A voter drops off a ballot on Saturday, October 31, 2020 in Forest Grove. Photo: Chas Hundley Two candidates running for the Portland Community College Board of Directors open elected seat for the Zone 7 position, which encompasses far west Washington County and parts of northwestern Columbia County, have a[Read More…]
Politics
Voter registration deadline is April 27
The May 18 special district election Voters’ Pamphlet. Photo: Chas Hundley The deadline to register to vote or update your registration for the May 18 special district election is Tuesday, April 27. To register or to make a change to your voter registration, visit and complete the online form at[Read More…]
House passes bill to restrict some military surplus use by law enforcement agencies
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon House of Representatives passed a bill prohibiting law enforcement agencies from receiving certain types of U.S. military surplus equipment from the federal government, including armored drones, grenades, and firearms silencers, among other types of gear. Nine House representatives from[Read More…]
Here are the candidates running for office in the May special district election
A freshly painted ballot drop box in Forest Grove. Photo: Chas Hundley The filing window is now closed for the May 18 special district elections. Here are the candidates running for local office that will be on Gales Creek residents’ ballots. The Forest Grove School District has three open seats. Brad[Read More…]
Wyden gives update on unemployment, other benefits from American Rescue Plan
United States Capitol. Photo: Chas Hundley Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) held a hybrid press conference and town hall meeting via Zoom on March 12 where he discussed how the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan directly benefits Oregonians. Wyden said Oregon will receive $5 billion overall from the bill, including the[Read More…]
Diesel fuel under fire in Oregon legislature
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley A bill sponsored by Rep. Karin Power (D-Milwaukie) would prohibit the sale of petroleum diesel fuel for use in any motor vehicle by January 2027, and although no meetings or hearings are scheduled yet by the Joint Committee on Transportation, observers[Read More…]
Oregon’s Rep. Peter DeFazio eyes national infrastructure bill, looks to use earmarks
United States Capitol. Photo: Chas Hundley Oregon U.S. House Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield), chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, told Punchbowl News he plans to introduce a five-year infrastructure and highway bill that authorizes a wide range of national projects. What made this newsworthy prior to the prospective bill’s[Read More…]
U.S. House passes $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill
United States Capitol. Photo: Chas Hundley The U.S. House of Representatives passed early Saturday morning what many observers and lawmakers now call the COVID-19 Economic Relief Act, a $1.9 trillion pandemic stimulus package that provides $1,400 direct payments to most American taxpayers, aid for businesses, cities, schools, and an extension[Read More…]
Oregon Legislative News: Rep. Susan McLain on the challenges of legislating during COVID-19
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Oregon House District 29 Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) said the 2021 legislative session, which is being held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, is, to say the least, a challenging year. Hearings on new bills in the coronavirus era still take place[Read More…]
Rep. Diego Hernandez will resign March 15
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland), the once-rising political star who pundits considered to be a coming household name in Oregon politics, announced on Sunday, February 21 that he would resign from office. The Oregonian reported that his resignation would be effective March[Read More…]