Oregon Legislature

Lawmakers Want To Crack Down On Logging Protests

Chris Lehman — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:53:41 +0000

Oregon lawmakers want to increase penalties for protesters who disrupt logging on state-owned forestland. The Oregon House Monday approved a measure that makes it a crime to obstruct timber operations. But the bill would still allow protests that don't actually block logging crews.

Logging companies say that protesters can come out and through their actions put timber industry workers at risk by getting in the way of these operations.

Lawmakers Vote For Daily Public School Pledge

Chris Lehman — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:17:11 +0000

Oregon lawmakers want to give students the chance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day.

Oregon Lawmakers Want Shipping And Handling Charges Disclosed

Chris Lehman — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:39:39 +0000

Oregon lawmakers want to make sure you know how much you'll ultimately pay for those nifty gadgets hawked on TV. The Oregon House Wednesday passed a measure that would require companies to fully disclose shipping and handling charges in advance.

Ever drift off to sleep on your couch and wake up to this type of pitch?

"Order during this commercial and we'll give you a complete second set of Samurai Shark and Shears absolutely free of charge.

Oregon Democrats Prepare For Backlash Against Public Pension Proposal

Chris Lehman — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:42:20 +0000

Democrats in the Oregon legislature are bracing themselves for a backlash against a public pension cost cutting proposal they released Monday. The plan would create a sliding scale to cap cost of living increases for retired public workers. Budget-writers hope to apply the savings to education funding.

County Clerks Could Be Appointed Instead Of Elected

Virginia Alvino — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:46:01 +0000

County clerks in Oregon would be appointed rather than elected under a measure in the Oregon legislature. A Committee in Salem heard testimony today on a proposed constitutional amendment.

Education Leaders See Potential For "Adequate" School Funding, But Cuts Possible, Too

Rob Manning — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 01:38:15 +0000

The latest state budget plans released Monday in Salem are drawing mixed reviews from the education community.

New Speaker Makes History As Oregon Legislature Opens

Chris Lehman — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:57:06 +0000

The Oregon House convened Monday morning and quickly made history. Members elected Portland Democrat Tina Kotek to be their speaker.

Kitzhaber Urges Oregon Lawmakers To Keep Cooperating

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:09:21 +0000

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is urging state lawmakers to maintain bipartisan cooperation even though Democrats now control both chambers of the legislature.

Kotek Set To Make History As Nation's First Openly Lesbian House Speaker

Chris Lehman — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 01:03:40 +0000

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon lawmakers are poised to make history Monday by electing the first ever openly lesbian Speaker of the House. Not just in Oregon, but in the country. Portland Democrat Tina Kotek will lead the chamber as lawmakers tackle the state budget, pension reform, and other issues. One issue not on her agenda: Same-sex marriage.
Kotek won't be the first openly gay person to lead a legislative chamber in the U.S. There have been at least four others.

Oregon Legislature Passes 'Nike Bill'

Chris Lehman — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 02:35:17 +0000

The Oregon Legislature has approved a bill designed to give sports apparel maker Nike special tax status. Gov. John Kitzhaber called the legislature into special session in order to act quickly to ensure the Beaverton-based company didn't locate a major expansion in another state.