A new committee will meet this week for the first time as Oregon lawmakers start to look for solutions to the state’s drug addiction crisis.
Author: Ben Botkin
Independent review: Secretary of State auditors failed to safeguard against Fagan’s moonlighting
A report commissioned by the Department of Justice finds that former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan didn’t influence an audit’s outcome, but said auditors failed to properly weigh the public perception of her outside work.
Audit flags ‘system failures’ in ensuring mental health patients receive care
An internal audit finds that faulty assessments by an Oregon Health Authority contractor delay, reduce and sometimes eliminate care for vulnerable residents.
Survey: Oregonians express concern about homelessness, drug addiction
A survey by the nonprofit Oregon Values and Beliefs Center asked residents statewide about the state’s most pressing problems, and homelessness topped the list.
Oregon lawmakers search for Measure 110 fixes for next year’s session
Legislators are looking to tweak Measure 110 comes as the deadly epidemic of fentanyl overdoses continues in Oregon. The state faces growing criticism that the law is not getting people into treatment as intended.
Push to change Measure 110 gains momentum aimed at state vote in 2024
A coalition funded by prominent Oregonians, including retired Nike co-founder Phil Knight, plans to ask Oregon voters in 2024 to roll back some of Measure 110, the voter-passed law that decriminalized the use of hard drugs. The group, the Coalition to Fix and Improve Ballot Measure 110, announced Monday it[Read More…]
Court hears arguments in challenge of Oregon gender identity rule
Jessica Bates of Vale sued the state in April after her objection to a gender-affirming rule prompted the Oregon Department of Human Services to block her from adopting two children. The federal court in Portland heard arguments in the case Aug. 16.
Democrats warn of lost opportunities as GOP-led Senate walkout persists
AT THE CAPITOL: Bills to help wildfire response, expand health care access and prevent homelessness remain in jeopardy as neither side budges.
Session’s end won’t resolve battle over Oregon Senate walkout
Republicans plan to challenge the constitutional amendment in court that voters approved last year to prevent walkouts from halting legislative work.
Senate Republicans willing to return on final day of session as walkout continues
The GOP-led Senate walkout continued on Tuesday, May 23. The Republican lawmakers offered to return to the floor June 25, the final day of the session, to advance some bills – but that proposal got a chilly response.