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The longest government shutdown in US history comes to a close
NPR
President Trump has signed a bill to fund the government, bringing a close to the longest government shutdown in history, one that saw millions of Americans affected and ended with little political gain.
Oregon News
TRANSPORTATION
Leadership exodus continues at Oregon’s transportation agency
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
Oregon Department of Transportation director Kris Strickler announced on Wednesday he will step down at the end of this year, as the agency continues to grapple with cost overruns on major projects and seeks permanent funding for the state’s highways, bridges and maintenance workers.
Strickler spent much of this year in the state Capitol asking lawmakers to secure more funding for his agency. Without additional dollars, he warned that he would have to lay off hundreds of workers. When lawmakers ended this year’s legislative session without approving more funding for the agency, he scrambled to initiate the layoff process.
Meanwhile, multiple reviews of the agency in the past year reported faulty communication processes, mismanagement of mega projects and other flaws plaguing the agency.
Lawmakers passed a funding package in a special session this fall, averting immediate mass layoffs or service cuts at the agency. But top Democrats have said they need to return in the future to find a permanent funding solution for the agency.
Signature effort starts to allow Oregon voters to decide on new gas tax
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
A dash to collect enough signatures by Dec. 30 to put cost increases from the $4.3 billion transportation package in front of Oregon voters has started.
The Secretary of State Elections Division on Nov. 12 approved circulation of signature sheets for a petition to refer House Bill 3991 to the ballot, Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Stayton, one of the leaders of No Tax Oregon, said.
Diehl said the petitioners don't want ODOT workers to lose their jobs and Kotek could bring lawmakers together to find a fix.
"We could start having discussions today to come to a solution that does not require raising taxes," Diehl said.
Lawmakers should take action by lifting restrictions on where some of ODOT's money can be spent, he said. Republican proposals to do so were not supported in the 2025 regular and special sessions.
I-5 Rose Quarter project update delayed a day before leaders were set to consider options
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) removed a planned update on the Interstate-5 Rose Quarter Project from its Thursday meeting agenda the day before the Commission was set to consider its options for moving forward with the project.
2026 ELECTION
Response to Trump’s agenda key sticking point in Oregon 2026 governor’s race, poll says
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
President Donald Trump’s crackdown on Portland and cuts to food stamps and health insurance his party passed this summer could hamper the popularity of Republican candidates in Oregon’s 2026 race for governor, according to a new survey from a Democratic polling firm.
POLITICS
Portland City Council rejects ‘sweeping’ cuts to homeless cleanup program
KOIN 6 | By Aimee Plante, Danny Peterson
The Impact Reduction Team is responsible for clearing illegal camps and trash while providing hygiene access, resource referrals, and job support.
The City Council rejected Councilor Angelita Morillo’s amendment to cut $4.3 million from the program and redirect the funds to rent and food assistance, immigrant, and refugee services while maintaining general cleanup.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Parkrose Grocery Outlet workers ‘don’t feel safe’ as owner considers closing due to crime
KOIN 6 | Joey Vacca
The owner of the Grocery Outlet in Portland’s Parkrose neighborhood said crime and violence is getting so bad, he is considering closing.
Portland homeless shelter employee arrested in killing of Uber driver
The Oregonian | By Lillian Mongeau Hughes
A Portland homeless shelter employee was arrested last week on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection with the 2022 death of 39-year-old Shaani Mohamed, an Uber driver and father of eight.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Oregon Plunges in Tax Competitiveness Rankings
Willamette Week | By Anthony Effinger
No state has fallen further in terms of tax competitiveness than Oregon in the past six years, according to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan, boardroom-friendly think tank that has studied U.S. taxes for 88 years.
EDUCATION
Oregon’s new normal: Declining public school enrollment
OPB | By Elizabeth Miller
Since 2020, Oregon public school enrollment has dropped by more than 37,000 students.
In a first, Oregon lawmakers say they’ve met school funding targets. Education advocates beg to differ
The Oregonian | By Julia Silverman
For the first time in 25 years, Oregon lawmakers say they have provided enough funding to public schools to fully meet the goals set out by a high-profile committee charged with pinpointing the price tag for a “quality education.”
Their conclusion isn’t landing well with the scores of school advocates who have repeatedly maintained that the state has failed to fund education at the levels mapped out by Oregon’s Quality Education Commission.
TRUMP ADMIN VS. OREGON
Federal defense contractor backs out of potential Oregon Coast ICE facility
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
A defense contractor with a history of providing housing for military operations withdrew its inquiry seeking land at the Newport Municipal Airport, a city official said Wednesday, as growing evidence suggests the Trump administration intends to use the site for Oregon’s first Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.
Oregon Democrats outraged over reported ICE facility plans near Portland
Fox News | By Charles Creitz
Oregon Democrats are up in arms over reports that a new ICE detention facility could be built near Portland, after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned she may have to act "the hard way" following a tense meeting with state officials.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Oregon DEQ announces enforcement action against Coffin Butte landfill
KLCC | By Nathan Wilk
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says it’s taking enforcement action against the Coffin Butte landfill north of Corvallis.
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