Latest news with #OregonLegislature
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
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Oregon Senate overrides Gov. Kotek's veto of foster children bill in rare legislative move
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The Oregon Senate has overridden a veto by Governor Tina Kotek in a maneuver not seen in the Oregon Legislature in more than a decade. Governor Kotek had vetoed Senate Bill 875, which codifies the rights of foster children into law. The bill was championed with bipartisan support from both chambers of the legislature, said Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek). Portland boba shop vandalism suspect arrested The Senate overrode Kotek's veto of the bill, which is the first time this has happened in the Oregon Legislature since 2011. The override passed with a 21-6 vote. SB 875 will now move to the House of Representatives for veto consideration. The bill was championed by both Sen. Hayden and Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Corvallis). SB 875 would expand the Oregon Foster Children's Bill of Rights and the Siblings Bill of Rights, providing added protections for children in foster care, according to proponents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
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Oregon lawmakers rush to finalize $11B transportation package
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Time is running out on the Oregon legislative session, and lawmakers are still working on a . With just three days to go, questions remain about what it will include and if they can finish in time. Wyden doubles down on fight to keep Trail Blazers in Portland in Rolling Stone interview On Wednesday night, a was introduced under House Speaker Julie Fahey's name. Republican lawmakers said they are not thrilled about the timing. The Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment met Thursday for a public hearing and work session to discuss the amendment — the committee elected to advance the plan with the amendment on Thursday evening. This new version cut out a lot of tax increases the original had, but it still would raise over $11 billion over 10 years. The amendment includes a bump to the gas tax. The original would raise it to 55 cents by 2028, but the new version raises it to 52 cents next year. KOIN 6 News asked what sticking points remain as the deadline approaches. 'I think it's just the size and the scope of the tax,' Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Rural Polk & Yamhill Counties) said. 'It's a massive tax, over $11 billion that they're going to pull out of Oregonians' pockets. I think that's really the issue.' 'Not working': Gov. Kotek responds to criticism over attempt to ditch Preschool for All Democrat Sen. Khanh Pham, the co-chair of the transportation committee, shared the following statement. 'Ultimately, is a compromise bill that provides some resources, at least for the next few years, to maintain our existing roads and keep our buses running at just current service levels, no extension, and just invest in safer streets in our communities.' If this bill does pass the House, it still has to go through the Senate. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon set to fund projects in Springfield, Eugene, Junction City, Veneta
Behavioral stabilization, economic development infrastructure and air conditioning equipment are among the priorities identified in Lane County in the Oregon Legislature's end-of-the-session "Christmas tree bill." The omnibus budget reconciliation is the official name of the bill used to balance the state budget and fund a wide range of projects and programs throughout the state. It is nicknamed the "Christmas tree bill" because it includes a long list of "ornaments" added to the bill at the request of individual lawmakers. Lawmakers push for a mix of projects in their district, everything from capital improvements to historic preservation. The bill passed the Legislature's budget committee 20-0 June 24. It was scheduled for a reading on the House Floor June 27. The 55-page bill earmarks funds for the following projects in Lane County: $14.5 million for the Lane County Stabilization Center. The project is a longtime priority of Lane County government, which wants to open a facility to provide urgent care for mental health crises. In October, Lane County and PeaceHealth announced the site where they plan to put it near PeaceHealth RiverBend. The county plans for a capacity of 20 adult recliners, 16 adult beds and 12 youth beds. $6 million to the city of Eugene for Clear Lake Road Economic Development Infrastructure. The city expanded its Urban Growth Boundary on Clear Lake Road in 2017 to add 924 acres of land for job growth that is mostly zoned light-medium industrial. The area has remained undeveloped, but the city aims to expand infrastructure there with state funding, allowing business to follow. The city had requested $10.5 million, "but $6 million will go a long ways," City Councilor Randy Groves said. $4.8 million for improvements to the air handler return equipment at the Oregon State Hospital's Junction City campus to address air quality in the event of environmental air concerns, such as forest fires. $2 million for the Northwest Youth Corps Campus Capacity Upgrade Project. The youth conservation corps plans upgrades to its Eugene headquarters on August Street. Upgrades include renovations to the parking lot including EV charging, classrooms to allow more students and the electrical system. Funding for the project includes this state legislative grant, $4 million from USDA and $100,000 from the Department of Energy. $1.7 million to the city of Veneta for Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Wetland Mitigation Credits. According to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, upgrades to increase sewer capacity are needed before Veneta reaches a 6,200-person population (Portland State University estimates Veneta's population as 5,259) and will cost $3.48 million. $600,000 for the city of Oakridge Community Health and Medical Services Center at the Willamette Activity Center. $90,000 for the city of Cottage Grove Armory ADA Access Improvement Project. Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at atorres@ or on X @alanfryetorres. Capi Lynn, Senior Reporter for the Statesman Journal, contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon 'Christmas Tree bill' includes Lane County projects
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Live updates: 2025 legislative session draws to a close
The Oregon House of Representatives chamber is located in the west wing of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. (Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle) After nearly six months in Salem, the Oregon Legislature must end its work by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 29. Before that can happen, lawmakers are set to take up a slimmed-down version of a transportation tax and spending bill and pass several dozen more bills. Capital Chronicle reporters will be at the Capitol and watching the action every step of the way. Check back here for live updates. 2 mins ago 33 mins ago 4 hours ago 2 mins ago Earlier this week Gov. Tina Kotek vetoed a bill aimed at strengthening protections for youth in foster care. The Senate quickly overrode her veto on Wednesday. On Thursday, the Oregon House voted 49-4 to table Senate Bill 875, preventing the Legislature from moving forward with a veto overturn this session. The bill would have required a court order for blocking or limiting contact among foster children and their siblings. The measure also lists out several rights for foster kids, including being assigned an attorney, maintaining access to personal belongings like toys and being given appropriate luggage to carry their belongings 33 mins ago House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, on Thursday morning removed Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, from the Joint Transportation Reinvestment Committee, the first hurdle the revamped transportation bill faces. Evans earlier this week said he wanted off the committee because it was 'no use' to serve on it when all he could do was vote on a bill he was frustrated that he didn't have a role in negotiating. He remained frustrated on Wednesday, texting 'Not thrilled. Very, very frustrated with our current leadership.' Rep. John Lively, D-Eugene, will take Evans' place ahead of a meeting scheduled for 3:30 p.m. 4 hours ago Both the House and Senate are set to head to the floor at 10 a.m. Thursday. The House has a long list of bills to vote on, while the Senate has just seven scheduled so far. At 3:30 p.m., the pared-down transportation package expected to raise $11.7 billion over the next 10 years will have its only public hearing in the Joint Transportation Reinvestment Committee. Lawmakers on the committee plan to vote on the bill at 4:30, teeing up a potential House vote Thursday evening. Read more about the transportation proposal.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon's minimum wage will increase once again in July 2025. Here's what to know
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon's minimum wage will be rising again next week. On July 1, the state's minimum wage will increase by 35 cents across the state's three-tiered system. The three-tiered system, created by the legislature in 2016, divides minimum wage increases into categories based on county, with wage increases based on the Consumer Price Index. Under the increase, the minimum wage in the Portland metro area — including Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties — will be set at $16.30 per hour. The standard minimum wage in Oregon — including Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Deschutes, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Yamhill, and parts of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington outside the urban growth boundary — will be set at $15.05 per hour. The non-urban minimum wage will increase to $14.05 per hour in Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler counties. By April 30 of every year, the calculates an adjustment of the standard minimum wage rate. The minimum wage in Oregon has increased by $5.80 since 2016. In the Portland metro area, it has increased by $7.05. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
