The proposal aims to narrow district funding gaps caused by rising costs and an end of extra federal funding in September.
OREGON
New Oregon water boss targets difficult task of rapidly modernizing outdated laws
Ivan Gall is taking over the Oregon Water Resources Department at a time when the state’s water supply is lower than ever and demand has never been higher.
New wildfire hazard map will be released with few changes after yearlong makeover
A statewide “wildfire risk map” that drew the ire of many Oregonians will return in several weeks with few changes but with a new name following a yearlong makeover.
Oregonians wary of artificial intelligence, survey finds
Oregonians are apprehensive about artificial intelligence, a recent survey from the nonpartisan Oregon Values and Beliefs Center found.
Ballot measures on cannabis unions, higher corporate taxes could be on November ballot
Friday was the deadline for groups to submit the more than 100,000 petition signatures needed to give voters a chance to approve or reject ballot measures. Only two measures – one that would tax corporations more to give $750 annual payments to all Oregonians and one that would restrict union-busting in the cannabis industry – submitted signatures by Friday.
Anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim acts spur surge in reported hate incidents in Oregon
Hotline workers counted 456 hateful incidents directed at Jewish Oregonians, a 144% increase since 2022. The number of anti-Muslim incidents increased by 263%, from 27 in 2022 to 98 in 2023.
Oregon expands free Medicaid health insurance to tens of thousands more people
The state is the third nationwide to expand coverage to people who earn more than limits set by the federal government
Despite mild fire season forecast, agencies tell Oregon leaders they need to invest in workforce
Agency officials said firefighters are hard to hire and retain, and are often left to sleep in their trucks or camp on the job due to a lack of housing
Federal government acknowledges dams devastated Northwest tribes and fish stocks
The federal government this week acknowledged that the construction and operation of 11 hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers during the last century has had a devastating effect on eight Northwest tribes and more than a dozen native fish stocks, some of which have gone extinct.
Oregon Dept. of Forestry sends 19 firefighters to New Mexico
The state sent 19 firefighters, including one local Forest Grove-based firefighter to aid New Mexico as it battles numerous out-of-control wildfires.