Gov. Tina Kotek has named seasoned education policy makers Melissa Goff and Pooja Bhatt to lead improvement efforts for schools and early childhood initiatives.
Around Oregon
New Oregon laws kick in to expand health care and help crime victims
The new year brought some new laws, including ones that provide dental care, help crime victims, and offer home nurse visits for newborns.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek takes office with a promise to ‘make things better’
Tina Kotek plans to declare a homelessness state of emergency and sign an executive order calling for more housing on her first full day as governor on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Housing will be Oregon Legislature’s top focus in 2023, Democratic leader says
Oregon is short thousands of homes and legislators may focus on building houses for workers when they convene in Salem for the 2023 legislative session.
Federal bill will boost projects for TVCC, food hub, irrigation district in Malheur County
Congress is expected to approve a budget bill that send millions of dollars to efforts in Malheur County. Funding includes allocations to help construct a new nursing school building at TVCC, create a community food hub, and jumpstart a key irrigation project.
Audit: Community colleges need more oversight after performance, enrollment declines
The Secretary of State’s Office said the commission in charge of Oregon’s 17 community colleges needs to improve student achievement and access, as graduation rates and enrollment decline.
Restraining order extended on Measure 114′s gun permit program, background check restriction
A state judge in Burns continues his injunction to stop provisions of Measure 114 in a decision at odds with a Portland federal judge. For now, he has blocked the requirement for a permit to buy a gun in Oregon.
Gov. Kate Brown commutes 17 death sentences, ending the state’s death row
Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday, Dec. 13, announced clemency for 17 people on death row. They will instead serve life without parole. She has made clemency a main focus of her governorship, issuing pardons or commutations for nearly 50,000 people.
Kotek announces 36-county listening tour, framework for first year as governor
Gov.-elect Tina Kotek said housing, mental health, addiction and schools will lead her priority list. She plans to visit every county in the state during her first year in office, she told business leaders in Portland on Monday, Dec. 12.
Oregon lawmakers approve $10 million for public defender crisis
The legislative Emergency Board has approved $10 million to address the shortage of public defenders. The Pubic Defense Services Commission needs to report to lawmakers next month on its plans for using the money.
