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Oregon News
Oregon Supreme Court considers case of ‘illegally confined’ man after early release retracted
The Oregonian | By Zane Sparling
An Oregon man who was released from prison but then re-arrested as state lawyers and corrections leaders grappled with a controversial sentencing rule has asked the state Supreme Court to step in and free him.
Thomas G. Allen was one of about 40 people abruptly released from state prison this summer after the Oregon Department of Corrections changed how it calculated credit for time that a prisoner already served.
Time served reduces a prison sentence, based on the amount of time a person spent in custody before their trial or plea deal. In essence, the new rule applied time served credits to every convicted count — not just once to the lump sum.
But the new calculations soon proved contentious, with elected district attorneys and victim advocates hammering the decision and saying they shouldn’t have been left in the dark.
The Supreme Court issued a clarification to the rule in November.
Corrections officials then flip flopped and ordered the re-arrest of about 20 people, The Oregonian/Oregonlive previously reported. Allen is one of the 20.
TRANSPORTATION
ODOT continues hiring winter maintenance positions with funding in limbo
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is moving forward with hiring vacant winter maintenance positions for now while its "current funding situation is analyzed."
The agency waited to begin hiring these positions until HB 3991, the controversial transportation bill that raises the state's gas tax and other vehicle-related fees, passed the Oregon Legislature.
"We’ve been very public in discussing the large number of vacancies the agency was holding and the potential for a lower level of service this winter unless new funding was provided to the agency," said an ODOT spokesperson on Oct. 2, three days after the bill passed. "With this new funding, we are able to preserve existing staff, hire seasonal staff, fill vacancies, and provide a stable level of winter maintenance service."
However, this new funding is now in limbo as the No Tax Oregon movement inches closer to its goal of referring the tax increases to voters.
The petition needs over 74,000 signatures verified by the Oregon Secretary of State's office to be approved. If it moves forward, the tax increases would freeze.
State Representative Ed Diehl (R-Stayton), a chief petitioner for No Tax Oregon, told KATU News that the movement had collected over 175,000 signatures and that number was "climbing" on Dec. 2.
A successful referral would mean that ODOT and local governments across Oregon would not receive the additional funding they were expecting in the new year.
"The specific effects on ODOT operations and service levels are not yet known," said an ODOT spokesperson. "This continued uncertainty is difficult for the agency. Many ODOT employees are worried about their own jobs and are worried about the ability of ODOT to continue to serve Oregon."
In past statements, Governor Tina Kotek's office has warned that a successful referendum "would throw Oregon's basic services back into crisis – just as winter weather approaches."
In places like Redmond and Detroit, roads would be left icy and dangerous for longer, closing off safe passage over the mountain this winter.
"This would have critical impacts on businesses, emergency response times, attendance at schools, and so much more," said a spokesperson for Gov. Kotek.
The spokesperson said the governor directed ODOT to continue hiring vacant winter maintenance positions for the time being.
Gov. Kotek's office said in October that, if the transportation package is undone, layoffs of essential workers would be re-initiated, and additional service cuts would be made to cover the cost of hiring snowplow drivers right now.
KATU has reached out to Governor Kotek's office and ODOT to find out how those positions would be funded or if hiring would freeze as a result of a referendum.
61 businesses sign onto letter opposing bus lanes on 82nd Avenue
BikePortland | By Jonathan Maus
Lines have been clearly drawn in the debate over what type of bus service is right for 82nd Avenue. In three letters sent to TriMet today, influential politicians and high-profile advocacy groups made their positions known. At issue is the agency’s $350 million 82nd Avenue Transit Project, envisioned as a major upgrade for a key East Portland arterial that’s in dire need of a way to move people more safely and efficiently.
ODOT Review Blasts Umpqua Transit District’s Management and Hiring Practices
Willamette Week | By Nigel Jaquiss
The agency says the board and its former CEO violated numerous rules related to grant funds.
POLITICS
Oregon leaders pledge to make the state more business-friendly, but offer few specifics
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
Democrats shared a couple of specific policy ideas. House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, a Democrat, said he is preparing a proposal to streamline inconsistent permitting processes for businesses. And Kotek said she will ask lawmakers to boost state loan funding for site development in industrial zones and establish an office to streamline permitting on major projects.
But members of both parties provided few other specifics for how they intend to attract or retain business in the state. Instead, they spoke broadly about their goals and mentioned a hodgepodge of ideas with varying levels of detail and support.
“I completely agree that high taxes are a reason why some people are leaving,” said Bowman, a Tigard Democrat. However, Bowman did not suggest the state should cut taxes. Rather, he said Oregon needs to bring more accountability to its government. “I think what is really important is that we have a government that can actually deliver results,” he said. “And I think that is what we’re missing right now.”
Top lawmakers agreed that Oregon is at a turning point in its business and economic landscape, but they stopped short of committing to any significant changes beyond generally calling for more accountability in state spending.
House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat, said she was open to revisiting Oregon’s land use laws and other long-established policies to try to encourage business growth. But Fahey offered few details and did not commit to make any specific changes during the short session.
Gov. Kotek, lawmakers call for streamlined permit, land use rules amid concern for Oregon business
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
While some Oregon lawmakers echoed her priorities at Monday’s summit, the governor’s roughly 20-minute speech in front of hundreds of industry leaders was largely a defense of her record. She argued that she has planted the seeds for improvement in Oregon’s business, education and housing sectors, framing some of the state’s challenges as a result of the Trump administration’s priorities.
The one area of consensus between lawmakers on the left and right on Monday appeared to be easing the regulatory burden facing businesses, with legislators offering suggestions for changes to Oregon law in the 2026 session. House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, said Monday that she was “open” to conversations about easing land use regulations to help spur development across the state.
House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, said he was bringing forward two ideas in the short legislative session set for February 2026 that are “not going to change the world overnight.” One proposal would set clear requirements regardless of rules changing after a company has applied for a permit, and another would ensure “timeline clarity” given that some permit applications can stretch on for years.
Although Bowman and Fahey did not elaborate further on any details, their ideas could receive some bipartisan support. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, said he did not disagree with Bowman, adding that he was hopeful that lawmakers could leave the summit with a unified goal in streamlining land use rules.
“It’s too expensive. It’s too kind of cumbersome, the ability for virtually anybody to, with a stroke of a pen and appeal, to stop a process,” he said. “We got to figure out how we could move forward on this together.”
At the same time, it’s unclear the extent to which lawmakers have found consensus on the issue. Starr cited Austin, Texas as a positive example of an area streamlining its housing regulations, while Fahey criticized the state of Texas for allowing “eternal sprawl.”
House Minority Leader Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinnville also spoke on Monday alongside Bowman, Starr and Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland.
Elmer called for the state to “be more competitive in our taxes,” and referred to the signatures gathered by opponents of the $4.3 billion transportation package Oregon Democrats passed during a special legislative session in September. Critics have reported receiving nearly double the 78,116 signatures necessary to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot, with the goal of undoing the increased taxes and vehicular fees the package mandates.
But she was also hopeful lawmakers could find consensus.
“Senator Starr and I have lots of great solutions. Bowman has said he wants to work with me, so, I mean, today’s a good day,” Elmer said. “We can turn it around. This is a gorgeous place. We can be the pioneering state once again.”
Although she did not speak on stage at the event, Kotek’s top political rival and state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, attended with several of her Republican colleagues. When announcing that she would be running for governor in 2026, she said in late October that small businesses such as welders, builders, farmers and shop owners “are being buried under taxes and regulations and red tape every single day,” while calling for expedited building permits and lower taxes and fees.
Oregon business leaders aim to make state employment more appealing
KOIN 6 | By Lisa Balick
“It’s the tax environment, it is the regulatory environment, it’s talent development, it’s land use, it’s overall livability. We have to address these things if we’re going to remain competitive,” said Hoffman Construction CEO David Drinkward when talking about the issues the state faces.
“We should have an incentive to keep every college graduate in state and keep them in our workforce here in state and collaborate between our universities and our business to keep people here and make it a great place for people,” said Joth Ricci, the executive chair at Burgerville.
“In Asian markets, in European markets and South American markets, to expanded traded sectors. Semiconductors, footwear and apparel, outdoors, testing food and beverages, manufacturing, and industrial supply chain logistics. Those are some of our most competitive industries in the Portland region,” added Monique Clairborne from Greater Portland Inc.
State fined $1.4M for patient intake delays at Oregon State Hospital
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
In fewer than six months, Oregon has racked up more than $1.4 million in fines for delays in patient intake at the Oregon State Hospital.
The state was found to be in contempt of court on June 6 for failing to comply with an order to admit individuals deemed unable to assist in their legal defense to the Oregon State Hospital within seven days.
Portland mayor wants to double size of city’s small business tax exemption
The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said Monday he will seek to significantly increase a tax break offered to small businesses as the city looks to spur economic growth and opportunities.’
During a speech at the Oregon Leadership Summit, Wilson said he will propose doubling the city’s business license tax exemption from $50,000 in gross receipts annually to $100,000.
The tax break boost, aimed at independent contractors, start-ups and mom-and-pop shops, would cost about $3 million a year, according to city officials.
Portland Mayor Wilson sets new goals for public safety, housing, foot traffic
KATU | By Barry Mangold
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson set new benchmarks for the city's economy, housing, and public safety during two public appearances on Monday.
$224 for a lift ticket in Oregon? Where prices are rising or staying put, as ski resorts absorb insurance hikes
The Oregonian | By Aimee Green
Shortly after the first flakes began falling on the slopes of Mount Hood this fall, Timberline Lodge made a startling announcement coming from any business, let alone the already pricey ski industry: It is raising lift ticket prices.
Citing ballooning insurance premiums brought on by an increasingly unfavorable liability landscape for ski resorts and other recreational companies across Oregon, Timberline wrote in an Oct. 8 Facebook post that “we are absorbing as much of this cost as possible, but cannot shoulder all of it.”
Timberline, of course, is not alone.
News of unspent millions in Portland Housing Bureau shocks city councilors and advocates
KATU | By Wright Gazaway
The revelation that Portland’s Housing Bureau was sitting on roughly $20 million of unspent money shocked city leaders and advocates for renters, as city leaders now mull ways to spend the money and deal with the fallout.
Salem City Council votes to reappoint man despite past conviction
Statesman Journal | By Whitney Woodworth
Salem City Council voted 5-4 Dec. 8 to reappoint a Community Police Review Board member despite recent concerns raised over his past criminal conviction.
The council's vote went against the recommendation made by the Boards and Commissions Appointments Committee. The committee voted Dec. 3 to recommend not reappointing Kyle Hedquist to the police board and leave the position open.
HOMELESSNESS
Residents, business owners in Portland's St. Johns neighborhood push for removal of homeless day center
KGW | By Blair Best
Multnomah County opened a drop-in center for homeless people in July, but some who live and work nearby say it's had an immediate negative impact.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Alert issued for missing and endangered 15-year-old foster child last seen in Molalla
KATU
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is seeking the public's help in finding Tyler Shoop, a 15-year-old child in foster care who went missing from Molalla on Dec. 8.
A doctor at Providence Medford is suing the Trump administration after her green card application was denied.
KATU
Newly released videos, audio recordings and transcripts show the moments that former pilot Joseph Emerson was arrested after he tried to cut the engines of a Horizon Air flight back in 2023.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Lithium mining exploration project in Southeast Oregon gets federal approval
OPB | By Cassandra Profita
Wildlife advocates say the project will disturb prime sage grouse habitat in Malheur County.
Chinook Salmon denied consideration to be labeled endangered species
KATU
For the second time in seven years the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have determined that Chinook Salmon do not meet the requirements to warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act.
TRUMP ADMIN VS. OREGON
Student-led ICE protests erupt across Washington County amid enforcement crackdowns
The Oregonian | By Julia Silverman
Southridge High School junior Adrian Juc de Leon wasn’t exactly sure who had handed him the megaphone — someone’s mom, maybe? — but he knew just how to use it during a student walkout on Monday to protest the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown.
US Coast Guard likely ‘ran afoul’ of law by removing rescue helicopter from Newport, judge says
OPB | By Conrad Wilson
A federal judge in Eugene extended a temporary court order on Monday requiring the U.S. Coast Guard to maintain a search and rescue helicopter in Newport for at least the next two weeks.
Oregon doctor sues DHS after her green card application is denied
KOIN 6 | By Amanda Rhoades
A doctor at Providence Medford is suing the Trump administration after her green card application was denied.
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