AROUND OREGON: New laws in effect Jan. 1 impact housing, crime, drug addiction and behavioral health needs.
Around Oregon
Oregon lawmakers’ overseas trips funded by lobby groups, Taiwanese government
AROUND OREGON: Special interests covered travel costs for Oregon legislators. Legislators explain were work, not play
DHS offers record $40 million to settle lawsuit from abused foster children
AROUND OREGON: Abused foster children seek to prevent future instances in Oregon in settling lawsuit. Attorneys said state workers failed to act on signs of trauma and injuries
Court rejects Vale woman’s suit over adoption rules on children’s gender beliefs
Jessica Bates sued the state after she was turned down for adoption because she won’t support gender identity choices of the children. A U.S. District Court judge has ruled against her, saying refusing to “respect a child’s LGBTQ+ identity imposes collateral harm” on a child’s development and well-being.
NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish, dams
OREGON NEWS: The Biden administration promises a total of $1 billion for renewable tribal energy production and work towards restoration of imperiled salmon.
Lawmakers, advocates ask state to investigate NW Natural for misleading claims
OREGON NEWS: A coalition is seeking a state investigation of NW Natural. It said the company should publicly disclose to consumers the health and climate risks of natural gas-burning appliances
Some Measure 110 critics want repeal, others want tweaks as legislators mull addiction crisis
Experts and those impacted by the wave of addiction in Oregon called on state legislators to take action, as a special panel began working on the issue this week.
Oregon’s new prison director views housing, jobs after release as essential
OREGON NEWS: A retired sheriff is called to take over the Oregon Department of Corrections. Mike Reese started Nov. 13 and is touring prisons to get immersed in agency issues.
Winter road maintenance will continue with $19 million promise from Kotek, Legislature
OREGON NEWS: More highways will get cleared of snow after all with promise of millions more for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Gov. Tina Kotek announced a deal to put $19 million more into the state agency.
Proposed agreement shows feds consider removing lower Snake River dams
The proposed agreement, leaked this week, indicates the feds are ready to move ahead with removing four dams on the lower Snake River to keep salmon species from extinction. The proposal has sparked strong concerns from GOP congressional representatives worried about impacts on power supply and agriculture.