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The top Democrat in 2028 presidential polling might surprise you
The Oregonian
It seems likely that California Gov. Gavin Newsom is gearing up for a 2028 presidential run.
But the Democrat and vocal critic of President Donald Trump does not currently hold the lead in his party when it comes to polling for that still-far-off race for the White House.
The top spot among potential Democratic contenders belongs to former Vice President Kamala Harris, according to the latest Daily Mail/JL Partners poll, released Monday.
State, local policies on immigration enforcement targeted by US Senate Republicans
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Ariana Figueroa
Senate Republicans during a Tuesday hearing laid the groundwork for legislation that would prevent state and local governments from making decisions on whether to limit cooperation with the federal government on immigration enforcement.
Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham of South Carolina argued that sanctuary cities — a term used by critics — undercut federal law, and local policies shielding immigrants without legal status should be banned. President Donald Trump has called on Republicans who control Congress to act.
“What’s the upside of ignoring federal law and keeping people like this out of federal custody?” Graham said. “It’s a political choice.”
Oregon News
Debts could kill Oregon’s ‘living ghost town,’ so it’s seeking quick sale of historic City Hall
The Oregonian | By Samantha Swindler
Officials in one of Oregon’s smallest cities say it needs to sell its historic City Hall virtually overnight or risk becoming the ghost town it’s long claimed to be.
The Shaniko City Council held an emergency meeting Saturday evening and authorized the mayor to find a buyer for the building within 24 hours.
POLITICS
Oregon lawmakers proposed hundreds of bills in the short session. Many failed to pass
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
Oregon lawmakers proposed hundreds of bills in the packed, five-week-long legislative session that wrapped on Friday, including dozens that failed to cross the finish line.
Many of the dead bills broadly directed state agencies to study specific issues. And some Republican-led proposals gained little traction among the legislature’s Democratic majority.
Multiple ambitious bills were watered down, some were gutted and left largely hollow or stuffed with new legislation, and others failed to move out of committees entirely. Advocates and lawmakers behind some high profile policy proposals that didn’t advance are vowing to reintroduce them in the longer legislative session next year or another future session. In the meantime, here’s a look at some of the noteworthy bills that didn’t make it this year.
Republicans also offered some education proposals that failed to move forward, including a bill from Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, that would have allowed teachers to remove disruptive students from their classrooms and required students be held back if they couldn’t demonstrate grade-level proficiency in core subjects by third grade. Another Republican bill would have required the state to replicate recent federal tax code changes that allow individuals to write off a portion of private school tuition from their federal income taxes.
Reynolds also unexpectedly found herself as the face of the opposition to a bipartisan bill introduced by Drazan that would have blocked public health and harm reduction groups from handing out free hypodermic needles and syringes to drug users within 2,000 feet of schools or child care centers. Republicans tried and failed to force a vote on it in the Senate after it faltered in the Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health.
A bill to beef up Measure 114’s permit-to-purchase process for guns in Oregon that was passed by voters in 2022 was gutted after stiff opposition from Republicans in the Senate who were ready to walk out over it. Lawmakers opted instead to strip down the bill and solely focus on delaying implementation of the 2022 gun law until 2028. The move highlighted the delicate balancing act Democratic leadership faced in pushing through their priorities on a shorter time frame.
Oregon lawmakers pass bill to back Bay Area Hospital loan with up to $44 million
KATU
Bay Area Hospital is set to receive tens of millions of dollars in state-backed financial support after the Oregon Legislature passed a bill supporters say will help the Coos Bay hospital avoid cutting services.
Chief Trevor Womack to retire. What's next for Salem Police?
Statesman Journal | By Whitney Woodworth
Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack announced he will retire in May after more than five years leading the department.
Assistant Chief Brandon Ditto will serve as the interim police chief for at least six months following Womack's departure.
Womack's tenure focused on reducing crime, increasing community trust, and improving officer retention.
He is retiring to focus on his family and plans to move back to California.
EDUCATION
Report: Portland Public Schools deficit grows from $10M to $14M
KATU
The budget deficit for Portland Public Schools for the current school year has grown from $10 million to $14 million.
Portland State declares financial crisis, reveals plan to cut or reduce 19 departments
OPB | By Tiffany Camhi
Portland State’s announcement Monday lays the groundwork for a process that could result in a massive restructuring of the university.
School board to consider new reading curriculum for Salem’s elementary schools
Salem Reporter | By Rachel Alexander
The Salem-Keizer School Board on Tuesday, March 10, will take the first step toward approving new textbooks and lessons for teaching elementary school students to read — a major part of a district plan to improve its poor reading outcomes.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Controversial Marion County farmland waste pit appeals shut-down order
Statesman Journal | By Tracy Loew
Owners of a controversial waste dumping pit on farmland in Aurora are appealing Marion County’s rejection last month of their application to restart operations.
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