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Oregon News
TRANSPORTATION
Capital Chatter: Voters could get final say on transportation package
Oregon Capital Insider | By Dick Hughes
If you’re looking for the nation’s least-liked governors, head to the Midwest. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek no longer inhabits the bottom rung of state CEOs.
That is according to the most recent Morning Consult poll, released in mid-July. But given the opposition to Kotek’s proposed transportation funding fixes, who knows what the next polling will say?
Kotek’s special legislative session on transportation funding is expected to continue Monday. In advance, Oregon Senate Republicans created a nifty map showing the geographic distribution of comments about the governor’s plan.
More than 5,000 pieces of written testimony were submitted during Aug. 25-Sept. 3. Nearly 95% were in opposition, which speaks to a successful political marketing campaign. History indicates Oregon voters would reject the gas tax and fee increases but not at a 95% level.
Will Oregon Senators vote on the transportation bill Monday? What we know and what's ahead
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
Sources close to legislative leadership said that Gorsek is on track to be at the vote on Monday.
Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, told KATU on Friday that he believes this vote will take place on Sept. 29. KATU has reached out directly to Gorsek for an update on his condition.
Kotek and state Democrats have pushed for the tax increase, saying it's vital to keep Oregonians safe.
"The transportation discussion is about making sure our roads are maintained, that they're open no matter what the weather is like, and that they're maintained so people can get to work. It is a safety issue," said Kotek last week.
Public Opposition
Starr and most Republicans remain strongly opposed to the transportation bill, highlighting affordability concerns and a majority of Oregonians' disdain for the bill.
"This tax increase is unnecessary. It's a burden on Oregonians who are already overtaxed. It's clear that we have one of the highest tax burdens of any state in the nation. And this adds to that, especially in light of the massive job losses that we're seeing across the economy in Oregon today," said Starr.
Senate Republicans released an interactive map displaying the opinions of 5,000 pieces of public testimony submitted regarding the transportation bill.
Starr pointed to the overwhelming disparity between those who support and oppose the bill, noting that the opposition is not just coming from big cities.
"It's not just [those] in rural Oregon that oppose this. If you look at that map, there are a lot of folks in the Portland metropolitan area that also have chimed in and opposed the tax," he said.
Republican Weighing Options
Starr told KATU News that he expects Democrats to pass this tax package on Monday without Republican support.
"Unfortunately, the majority, they don't need Republicans right now. They have 18 Democrat senators. That's what they need. I believe all 18 of them are going to vote for this," said Starr.
If this bill passes on Monday, Republicans have a last-ditch option to potentially curb this tax increase.
Starr said that Republicans and others opposing the bill may try to put this tax package to a voter referendum in the fall of 2026.
"I think Oregonians will have the opportunity through the referendum process to ultimately weigh in on this tax increase. It is a lift in order to get that accomplished," said Starr.
"We don't have to go down this road, though," said Starr. "The message today is call a timeout. Put this massive tax on the shelf. Let's provide the Department of Transportation the tools they need to solve this problem without raising taxes. And then let's get back to the negotiating table."
Starr said if the signatures are gathered and verified by the Secretary of State, the tax would be put on hold and would be sent to the ballot in November 2026.
POLITICS
Where did Gov. Tina Kotek stay in Oregon while Mahonia Hall saw nearly $1M in renovations?
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
Mahonia Hall underwent renovations this spring and summer totaling more than $1.5 million.
Gov. Tina Kotek stayed at Camp Rilea while more invasive work was being done.
Renovations included kitchen and bathroom upgrades, window restoration and sound proofing.
Their stay from July through September cost a total of $1,980, or $660 per month, and was paid for by DAS.
Oregon governor and first lady plan trade mission to Japan, South Korea
OPB | By Lauren Dake
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson will head to South Korea and Japan in October for a trade mission.
News of the couple’s first official trip overseas comes on the heels of the governor’s announcement last week directing all state agencies to halt out-of-state travel plans that are considered “non-essential.” Kotek also instructed agencies to brace for deep budget cuts.
Five Advisory Bodies Now Counsel County on Preschool for All
Willamette Week | By Joanna Hou
Four of them are new to the program this year, and the county has given each specific oversight.
TRUMP ADMIN V. OREGON DEMOCRATS
Pres. Trump again calls out Portland: 'I don't know how anybody lives there. It's anarchy'
KATU
President Donald Trump once again spoke during a White House press conference about protesting and crime in Portland, shortly after signing a memorandum directing the FBI and Justice Department to look into funding for "radical politically-motivated groups."
‘Disgusting’: Feds blast Portland police over court statements
The Oregonian | By Fedor Zarkhin
A Portland Police Bureau assistant chief’s court statements that federal agents were the source of clashes with protesters outside a South Portland immigration facility were “disgusting,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Friday.
An Elections Expert Explains Why the Federal Government Doesn’t Need Oregon Voters’ Private Data
Willamette Week | By James Neff
At the request of the Oregon Journalism Project, David Becker analyzed the DOJ’s recent lawsuit against Oregon.
Oregon lawmakers call out ICE concerns following visit to Portland facility
KOIN 6
Five lawmakers — Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. Andrea Salinas, and Rep. Maxine Dexter — will host a press conference Friday following their recent oversight visit to the ICE facility in South Portland.
ECONOMY
Portland renters face uphill battle as rent hikes outpace wage growth
KGW | By Kori Johnson
Portland renters face higher costs as average rents hit $1,730, up 22% since pre-pandemic levels.
For Portland resident John Kelly, how much he pays in rent each month is top of mind.
"We've become rent slaves, and our disposable income has been taken from us and it's not going back to anything."
Oregon is enduring a historic wave of job cuts — here’s where the layoffs are
The Oregonian | By Mike Rogoway
Oregon employers have eliminated more than 11,000 jobs since the start of 2024, a historic wave of mass layoffs that matches the worst days of the Great Recession. The latest cutbacks came Thursday, when Roseburg Forest Products laid off 107 and closed its hardwood plant in the Douglas County community of Dillard.
Roseburg Forest Products will close Oregon hardwood plant, lay off more than 100
The Oregonian | By Mike Rogoway
Roseburg Forest Products laid off 107 workers at its hardwood plant in Dillard on Thursday, shifting away from that segment of the industry to focus on other products.
Starbucks to close 16 stores across Oregon
Statesman Journal | By Ginne Sandoval
Starbucks will close at least 16 Oregon stores beginning Saturday, Sept. 27.
Employed in Oregon? New rules from sick time to age discrimination may protect your workplace
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
The new reforms are a bright spot in a year when Oregon’s annual minimum wage increase clocked in as the smallest rise in the past ten years.
HOUSING
Kotek, Wilson convene group to spur financial investment in multifamily construction
Portland Business Journal | By Sara Edwards
Multiple projects across the metro area are in the planning and permitting phases of development, but those aren’t likely to hit the market for a couple of years.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
More police officers hired to protect the city of Portland
KATU | By Sarah Bagby
You might notice more police officers on the streets over the next few months -- twenty-two to be exact. The Portland Police Bureau swore in the largest single group of police officers in more than 25 years.
Murder suspect mistakenly released from Multnomah County jail has been re-arrested
OPB | By Conrad Wilson
A 26-year-old murder suspect mistakenly released from the Multnomah County Detention Center on Monday was arrested Thursday afternoon in Florence.
HEALTH CARE
OHSU Crafts Policy to Direct Patients With Out-of-Network Insurance Elsewhere
Willamette Week | By Andrew Schwartz
As it seeks to shore up its budget, Oregon Health & Science University is working to manage the flow of patients with out-of-network insurance, a change which could shape where many Oregonians get their health care.
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