Oregon Capital Chronicle

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We're a nonprofit newsroom, based in Salem and focused on state government, agencies and policies. We keep our eye on your tax dollars. Tips: [email protected].
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Disability Rights Oregon sues Washingon County over its response to people in a mental health crisis. @BBotkin has the story: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/02/05/d...

Disability Rights Oregon sues Washington County alleging it fails people in mental health crises –...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Washington County fails to meet the health needs of people in mental health emergencies, Disability Rights Oregon said in a lawsuit.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development granted 140 Oregon nonprofits, entities $60m to keep people sheltered. Some of the programs are ongoing.

Local governments, nonprofits in Oregon win $60 million for rental support, social services – Oreg...oregoncapitalchronicle.com The Biden administration is awarding more than $3 billion nationwide, including $60 million to Oregon, to programs to fight homelessness.

Bombshell political news in Oregon this morning that's not unexpected: 10 Republican senators barred from serving next term @jmshumway.bsky.social was on top of it this morning:

Oregon Supreme Court bars Republican senators who participated in walkout from reelection – Oregon...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Republican senators who participated in the longest walkout in state history cannot seek reelection in 2024 or 2026, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Democratic attorneys general, including Ellen Rosenblum in Oregon ask SCOTUS to maintain current access to the abortion pill, mifepristone.

Democratic attorneys general ask Supreme Court to allow current access to abortion pill – Oregon C...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Two dozen Democratic attorneys general urged the U.S. Supreme Court to maintain current regulations on the abortion pill in a pending case.

An appointed Republican state rep. in Oregon takes anti-LGBTQ stances that are unusual in Oregon. But the leader of the state House GOP backed him up as @jmshumway.bsky.social discovered

Oregon representative compared supporting LGBTQ+ people to supporting child abuse – Oregon Capital...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Rep. Dwayne Yunker claimed supporting LGBTQ+ people was akin to supporting child abuse and accused drag queens of pedophilia.

Definitely worth a read: What life is like on the streets for dozens in Oregon's capital, Salem, and what they think of the Democratic proposal to help Oregon's addiction crisis. @bbotkin.bsky.social

Amid the pain of addiction, few pin their hopes on the government – Oregon Capital Chronicleoregoncapitalchronicle.com People addicted to drugs and living on the street are skeptical of Oregon Democrats' proposal to tie treatment to a possible trip to jail.

Hunger is growing in Oregon but lawmakers, officials and advocates hope the Legislature will dedicate some money to stem the problem. They have several propositions. One proposal would involve free school meals in summer for children of low-income families.

State signs up for summer food program for kids but needs Legislature to commit funds – Oregon Cap...oregoncapitalchronicle.com State officials have signed up for a three-month summer food program that would benefit nearly 300,000 children in Oregon.

This again: The Port of Morrow violated its wastewater permit 270 times in the last 60 days of 2023. That means it's continuing to pollute well water that locals need to drink. What's @OregonDEQ doing? Nothing. @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social has the scoop

Port of Morrow continues polluting under new state sanctioned wastewater plan – Oregon Capital Chr...oregoncapitalchronicle.com The state says it will eventually fine Port of Morrow for continuing to violate a wastewater permit, contaminating a drinking water aquifer.

Oregon secretary of state auditors looked at the Oregon Medical Board, which licenses doctors. It found that the disciplinary process should be more consistent. @bbotkin.bsky.social reports

Oregon Medical Board needs better system to fairly discipline health professionals, state audit find...oregoncapitalchronicle.com The Oregon Medical Board needs to do more to fairly and consistently discipline the health care professionals it regulates, an Oregon Secretary of State audit released Wednesday found. The board r...

Problem gambling is a problem, affecting 7 million Americans and costing the U.S. $7 billion a year. That's why Rep. Andrea Salinas is pushing a bill that would draw on online sports betting taxes to fund prevention and treatment.

Salinas seeks to direct federal dollars toward fighting gambling addiction – Oregon Capital Chroni...oregoncapitalchronicle.com U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas of Oregon has proposed a bill that to use existing revenue from sports wagers for gambling treatment and research.

Happy New Year! (miss us?)

We've got a story from @statesnewsroom.com's DC bureau on U.S. Senate Dems discussing gun violence as a public health threat: U.S. Democratic senators on Judiciary Committee discuss gun violence as a public health threat @statesnewsroom

Gun violence as a public health crisis explored by U.S. Senate Democrats – Oregon Capital Chronicl...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday discuss how to treat gun violence as a public health crisis.

When the FDA approved a new immunization for infants against RSV, everyone hailed it as a welcome breakthrough. But now that we're in autumn and the season is certainly near, supplies are limited. Time to return to masks and other safety precautions, health officials say.

New drug to protect young children from common respiratory infection in short supply – Oregon Capi...oregoncapitalchronicle.com A medication to protect infants from a common respiratory virus is in short supply, so parents need to take other precautions to protect kids.

Reminder: open enrollment for those who buy their insurance on the federal marketplace, which offers subsidies to cut down on costs, runs through Jan. 16. But you need to sign up by Dec. 15 to be covered starting Jan. 1. Links to help in our story.

Enrollment in individual health insurance now open through mid-January – Oregon Capital Chronicleoregoncapitalchronicle.com The tens of thousands of Oregonians who buy their own health insurance can now start shopping for the best plan for next year.

Oregon's Gov. Tina Kotek just endorsed state Rep. Janelle Bynum for the Democratic primary in the 5th Congressional District. @jmshumway.bsky.social has our exclusive

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek endorses Janelle Bynum for Congress – Oregon Capital Chronicleoregoncapitalchronicle.com Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek will back Democratic state Rep. Janelle Bynum in her run for Congress in the 5th District.

Oregon and Washington are pouring millions into removing hundreds of abandoned vessels that are spewing toxins into waterways.

Northwest sinks millions into derelict vessel removal on region’s waterways – Oregon Capital Chr...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Oregon and Washington are pouring hundreds of dollars into removing abandoned fishing vessels and boats that are polluting waterways.

State Senate conduct committee, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, dismisses two complaints from Republican senators against Senate President Rob Wagner over unexcused absences during walkout

Legislative committee dismisses complaints by Republican state senators over walkout – Oregon Capi...oregoncapitalchronicle.com A Senate committee on Friday dismissed complaints by two Republican senators against the Democratic Senate president based on Senate rules.

A big environmental decision went down today. Feds approved the expansion of a natural gas pipeline through the NW. Democratic leaders are not happy and an environmental group plans to appeal. @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social listened to the 7 a.m. meeting

Federal regulators approve natural gas pipeline expansion through Oregon, Washington – Oregon Capi...oregoncapitalchronicle.com UPDATED at 2:51 p.m. with additional reactions. Despite opposition from Northwest Democratic leaders, federal regulators voted unanimously Thursday to allow more natural gas to flow through Oregon, Id...

Despite Republican opposition, the Oregon Department of Education is permanently doing away with an added requirement that students show proficiency in essential life skills. @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social

Oregon students won’t have to show added proficiency in basic skills through 2028 to graduate – ...oregoncapitalchronicle.com The Oregon Board of Education voted Thursday to continue to suspend the requirement saying its been misapplied and is ineffective.

We've all seen them driving in the mountains: shaved patches stripped of timber. But for a sense of how clear-cuts are hurting drinking water supplies in parts of Oregon, @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social took a flight.

Clear-cutting forests near watersheds could threaten drinking water supplies, conservationists warn ...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Water shortages in Oregon coast cities could be prevented if clear-cutting around watersheds was eliminated, according to environmentalists.

Critics worry about the hydrogen hubs set to receive $1 billion each to cut emissions that will use natural gas to do so. @statesnewsroom.com

‘So many ways hydrogen can go wrong’: Hub announcements viewed with caution – Oregon Capital C...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Critics worry about the hydrogen hubs that will each receive $1 billion in funding to cut emissions while relying on natural gas to do so.

After 15 years, feds settle with NW tribes over a sacred site near Mount Hood

U.S. government, tribes settle 15-year-old case on sacred site near Mount Hood – Oregon Capital Ch...oregoncapitalchronicle.com A 15-year-old case pitting Northwest Native Americans against the federal government has settled, with the government agreeing to plant trees.

This is what I'd call a decisive victory -- for state Rep. Paul Holvey in Eugene. 90% vote again the recall campaign. @jmshumway.bsky.social has our first story: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/10/03/e...

so remember @bbotkin.bsky.social's story about Oregon ending three Measure 110 contracts? An employee at one of them is now suing for past wages, etc. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/10/03/a...

Tens of thousands of households are at risk in Oregon from emissions from wood stoves, which are regulated by the @EPA. @EllenRosenblum is now suing the agency along with 9 other states. They want the EPA to update its standards and actually enforce them.

Oregon, nine states sue EPA over wood stove pollution that threatens tens of thousands in the state ...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Oregon joined nine other states in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over harmful wood stove emissions.

Boy's lawsuit alleges abuse in foster home as DHS turns a blind eye to complaints. Hard to read but important to report. @bbotkin.bsky.social

Boy sues state over alleged abuse and neglect in foster home – Oregon Capital Chronicleoregoncapitalchronicle.com A boy is suing the Oregon Department of Human Services for alleged abuse and neglect in a foster home where he lived for a year.

Oregon's legislative leaders have formed a joint committee to look at Oregon's addiction crisis as the Legislature's House behavioral health care committee discussed Measure 110. Everyone seems to agree that something has to change but they disagree about what.

Legislature forms committee to address Oregon’s addiction epidemic – Oregon Capital Chronicleoregoncapitalchronicle.com Legislative leaders have formed a committee to look at Oregon’s addiction crisis amid criticism of the state’s drug decriminalization law

A big subject in Oregon's capital, Salem, is the proposed payroll tax. Gov. Tina Kotek is likely to vote against it. @jmshumway.bsky.social has the details

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek expects to vote against Salem payroll tax – Oregon Capital Chronicleoregoncapitalchronicle.com Salem’s most powerful resident said Thursday she expects to vote against the city’s proposed payroll tax. Gov. Tina Kotek, who moved to the governor’s mansion at Mahonia Hall in January, is amon...

The Oregon Health Authority was slow to roll out millions of dollars in Measure 110 grants. Now @bbotkin.bsky.social has found that at least 3 contracts have been terminated but not because of the agency's oversight. It didn't discover the misuse of funds until former employees complained.

State ends two Measure 110 grants this month over misuse of funds, failure to provide services – O...oregoncapitalchronicle.com Oregon Health Authority officials have canceled three grants that received more than $2 million in Measure 110 for drug addiction services.

In Oregon, nearly 78,800 people, including 47,160 children and 14,650 infants, face a sharp cut in food benefits if the government shuts down. @statesnewsroom oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/09/25/f...