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Oregon News
POLITICS
Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' yanks $888 million from Oregon budget, according to new revenue forecast
KGW | By Anthony Macuk, Alma McCarty
Oregon elected leaders were quick to weigh in after the forecast was published Wednesday morning, with state Democrats pointing the finger at the Trump administration and federal Republicans, and state Republicans putting the blame on state Democrats.
Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham released a statement focusing on the areas like job growth where the forecast showed Oregon lagging behind the national economy, blaming those outcomes on state Democrats' policy choices and arguing that the tax cuts in the Trump bill will benefit Oregonians.
Bonham and other Republicans also focused their ire on the upcoming special session, where Kotek and leading Democrats hope to pass a last-ditch transportation bill to avert layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation after a larger funding package failed earlier this year.
Oregon's budget faces significant shortfall as kicker shrinks and future rebates uncertain
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
Oregon's top Democratic lawmakers are blaming Trump's federal tax bill for the revenue downturn.
However, top state Republicans are shifting the blame to state policies rather than federal factors.
Senate Minority Leader Senator Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, argued that despite a state budget that has doubled in size in the last decade, Kotek is seeking to raise taxes on Oregonians.
"Businesses are closing their doors, and families are leaving Oregon in search of a better life somewhere else. At the same time, our state budget has more than doubled over the last decade, yet Governor Tina Kotek is demanding $5.8 billion in new taxes just to keep the lights on for basic operations and maintenance of our roads. That doesn’t add up," said Bonham.
Inconsistencies Continue to Emerge in Case of Ex-Preschool for All Director
Willamette Week | By Joanna Hou
A hiring letter for Leslee Barnes, the former director of preschool and early learning at Multnomah County, reveals deeper questions about how the county handled her conflict of interest.
State lawmakers reconsider costs, purpose of serving after Minnesota assassination
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Kevin Hardy
In some of his first public comments since being shot in an attempted assassination, Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman urged fellow lawmakers to refocus on the true purpose of public service.
In Oregon, House Speaker Julie Fahey said lawmakers and staff are thinking more about personal safety. State law doesn’t allow candidates to use campaign funds for security purposes, but the Democratic speaker said the legislature may soon change that.
During an NCSL session about the cost of public service, Fahey referenced protesters’ 2020 armed breach of the state Capitol in Salem and noted that she’d had an angry constituent show up at her home.
She said lawmakers and staffers need to talk more about the cost of their work, which can be isolating, especially for those in leadership positions.
“I think it’s really important that we talk about the threats and we talk about the impact,” she said.
TRANSPORTATION
Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation plan could reshape how Oregonians think about electric vehicles
OPB | By Monica Samayoa
As EVs became more popular over the years, tens of thousands of Oregonians across the state were able to purchase their vehicle at a lower price through federal and state rebates. At one point, qualified Oregonians could have gotten up to $15,000 in rebates. That helped provide some relief against the higher sticker prices and registration fees for these vehicles in the state.
Now, a new proposal under Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation bill would require EV and plug-in hybrid drivers to enroll in a program that would charge them a per-mile fee, or a “road usage charge,” for driving on any Oregon road.
ECONOMY
Intel exec quits to run Analog Devices’ Oregon factory
The Oregonian | By Mike Rogoway
Narahari Ramanuja, a 25-year Intel veteran, is leaving to run Analog Devices’ newly expanded Oregon factory. He’s the latest in a string of top technology executives to leave Intel amid the company’s deepening technological struggles and upheaval in its leadership ranks.
CFO says Intel took Trump deal to remove uncertainty around CHIPS Act billions
The Oregonian | By Mike Rogoway
Intel’s chief financial officer says the chipmaker agreed to sell stock to the Trump administration because last week’s deal provided assurance that the government wouldn’t rescind billions of dollars the Biden administration had promised the chipmaker.
Nike puts finishing touches on a corporate overhaul, more layoffs ahead
The Oregonian | By Matthew Kish
Nike on Thursday said the company will again be organized around sports, effectively finalizing a yearlong corporate overhaul during a period of declining sales and deteriorating morale.
The company expects to lay off less than 1% of its “corporate team” as part of the reorganization. Nike employs 10,500 at its headquarters near Beaverton. A 1% layoff would mean the elimination of roughly 100 jobs.
Oregon doubles pot of money available to households struggling to pay utility bills. Here’s who qualifies
The Oregonian | By Aimee Green
A bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Tina Kotek will double the state money available to low-income Oregonians who are struggling to pay their electric bills.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Inner SE Portland families concerned over planned detox center next to elementary school
KATU | By Victor Park
The potential for a drug detox center near an inner Southeast Portland elementary school is causing concern.
Families in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood are urging the city to put a stop to the plan.
NATURAL RESOURCES & WILDFIRE
Trump officials plan to remove protections on 2 million acres of national forests in Oregon
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Mia Maldonado
Rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule would open up 58 million acres of national forest land across the country to logging and development.
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