federal court in Portland heard arguments in the case Aug. 16.
Democrats warn of lost opportunities as GOP-led Senate walkout persists
AT THE CAPITOL: Bills to help wildfire response, expand health care access and prevent homelessness remain in jeopardy as neither side budges.
Session’s end won’t resolve battle over Oregon Senate walkout
Republicans plan to challenge the constitutional amendment in court that voters approved last year to prevent walkouts from halting legislative work.
Senate Republicans willing to return on final day of session as walkout continues
The GOP-led Senate walkout continued on Tuesday, May 23. The Republican lawmakers offered to return to the floor June 25, the final day of the session, to advance some bills – but that proposal got a chilly response.
Kotek calls GOP senators ‘disrespectful’ after few attend walkout meeting
Gov. Tina Kotek met with Republicans and Democrats on Monday but neither side reported progress with the GOP-led Senate walkout in its 14th day.
Senate GOP-led walkout gridlock deepens as 3 senators hit 10 unexcused absences
AT THE CAPITOL: Talks between the two sides have stalled, with Republican leaders accusing Democrats of lacking good faith. State Sen. Lynn Findley, Republican from Vale, was part of the walkout.
Oregon Senate grinds to halt in second day of walkout
Republicans leading the walkout from the Oregon Senate complain that bills fail to follow a readability law.
Secretary of state releases cannabis audit as questions swirl over her consulting
Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, a Democrat, is being paid by a cannabis company for consulting, which the agency says is legal though it appears to be rar
Dozens testify against firearm bill that critics say tries to circumvent the courts
A proposal in the Oregon Legislature would enact a gun permit system as Measure 114 is tied up in the courts. The bill sparked debate March 27 in a Senate committee hearing.