James Neff, Oregon Journalism Project

Rural Oregon hunters and the state’s urban environmentalists have joined in a rare public embrace. The two groups, who often fall on opposite sides of the political spectrum, are together pursuing a tax increase that would benefit them both. In the Legislature’s waning hours, these strange bedfellows support House Bill 2977, a bipartisan measure that […]

After a week of secrecy, Travel Oregon and its commissioners have revealed what they are paying CEO Todd Davidson to stay on in the top job for one more year after he retires this month. Davidson, who made a $365,000 base salary in 2024 and is one of highest-paid agency heads in state government, will […]

Shortly after Travel Oregon’s CEO announced his retirement, the commission that oversees the agency voted to keep him on for a year to help pick his successor and approved a new employment package. But the state agency is now unwilling to share with the public the details of his offer letter.  It’s a significant omission […]

The exercise can be frustrating. Every two years, Oregon’s semi-independent state agencies—Travel Oregon and more than a dozen others—undergo financial review by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Office, which then shares a report with lawmakers. But among those agencies, Travel Oregon, with a $95 million biennial budget, as well as the much smaller Oregon Wine Board […]

During commercial breaks this television season, viewers were likely to spy a Muppet-like beaver leading delighted visitors on a snowshoe hike past Mount Hood or singing the benefits of fishing guides while flycasting in pristine Oregon waters. These jaunty scenes, produced by award-winning Portland-based ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, grab the attention but are also somewhat puzzling […]