The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Legislature is in danger of being cut out of the process of drawing up new legislative and congressional voting districts because 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data likely won’t be available until after July 1 — it was supposed to[Read More…]
Author: Daniel Pearson - Gales Creek Journal
Newly-elected House District 32 Oregon House Rep. Suzanne Weber appointed to House Committee on Education
Suzanne Weber. Photo courtesy of the Suzanne Weber campaign Newly sworn-in House District 32 Oregon House Representative Suzanne Weber (Republican/Independent-Tillamook) has been appointed by Speaker of the House Tina Kotek (D-Portland) to the position of vice-chair of the House Committee on Education. Kotek did not release an official statement as[Read More…]
Kotek boots Nearman from posts, fines him in Oregon House
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) is calling for the immediate resignation of Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence) after Capitol security cameras showed a video of the House representative opening a back door to the Capitol, allowing rioters to enter the building[Read More…]
Oregon legislature prepares for 2021 legislative session
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley This year’s legislative session will be the first full session since COVID-19 caused the state to go into lockdown, and as a result of the pandemic the Legislature on January 7 released its 2021 safety plan, which aims to ensure transparency[Read More…]
Legislature passes COVID-19, wildfire bills during one day session
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Legislature passed a group of spending bills providing a six-month extension to the moratorium on evictions, allowing restaurants and bars to sell cocktails to go, financial relief for Oregonians following last summer’s wildfire devastation, and removing financial liability from[Read More…]
Commissioners approve funding for Washington Co. Sheriff’s Office body cameras
A Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Photo: WCSO The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted December 15 to authorize $1.397 million in spending through 2026 to purchase and deploy body cameras to the Washington County Sheriff’s 210 deputies, and to outfit 129 patrol vehicles with similar technology. A
HD 32 Rep. Mitchell says lawmakers committed to ending session tonight
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Outgoing House District 32 Representative Tiffiny Mitchell (D-Astoria) called the Gales Creek Journal with an update on the proceedings at the capitol in today’s legislative special session. Lawmakers are meeting in Salem today to vote on an $800 million spending package
Legislators head to Salem for one-day session on Monday
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Oregon lawmakers will meet in a special session in Salem Monday, Dec. 21 to vote on — among a handful of other bills — an $800 million relief package to help Oregonians who continue experiencing financial distress since the outbreak of[Read More…]
New Year’s ‘first day’ hikes, whale watching at state parks altered due to COVID-19
The entrance to Stub Stewart State Park. Photo: Chas Hundley Two Oregon New Year’s Day traditions are being altered this year due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. The annual First Day Hikes event, started by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) in 2012, will take place without[Read More…]
Gov. Brown calls for emergency legislative session
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Governor Kate Brown announced she will convene a special session of the Oregon Legislature at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 21 to ask lawmakers to provide $800 million in financial relief for Oregonians who are suffering through the COVID-19 pandemic, and for[Read More…]