|
Oregon News
POLITICS
Oregon Rep. Courtney Neron seeks Senate appointment
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Julia Shumway
State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, hopes to jump to the Senate after her seatmate’s death from cancer earlier this month.
Neron, who is in her fourth term in the House and chairs the House Education Committee, announced her interest in an appointment to finish Sen. Aaron Woods’ term on Monday.
Local Democratic party officials will meet Sunday to choose nominees to finish Woods’ Senate term, which expires in January 2027. The final choice will be made by county commissioners from Clackamas, Washington and Yamhill counties. The appointee must be a Democrat who lives within the Senate district.
Senate Bill would create program for lumber graders
Wallowa County Chieftan
The Oregon Senate on Monday, April 28, passed a bill to establish a pilot lumber-grading training program. “This bill opens the door for small sawmill operators to participate in local housing solutions,” said Sen. Todd Nash, R-Enterprise, the bill’s sponsor. “Forty years ago, Eastern Oregon had 69 mills. Today, only seven remain. This is a practical step to support rural economies and increase housing options using locally sourced materials.” Senate Bill 1061, otherwise known as the Oregon Forests to Homes Act, would operate through Oregon State University’s Extension Service, in partnership with the Department of Consumer and Business Services. It would allow individuals who complete a one-day training course to become certified to grade lumber.
OR housing crisis: Senate passes bill streamlining housing development
KOIN | By Michaela Bourgeois
Amid Oregon’s housing crisis, the Oregon Senate passed a bipartisan bill on Monday to streamline housing development.
Under Senate Bill 974, local governments would have 90 days to make decisions on land-use development applications for housing in urban areas. The bill also eases requirements for design review for building style and landscaping while maintaining other standards for size, fire codes and safety regulations.
“Cutting down the timeline to break ground is a game-changer for families waiting on housing and builders ready to get to work,” said Sen. Dick Anderson (R – Lincoln City), who led the bill. “Today’s vote sends a clear message: Oregon is ready to build.”
Oregon bill designed to expedite land use processes passes Senate amid opposition from Lake Oswego, Wilsonville
Lake Oswego Review | By Corey Buchanan
A bill opposed by the cities of Lake Oswego and Wilsonville that is aimed to quicken land use processes in urban areas has passed the Oregon Senate.
The bill would set a 90-day deadline for decisions on housing applications in urban areas and ease design review requirements. It would also issue the award of attorney fees to project applicants if engineering plans or land use approvals for residential development are not processed timely, and would require governments to waive design review process for things related to “aesthetics, landscaping, building orientation, parking or building design” for urban developments with 20 or more units. Local governments would also be allowed to waive processes for smaller developments.
“Cutting down the timeline to break ground is a game-changer for families waiting on housing and builders ready to get to work,” said state Sen. Dick Anderson, R–Lincoln City, in the press release. “Today’s vote sends a clear message: Oregon is ready to build.”
Sen. Anderson: SB 974 advances, speeds housing construction
Oregon Catalyst
Today, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 974, a bipartisan housing reform bill led by Senator Dick Anderson (R–Lincoln City) to speed up the housing approval process and eliminate unnecessary delays that drive up costs and limit supply.
“This is a big win for every Oregonian who’s tired of waiting for solutions to our housing crisis,” said Senator Anderson, vice chair of the Senate Housing Committee. “Senate Bill 974 makes it easier and faster to build homes where they’re needed most.”
OR Senate passes housing bill
Elkhorn Media Group | By Terry Murry
The Oregon State Senate passed a bipartisan housing reform bill unanimously Monday. The vote in favor of Senate Bill 974 was unanimous.
The legislation reduces to 45 days the time under which a city or county must decide land use applications for single-family dwellings. The measure was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama (D-Portland) and Sen. Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City).
Anderson said if it becomes law, the measure will speed up the housing approval process and eliminate unnecessary delays that drive up costs and limit supply.
Proposal to raise lodging tax by 1% could bring in $30 million annually for wildlife protection
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
Oregon lawmakers are considering a proposal to increase by 1% a state tax on hotel, camping and Airbnb stays that would raise up to $30 million a year for state wildlife conservation.
The proposal has garnered widespread support among hunting, fishing and conservation groups, who say the state has long underfunded species conservation programs at Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Department, leaving gamesmen, nonprofits and wealthy donors to fill the gaps. It’s also received widespread opposition among local travel, tourism and restaurant associations, who say an increase in the tax will deter visitors and businesses from planning trips and hosting conferences and events in Oregon.
House Bill 2977 is one of several bills being considered this session that would add to or alter the state’s 22-year-old transient lodging tax, which is currently 1.5% of the amount charged for occupying a hotel, short-term rentals like Airbnbs, and tent and RV camping sites.
Several other proposals in the Legislature would redirect some revenue from the tax — which generates about $40 million a year — to community infrastructure, roads, police and firefighters in tax districts that see the highest volume of tourists.
Other proposals in the Legislature would also allow the state’s lodging tax revenue to go beyond Travel Oregon programs and marketing, and be used for new purposes that support infrastructure in tourism-heavy communities.
Two bills proposed by state Sen, Suzanne Weber, R-Tillamook — Senate Bill 453 and Senate Bill 457 — direct the Legislature to study the permissible uses of the state lodging tax, including the possibility of allowing a larger proportion of those dollars to fund public safety programs for police and firefighters. Both bills have been sitting in the Senate Revenue and Finance committee, where they aren’t subject to typical legislative decision-making deadlines.
Senate passes bill to allow Oregon governor to fill vacant U.S. Senate seat
OPB | By Bryce Dole
The Oregon Senate on Monday passed a bill that would require Oregon’s governor to appoint a temporary replacement if a U.S. Senator retires or dies.
Only four states — Oregon included — leave a U.S. Senate seat empty when a Senator dies or retires until a special election can be held, according to state Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, who sponsored the bill.
Senate Bill 952 passed through the chamber 16-13 and now heads to the Oregon House.
The bill would allow a governor to appoint an interim U.S. Senator within 30 days of the vacancy. A special election would still be held within 80 and 150 days of the vacancy.
Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, opposed the measure, saying Oregonians should have a voice in determining who temporarily fills the seat. He argued the state has the ability to put forward a special election for a vacant seat in a timely manner, adding that it has done so in the past.
“We don’t need the governor to do this,” said Bonham. “The governor circumvents the will of the people, quite frankly, in this process.”
Bonham added that serving as an interim U.S. Senator would give a candidate an advantage over others vying for the seat later.
“If we had a Republican governor today, I believe I would be saying the same thing, that I think the will of the people should be paramount in every consideration that we put forward,” said Bonham. “Bypassing them, even in this minor way, I think is a mistake.”
DEQ’s statewide email included ‘dangerous link’ — but it didn’t warn the public
OPB | By April Ehrlich
Earlier this month, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality sent an email to members of the public, media organizations and other state agencies.
A week later, DEQ shut down its networks as it faced a massive cyberattack — and it internally warned staff that a website linked in that statewide email was hacked. But it has not warned members of the public, other state agencies or media organizations that received the email.
The agency still won’t confirm the cause of the cyberattack that forced it to temporarily shutter many of its regulatory services. But workers who had to work from their phones for about two weeks say they are frustrated by their employer’s response.
Oregon bill would implement protections for Uber, Lyft drivers
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Mia Maldonado
Now, Alshamanie is speaking out alongside dozens of other drivers, urging Oregon lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 1166, which would require companies like Uber and Lyft to provide drivers with minimum compensation rates, paid sick leave and the ability to appeal against potential account deactivations.
The bill is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland, who told the Capital Chronicle last week that he introduced the bill after meeting with Uber and Lyft drivers over the summer.
The committee did not take action on the bill after the hearing on Monday. The bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process, and it must pass both chambers before becoming a law.
Editorial: Oregon may increase penalties for drone interference
Bulletin Editorial Board
At least two bills in the Oregon Legislature, House Bill 3426 and Senate Bill 1125, aim to stiffen state penalties for drones interfering with wildfire fighting operations. Federal law already prohibits interfering with wildfire suppression or emergency response by drones. Oregon law also contains a Class A felony for knowingly or recklessly causing death or injury with another aircraft. The two bills are similar and expand state law. For instance, S.B. 1125 would raise all offenses of interference with wildfire fighting with a drone to the felony level.
Oregon lawmaker proposes penalties for businesses that don't accept cash
KOIN | By Anthony Kustura
An Oregon lawmaker says some businesses are breaking the rules and turning away cash, shutting out customers who depend on it.
Now, a new bill is turning up the heat, with a bold reminder — cash isn’t just convenient, it’s the law.
State Senator James Manning (District 7) says he tried to pay for a drink with cash, only to be told the hotel doesn’t accept it — Manning helped pass a law in 2022 forcing Oregon businesses to accept cash.
“It does no good to write a bill or a law and there is no accountability portion on there,” he said.
Three years later, Manning is back with Senate Bill 1176, pushing the state’s labor bureau to teach businesses to accept cash, unless it’s online or a big purchase over $100.
Manning argues that not everyone has a bank account or credit card. He says about 1 in 25 U.S. households don’t use banks, and for many lower-income families, cash is essential.
Trump orders immigration showdown against sanctuary cities, states such as Portland and Oregon
Oregon Live
The Trump administration escalated its showdown with Democratic-led states and cities over immigration enforcement on Monday, with the president signing executive orders that his press secretary said will “unleash America’s law enforcement to pursue criminals” and direct federal agencies to publish a list of “sanctuary cities” that do not cooperate with immigration agents.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the sanctuary city executive order in a morning news briefing as “focused on protecting American communities from criminal aliens.”
Oregon SoS: Trump elections executive order is unconstitutional
KOIN | By Ken Boddie
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is sounding the alarm about an executive order that could change local elections.
Read says that if the executive order goes through, it would fundamentally change what’s been a successful voting system in Oregon.
President Trump’s executive order was issued on March 25. It would require in-person proof of citizenship before an elections office can provide a voter registration form.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Oregon Youth Authority hires new youth advocate amid abuse allegations
Statesman Journal | By Isabel Funk
A new youth and family advocate for the Oregon Youth Authority will start work May 1.
Katherine O. Berger, a longtime youth advocate and youth defense attorney, was hired to fill the role, which will be run through the governor's office for at least the next year to maintain independence from OYA.
She will report to the governor's public safety adviser and have regular meetings with the OYA director.
State’s juvenile directors demand accounting of Oregon Youth Authority backlog
Oregon Live | By Noelle Crombie
County juvenile department leaders are pressing Gov. Tina Kotek’s office to order the release of detailed information about the Oregon Youth Authority’s complaint backlog, including how many involve potentially criminal allegations of abuse by staff or other youths.
Oregon lawsuit seeks to block immigration enforcement at churches, schools
OPB | By Conrad Wilson
A coalition of organized labor and religious groups filed a lawsuit Monday that aims to block immigration enforcement at certain locations, such as churches, schools and health clinics.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Oregon by the Innovation Law Lab and Justice Action Center, argues the U.S. Department of Homeland Security violated First Amendment protections when agency leaders rescinded a policy this year that limited where federal immigration officers could operate.
OR ICE: Oregon churches sue Trump admin to block ICE from churches
KOIN | By Michaela Bourgeois
A group of churches in Oregon, California and Florida filed a lawsuit on Monday to stop federal immigration authorities from entering places of worship amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.
2 alleged leaders of Venezuela gang arrested in Portland, feds say
Oregon Live | By Maxine Bernstein
Two men indicted in a racketeering case targeting current and former members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were arrested in Portland, accused in a sex, drug and gun trafficking conspiracy.
EDUCATION
Undergrad tuition to rise again at all Oregon’s public universities, up nearly 30% from a decade ago
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
The average inflation-adjusted cost of undergraduate tuition for Oregon residents at the state’s seven public universities next year will be nearly 30% higher than it was a decade ago, following increases being considered or adopted by every university board for the next school year.
The state’s seven public universities — Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon and Western Oregon University — are all slated to raise tuition by 3% to 5% for the 2025-26 school year. This comes on top of increases at every university, every year, for the last decade.
To balance next year’s budget, an Oregon school district proposes cutting 10 days from the calendar
Oregon Live | By Julia Silverman
The Reynolds School District in eastern Multnomah County is asking its staff to agree to 10 furlough days for the 2025-2026 school year as it prepares to cut $25 million — or nearly 20% — from its budget.
That will translate to about 160 fewer school district employees, including 118 educators, Superintendent Frank Caropelo wrote in a community letter recently posted to the district’s website
Many school districts around Oregon are pruning expenses for next year, citing declining enrollments and the rising cost of the business of education. Portland Public Schools, for example, is planning for $43 million worth of reductions, which is about 3.5% of its $1.07 billion budget. The Parkrose School District, in Northeast Portland, has proposed two fewer school days next year to help combat its $3 million deficit.
ECONOMY
Number of Oregonians working multiple jobs rises again in 2024, ahead of national average
KATU
More Oregonians are holding multiple jobs, the state employment department found, adding that Oregon is trending higher than the national average.
In 2024, the Oregon Employment Department (OED) found that 127,000 workers – or 6% of Oregonians over 16 years old - held more than one job.
That number is up from the record low of 4.6% in 2022, which was preceded by several years of a decline in the statistic.
Oregon’s trade economy flourishes with $42 billion in exports, boosting 270,000 local jobs
KATU
Oregon’s trade economy remains strong, despite global uncertainty, according to the Portland Metro Chamber's 2025 State of Trade report.
The report shows that more than 270,000 Oregon jobs, roughly one in eight, are connected to international trade in goods and services. It also found that export-driven industries are driving higher-than-average wages and sustained economic growth across the state.
The report also underscores Oregon’s trade surplus -- a distinction shared by only 11 states.
Much of this surplus stems from high-value exports like semiconductors and transportation equipment, industries that also rely heavily on imports for parts and components.
NATURAL RESOURCES & WILDFIRE
When every minute counts: Building resilience before the next disaster
Oregon Capital Chronicle | Commentary by Ilene Vargas, Emilio Chavez
As community organizers who have personally experienced the devastation of the Almeda fire, we are working hard now to prepare our community for the next climate disaster. Every minute counts. During the Almeda Fire, Spanish-speaking families showed up at the Expo in Jackson County along with all the other evacuees.
In 2023, Unite Oregon helped advocate for the statewide Community Resilience Hubs and Networks grant program to make sure our communities have the supplies and services needed to withstand disaster. This vital grant program invested $10 million in community-led efforts to prepare us for the next disaster.
Part of the first round of funds came to the Rogue Valley chapter of Unite Oregon to strengthen communication between community groups and public agencies before, during, and after an emergency. With this state funding, we can help make sure everyone in our community can access help during the next disaster, no matter what language they speak.
But that first grant cycle was only able to fund less than 15% of applications. Extreme weather is real, it’s happening now, and we want everyone to be ready. As climate resilience becomes more important, we are glad to be one of 50 groups supporting the Building Resilience agenda, along with climate justice and public health organizations, business and labor, faith and frontline communities, environmental, family and youth organizations and thousands of individual Oregonians.
| 
