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Oregon News
TRANSPORTATION
Why Oregon gas tax bump, higher title, registration fees are on hold\
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
After months of controversy, Gov. Tina Kotek's transportation package goes into effect Dec. 31, but some aspects will not happen as scheduled while signatures for a referendum effort are verified.
HB 3991 was expected to bring in $4.3 billion over the next decade through increases to the gas tax, registration and title fees, payroll tax and more.
Leaders of an effort to refer some of the bill to voters submitted more than double the required signatures to the Secretary of State's office for verification Dec. 12.
Here's how parts of the transportation package will be impacted during signature verification and a potential referendum.
TriMet to ring in new year with free rides
KATU
TriMet will be offering free bus and MAX rides starting at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
POLITICS
Marion County commissioner running for governor faces ethics investigations
Salem Reporter | By Les Zaitz
A dashcam recorder documented the traffic stop of the adult daughter of Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell in Salem on Dec. 31, 2024. Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Ron Cereghino filed an ethics complaint against the commissioner.
But the citation matter is only one of the ethics proceedings against her.
The commission also has ordered a deeper investigation into her vote on a county contract with a company that employed her son. The commission review found that under state ethics laws, Bethell should have abstained from discussing and voting on the deal. She defended her action, saying she acted on advice from the county’s lead attorney, who subsequently told the ethics commission that his counsel “was not the best approach.”
From lawsuits to new laws, these Oregonians made biggest impacts on state politics in 2025
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
A roundup of Oregonians who played an outsized role in the protests, policies and major tax cut and spending packages that made headlines this year.
New year, new rules: A look at some of the Oregon laws that kick in Jan. 1
OPB | By Dirk VanderHart
Unemployment benefits for striking workers
No bill saw more impassioned debate this year than Senate Bill 916. Proposed by labor unions – and lambasted by business groups, school officials and Republicans – the bill will make Oregon the first state in the nation to allow both public and private workers to collect weekly unemployment checks while on strike. Other states with similar laws, such as Washington, do not allow public employees to strike.
Backers of SB 916 argued that it’s currently easy for employers to win unfair contracts by waiting until striking workers can’t pay their bills. They said the law gives workers more leverage.
Opponents warned that the law would lead to more frequent and lengthier strikes by teachers and other unionized professions.
On Jan. 1, striking employees in Oregon can receive unemployment
KATU
Senate Bill 916 passed along party lines, receiving pushback from Republicans as well as public institutions like school districts, cities, and counties. It was widely supported by workers' unions.
Those against the bill say it would increase the frequency and length of strikes by taking away the risk of pay loss. Those in favor say it would do the exact opposite by pushing employers to settle disputes more quickly.
Washington recently passed a similar measure. New York and New Jersey also allow unemployment benefits for striking workers. Unlike Washington or Oregon, the two East Coast states' policies do not provide benefits to public employees.
Oregon property tax deferral program sees declining participation despite available funds
KPTV | By Anna Katayama
A decades-old Oregon program that allows seniors and disabled homeowners to defer property taxes has seen participation drop dramatically, despite having tens of millions of dollars available and rising property tax burdens.
Departing City Administrator Mike Jordan Wants Portland to Figure It Out
Willamette Week | By Sophie Peel
Portland’s outgoing city administrator offers parting thoughts, warnings and advice.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Oregon’s year of layoffs: 2025’s historic job cuts are shaking the state’s economy
The Oregonian | By Mike Rogoway
It’s been a painful year for Oregon workers.
The state’s employers reported nearly 9,000 mass layoffs during 2025. That’s an extraordinary number by historical standards, topping the pace of job cuts during the worst days of the Great Recession.
Portland office sales will drive millions in property tax losses: year in review
The Oregonian | By Jonathan Bach The invisible hand of the free market isn’t done boxing Portland.
The city’s office market, in particular, had a bruising year that foretells a contentious 2026.
A look back at 2025 shows a year of big building sales across the skyline that city officials and real estate leaders say will eventually nudge Portland back on track as office property values “reset” and new owners invest millions into buildings to bring employees back into the urban core. But in the meantime, the plummeting values of commercial properties will mean millions less for city services.
HOMELESSNESS
Portland overnight shelters could soon stay open 24/7, Portland and Multnomah County say
KATU | By Victor Park
Overnight shelters are filling up fast, as thousands of homeless people try to keep warm.
The city of Portland and The Salvation Army confirmed to KATU there were 155 out of 200 beds used Sunday night, as temperatures plunged into the 30s.
HEALTH CARE
Oregon, Washington to receive slice of $50B in federal funds for rural health care access
KATU
The Trump administration on Monday announced the amount of funding each state will get to aid in providing health care to rural residents.
In 2026, Oregon will receive almost $200 million and Washington is slated to get about $181 million.
OHSU researchers find THC products fail to reduce pain, cause more side effects
KOIN 6 | By Michaela Bourgeois
Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University announced new findings that cannabis products with high amounts of THC only slightly reduce pain while causing more side effects.
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