Protestors gather outside the Capitol, objecting to legislation that would impose limits on pollution and increase costs for some industry. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) UPDATE: Gov. Kate Brown directs Oregon State Police to return missing senators to the Capitol. The Senate decides to fine missing senators $500 a day starting Friday.[Read More…]
Tag: OREGON LEGISLATURE
Oregon Legislature in turmoil as Senate Republicans threaten to bolt from Capitol
Loggers rally outside of the Capitol on Wednesday to protest cap and trade. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) SALEM — The Oregon Legislature is mere days away from having to close up shop. But uncertainty has permeated the Capitol for the past couple of days as Senate Republicans threaten to stop proceedings[Read More…]
Major environmental bill affecting Malheur County clears Oregon House
Rep. Karin Power, D-Milwaukie, carries House Bill 2020 on the floor Monday night. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) After months of committee hearings, House Republicans relished their final opportunity to pepper Democrats over their proposed legislation to cap greenhouse gas. They took to the floor to give grand speeches they can[Read More…]
Expanded family leave law would give more workers right to paid time off
SALEM — Nearly all workers in Oregon would gain the right to take paid leave for family and medical reasons under a proposal advancing through the Legislature, but it likely won’t become available until 2023. Under House Bill 2005, employers would have to let an employee — provided she made[Read More…]
Oregon’s tobacco taxes to go up – if voters say so
A proposed tobacco tax hike that was dormant for months was suddenly revived Thursday. Lawmakers were able to amend it to a more palatable version, with the main change being that it will go to the voters. House Bill 2270 passed out of the House Committee on Revenue Thursday morning[Read More…]
Air horns of protest can’t stall legislative action on Oregon climate bill
Log truck drivers rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday to protest House Bill 2020, which will implement a cap and trade program. Despite their presence, the bill passed out of its final committee. (Claire Withycombe/Oregon Capital Bureau) Democrats appear to have the support to move forward on a massive environmental[Read More…]
For Oregon, it’s the last straw – plastic, that is
SALEM — When you get takeout food from your favorite restaurant, you might be handed a thin plastic bag, with foam containers inside containing your meal, plus a plastic straw or two if you ordered a drink. Those straws? Gone. The bag? History. The foam containers? Not going anywhere. State[Read More…]
DOME DIGEST: Straw ban, revenge porn and DNA testing
SALEM — These bills might not make headlines, but they may make a difference to Oregonians all the same. Each of these bills passed their last hurdle this week and now head next to Gov. Kate Brown for her signature. TOW TIME: Senate Bill 396 slashes the amount of time[Read More…]
As Oregon moves towards no clock changes, Malheur County goes its own way
SALEM — A proposal to put Oregon on year-round Daylight Saving Time passed the House Thursday, and now the only hurdles to the change are outside the state. Senate Bill 320, which passed 37-20, now goes to Gov. Kate Brown. But the shift away from twice-yearly changing of the clocks[Read More…]
Adi’s Act goes into the books, focusing on preventing youth deaths in Oregon
SALEM — Legislation intended to prevent youth suicides is set to become law. Adi’s Act — Senate Bill 52 — requires school districts to plan how to address and prevent suicides among students. The legislation is backed by the family of Adi Staub, a transgender student at Grant High School[Read More…]