Regional/National
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Judge in PacifiCorp Wildfire Trials Wants to Quadruple the Court’s Pace

Many victims of the 2020 wildfires still await resolution of their damages.
by Jeff Manning, Oregon Journalism Project

A Multnomah County circuit judge has adopted an ambitious new schedule to speed up a class action lawsuit PacifiCorp faces over Oregon’s 2020 wildfires. Judge Steffan Alexander approved a new case management order July 28 that will quadruple the number of damages trials by February. The new schedule calls for four damages trials to run simultaneously. […]

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Governor Kotek Issues Notice of Potential Vetoes for 2025 Legislative Session

The Governor has until Aug. 8 to take final action
Avatar photo by Nic Moye

Pursuant to Article V, Section 15b(4), of the Oregon Constitution, Governor Tina Kotek provided notice to the Legislature that she is considering vetoes of the following bills and budget items from the 2025 legislative session. The Governor has until August 8, 2025, to take final action.  Policy bills: House Bill 3824 – Allows physical therapists to […]

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Ballot Initiative Seeks to Repeal New Permit Fees on Paddleboards & Kayaks

A new law levies fees on human-powered vessels to raise money to fight invasive species
by Nigel Jaquiss, Oregon Journalism Project

A trio of petitioners aims to repeal a new law that would require paddle-boarders and flatwater kayakers to pay state permit fees starting in January. “I think it goes against our constitutional rights,” says Angela Epperson, a Hermiston resident who enjoys kayaking on the Columbia and Umatilla Rivers. “I just think they’ve gone too far.” In […]

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Governor Kotek Signs Bills that Break Down Barriers to Housing Construction

Bipartisan legislation builds on Governor Kotek’s goal to increase housing supply and bring down costs
by The Source Staff

Hillsboro, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek commemorated the signing of House Bill 2138, House Bill 3031, House Bill 2258, Senate Bill 684, and House Bill 3145, bipartisan bills aimed at building the housing that Oregonians need with the urgency they deserve. These bills are an essential component of the Governor’s work to break down […]

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Governor Kotek Signs Historic Clean Drinking Water Legislation

Changes take essential steps forward to address water quality and transparency concerns, while protecting the health of all Oregonians
by The Source Staff

Salem, OR — Last week, Governor Tina Kotek signed Senate Bill 1154 and House Bill 3525 into law, two pieces of legislation which take essential steps forward to address water quality and transparency concerns, while protecting the health of all Oregonians. “There is no more essential public resource than water,” Governor Kotek said. “Oregonians are […]

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Governor Kotek Calls for Special Session to Address Transportation System Emergency

Legislature will return to Salem next month to restore essential transportation services and staff
by The Source Staff

Salem, OR — Governor Tina Kotek announced today that she is using her constitutional authority to call a special session of the Oregon Legislature to begin on Friday, August 29, 2025, for lawmakers to take up legislation to pay for basic road maintenance and operations at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), as well as […]

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Governor Kotek Signs Landmark Microgrid Legislation into State Law

Microgrids could be essential to energy resilience, security, and stability across the state of Oregon
by Sophie Haney

Salem, OR — Last Thursday, Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bills 2065 and 2066 into law, two pieces of landmark legislation which aim to increase and expedite access to microgrids across urban, suburban, and rural Oregon communities. “Microgrid technology is an indispensable way to make power outages less risky, shorter lived, and could even save […]

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Kevin Mannix Files Ballot Initiative to End Estate Tax

Legislators have tried and failed to raise Oregon’s threshold, the lowest in the nation.
by Nigel Jaquiss, Oregon Journalism Project

After another session in which some lawmakers tried again—and failed again—to raise the $1 million threshold at which Oregon’s estate tax kicks in, state Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-Salem) and co-petitioner Michelle Mhoon have filed a ballot initiative to do away with the tax completely. Initiative Petition 51, the “End the Death Tax Act,” would do […]

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The U.S. Government Sold Off Aging Ships — Leaving States in the Pacific NW To Pay

Oregon, Washington officials say they’ve spent millions removing or destroying abandoned vessels
by Aspen Ford / InvestigateWest

Three years ago on a sunny day in August, a nearly 80-year-old steel, navy blue ship with patched holes and streaks of rust drifted down an inlet connecting downtown Tacoma to Commencement Bay. The 169-foot vessel was an unusual sight for local boaters who use the narrow channel to dock their small recreational watercraft. As […]

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Governor Kotek Invokes Conflagration Act for the Highland Fire

Fire in Crook County marks the fifth conflagration this wildfire season
by The Source Staff

Salem, OR — On the evening of July 12, 2025, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Highland Fire in Crook County. The Crook County Fire Defense Board Chief requested assistance with life, safety, and structural fire protection, and the state fire marshal concurred with that request. Following ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek […]

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