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Oregon News
Gene Derfler, ‘generational leader’ in Oregon Legislature, dies at 101
Salem Reporter | By Rachel Alexander
Gene Derfler, a longtime state lawmaker who used his woodworking talents in retirement to spread joy in Salem, died Monday, March 16, at age 101.
Oregon Senate Republicans lauded him in a statement Monday as a “generational leader” who led reforms to the state’s workers’ compensation system.
“Gene Derfler was the kind of leader who left Oregon better than he found it. It was an honor to welcome him back to the Senate just weeks ago,” Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, said in a statement. “Those of us who had the privilege to serve alongside him saw firsthand his steady leadership, sharp mind, and deep love for this state. Oregon is better because of Gene Derfler’s life of service, and he will be greatly missed.”
Gene Derfler, WWII veteran and Oregon leader, dies at 101
Statesman Journal | By Capi Lynn
He was well enough Feb. 24 to visit the Oregon State Capitol, where he served 14 years. While there, he received a Senate courtesy and joined Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, at his desk on the chamber floor.
“Gene Derfler was the kind of leader who left Oregon better than he found it. It was an honor to welcome him back to the Senate just weeks ago,” Starr said in a press release. “Those of us who had the privilege to serve alongside him saw firsthand his steady leadership, sharp mind, and deep love for this state. Oregon is better because of Gene Derfler’s life of service, and he will be greatly missed.”
One of his pieces — a Chinook salmon — is displayed in the lobby of the Senate Republican Caucus office.
Democratic state lawmaker battling cancer will not run for county commission
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
State Rep. Annessa Hartman, a Democrat from Gladstone who was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer in November, has decided not to run for the Clackamas County Commission and plans to leave elected office when her term ends in January.
AAA: Washington gas prices hit $5 a gallon as national average climbs
KATU | By Jeff Kirsch
Drivers across the country continue to feel the pinch at the pump as gas prices keep rising.
According to AAA, prices rose a staggering 7 cents in one day, reaching $3.79 per gallon Tuesday.
Oregon drivers are paying $4.54 per gallon, up 5 cents in the past day and 85 cents over the past month.
POLITICS
Salem divided over whether Oregon should facilitate ICE transfers in state prisons
KATU | By Wright Gazaway
There’s renewed debate in Salem over whether the state should cooperate with immigration authorities in cases where federal forces are trying to deport people who have finished sentences in state prisons, after Democrats voted down a Republican effort requiring the state to do so.
Republicans shared 2022 DOC data showing nearly 600 of the roughly 12,000 individuals in Oregon Dept. of Corrections (DOC) custody at the time had an active Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer—a request from ICE to turn over an individual before releasing them.
The state currently does not track citizenship status; KATU requested the current number of active ICE detainers on individuals in DOC custody and awaiting the updated number.
The specific question is whether ICE agents should be allowed to arrest an undocumented migrant inside the prison, once their sentence is over, or in the community after they’ve been released.
States like Minnesota and California allow it. In California's case, the state contacts ICE 10 to 15 days before an individual is released. If ICE agents decide to take custody of the individual, the transfer happens inside a state facility.
California's data shows that scenario is played out hundreds of time per year.
New committee tasked with ensuring ODOT audit findings are corrected
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
A new Audit Accountability Committee will hold the Oregon Department of Transportation responsible for following through on audit corrections.
The Oregon Transportation Commission, ODOT's governing body, approved the committee's creation at a March 12 meeting.
A hospital on Oregon’s coast was on the brink of catastrophe until an unlikely alliance stepped up
The Oregonian | By Betsy Hammond
Over the past several months, an unlikely pair of lawmakers teamed up to try to save high-level hospital care for Oregon’s entire south coast: Rep. Boomer Wright, a conservative 77-year-old Reedsport Republican in his final year in the Legislature, and Rep. Rob Nosse, a 58-year-old liberal Democrat from Southeast Portland.
And on the final day of the five-week session, they triumphed – without a single vote to spare.
Oregon State Hospital is back in federal compliance but facing yet another outside investigation
The Oregonian | By Lillian Mongeau Hughes
The beleaguered Oregon State Hospital, which has struggled to stay in federal compliance for years, is facing yet another investigation into its operations, this time from very close to home.
PCC students in limbo as first-ever community college strike in Oregon enters second week
KATU
Oregon's first-ever community college strike entered its second week Monday with staff and some students still holding picket lines outside the Portland Community College (PCC) campus.
Climate policies took a back seat to budget, other concerns in recent Oregon legislative session
OPB | By Monica Samayoa
Oregon’s 35-day short legislative session left little for climate and environmental advocates to celebrate when it wrapped up earlier this month. Instead, they say, support for climate action, both state and federal, has dwindled.
Portland-area Preschool for All taxpayer base is growing, with one caveat
The Oregonian | By Austin De Dios
The number of households paying Multnomah County’s Preschool for All tax appears on track to keep growing, despite concerns that Portland’s high tax rate is driving away wealthy residents subject to the tax.
‘Unprofessional and inappropriate’: Board chair dinged for text message but cleared of discrimination, harassment allegations
The Oregonian | By Jamie Goldberg, Austin De Dios
An outside investigation into Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington’s treatment of the former head of the county’s embattled sewer agency found that her actions did not meet the legal threshold for harassment or discrimination but a text message she sent was deemed “unprofessional and inappropriate.”
Portland ICE facility property owner appeals plan to issue fines
KATU
The property owner of the ICE facility in South Portland has appealed the city’s decision to fine him for violating the land-use agreement, the city said on Monday.
The city first issued a notice of violation last September. The city upheld it last month.
Portland ICE protests ‘dead,’ livestreamer says as he wraps up criminal case with payment, probation
The Oregonian | By Zane Sparling
As Portland’s immigration protests have waned, criminal cases stemming from altercations outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility are wrapping up.
And in at least one case, the resolution invovled hundreds of dollars, a plea deal — and plans to move on to spicier pastures.
HEALTH CARE
Oregon Lays Out Core Public Health Plan Goals for Years Ahead
Willamette Week | By Andrew Schwartz
The State Health Improvement Plan establishes four priority areas—each grounded in a quantifiable primary goal.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Public invited to share input, ideas for getting Oregon back on track to meet climate targets
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
The public can weigh in on 48 possible actions the state can take to get back on track to reduce greenhouse gas pollution at least 45% by 2035.
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