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Oregon News
TRANSPORTATION
A year of failures: How Oregon Democrats bungled transportation funding
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
Heading into the short session in February, they appear to be back at square one.
That’s despite Democrats holding a supermajority in both the House and Senate, meaning that they could theoretically pass tax increases without any Republican support.
So how did we get here? Below is a timeline of Democrats’ failed efforts over the past year to fund transportation — missteps that have left them scrambling for a new fix heading into the short, five-week February session.
Oregon gov. responds to criticism of handling transportation bill, ODOT outlines possible job cuts
KATU
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek responded to criticism Thursday over an announcement from democrats in the legislature that they would move a ballot question on increased taxes for transportation from the November ballot to the May ballot. Some Republicans feel it should be kept on the November ballot, saying moving it sooner will disenfranchise voters, with data showing more voters vote in general elections versus primary elections.
Dems want Gov. Kotek’s transportation repeal on your May primary ballot: Here’s why
KOIN 6 | By Aimee Plante, Joey Vacca, Anthony Kustura
Democrats say they want to let Oregonians vote as soon as possible so that groups waiting on the funding (such as ODOT) know what they can expect this cycle, but the state’s top Republicans are blasting the move as just politics.
Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr said only about a third of voters participate in midterm primary elections while roughly two thirds of Oregonians vote in the November general election.
“This is an opportunity to disenfranchise a whole host of Oregon voters, for, members of the majority party who preach about democracy and creating opportunities,” Starr said.
Starr said he expects the people who petitioned to get the tax on the ballot in the first place will also make their voices heard this upcoming session, but ultimately, Democrats have a supermajority, so it is their choice.
‘May have put this project in jeopardy’: I-5 bridge program leaders give update after communication woes
KOIN 6 | By Jashayla Pettigrew
Leaders have long estimated the project would cost between $5 billion and $7.5 billion. But program documents from mid-August 2025 projected a final price tag between about $13.6 billion and $14.6 billion, a records request revealed earlier this month.
“You may have put this project in jeopardy because there’s so much negative comment about it now, because the cost estimates have done what they’ve done,” Transportation Commissioner Jeff Baker said to IBRP officials. “ As commissioners, we’re not getting our information from you.”
ODOT audit finds numerous DMV charging errors have gone unaddressed
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
The Oregon Department of Transportation has for years mischarged drivers for title and registration fees, according to an internal audit.
The report found that the way the transportation department assigns a vehicle's mile-per-gallon rating and issues with the OReGo program means hundreds of thousands of Oregonians have been incorrectly charged, many without correct refunds.
It's important that those issues are addressed before more drivers are phased into the OReGo program, auditors said.
Oregon Democrats seek to move transportation referendum vote, Republicans push back
KPTV | By Leslie Dominique
Oregon Democrats are sparking Republican pushback as they move to fast-track a transportation referendum vote.
John Horvick, senior vice president of DHM Research, called the move unusual. Statewide ballot measures are typically held during November elections, but both parties have arguments for their positions.
“The case for the Democrats is that voters shouldn’t have to wait nearly a year to weigh in on something we know is coming,” Horvick said. “The case for the Republicans is that big, important decisions like this should happen during elections with the highest turnout.”
Conservatives are fighting Democrats’ efforts to reschedule the referendum vote.
POLITICS
Gov. Tina Kotek brings business leaders to the table to jump-start Oregon’s economy
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
Members heard a presentation on Oregon’s economy led by Michael Wilkerson, a partner and director of economic research for the consulting firm ECONorthwest. He noted that Oregon has been losing nearly $600 million per year in net income due to people leaving the state.
“This is just a start,” Kotek told members of the council. “If we’re successful in putting some actions in place in the next couple of years, we are going to grow the economy in a way that is going to serve the entire state, and our ability to provide services, our ability to make sure people have what they need.”
Hiring Knopp has not shielded Kotek from pushback on the right, however. One of the governor’s top potential rivals for the upcoming 2026 governor election, Sen. Christine Drazan, a Republican gubernatorial candidate from Canby who came within a few percentage points of defeating Kotek in 2022, took a swipe at the council’s effort a day before Thursday’s meeting.
“As governor, it will be my job to be the ‘chief prosperity officer’ and lead our state towards becoming the best place in America to start and grow your business,” she wrote on X. “We’ll start (by) taking on Oregon’s hidden sales tax.”
Gov. Kotek names Ken Sanchagrin as head of Oregon Public Defense Commission
KATU | By Bobby Corser
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has announced that she has appointed Ken Sanchagrin to be the permanent director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission. Sanchagrin was selected to be the interim director last April.
BOLI Orders Contractor to Pay Prevailing Wages to Remove Derelict Boats
Willamette Week | By Nigel Jaquiss
The ruling catches Oregon ports by surprise and could slow the removal of junk vessels from navigable waterways.
Incumbent, state lawmakers, Jan. 6 rioter: Who is running for Oregon governor?
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
Two state lawmakers, a Marion County commissioner and a right-wing social media influencer charged for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach are among the Republicans running for Oregon governor.
Oregon lawmaker proposes regulations for AI 'companions' amid mental health concerns
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
An Oregon lawmaker is proposing new regulations aimed at artificial intelligence “companions,” a growing category of chatbots designed to simulate emotional or social relationships with users.
Trump administration tells agencies to compile data on money sent to Oregon and other Democratic states
Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s budget office this week ordered most government agencies to compile data on the federal money that is sent to 14 mostly Democratic-controlled states and the District of Columbia in what it describes as a tool to “reduce the improper and fraudulent use of those funds.”
OHSU board contemplates closure of primate research center; its scientists plead for support
OPB | By Amelia Templeton
On Thursday, the facility’s opponents achieved a milestone: OHSU’s board of directors began a public discussion of what it would take to close the center or significantly reduce the size of its primate colony.
City Faces $13.6 Million Budget Gap in Current Year
Willamette Week | By Sophie Peel
It’s the second major budget deficit the city has faced this fiscal year.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Woman shot by Border Patrol in Portland pleads guilty to improperly entering US in 2023
OPB | By Conrad Wilson
The woman shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Portland Jan. 8 pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal misdemeanor, for improperly entering the United States more than two years ago.
A federal judge sentenced Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras to one year of probation.
Portland Police hold news conference about manhunt for suspect who shot 2 officers
KPTV
Portland police held a news conference on Friday to provide details in the ongoing manhunt for a suspect who shot two officers.
ICE detains family seeking emergency care for child at Portland hospital
The Oregonian | By Gosia Wozniacka
Federal immigration agents arrested and detained a Gresham family, including a 7-year-old child, outside a Portland hospital last week as the girl’s parents sought emergency medical care for her.
EDUCATION
Parents blame lawmakers for PPS budget cuts that could mean fewer teachers, larger classes
KATU | By Victor Park
PPS says it will have to cut nearly 300 jobs to save $50 million.
Elementary schools would be hit the hardest with fewer adults.
This means larger class sizes, especially if the district begins merging first and second grade classes, which is part of the plan.
PPS also plans to reduce the number of counselors and support staff and to cut jobs at its central office.
All this is being blamed on declining enrollment and rising costs, but many also blame state leaders.
“I think as parents, we need to be vocal. We need to speak up and say, this is our state lawmakers, a problem as well, not just our districts,” Schofield said.
PPS Moves Forward on Seismic Retrofits Despite Pushback
Willamette Week | By Joanna Hou
Portland Public Schools officials are pushing forward with seismic retrofits at nine schools, even as some advocates have expressed concern that the district has not thoroughly shown its work in selecting those buildings.
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