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Lori Chavez-DeRemer Named Nominee for U.S. Labor Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. 22 that he’s nominating Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez DeRemer (R-Ore.) for the United States Secretary of Labor. Chavez served as Oregon’s representative for Congressional District 5 and was the first person to hold the seat following a redrawing of the district in 2021. In November, she lost the seat to Democrat Janelle Bynum.

“Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds,” Trump wrote in his announcement on social media.

— Julianna LaFollette

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Gov. Kotek Calls Special Session on Wildfire Costs

Gov. Tina Kotek announced Nov. 26 that she will call a special session of the Oregon Legislature to appropriate funds to pay for the historic 2024 wildfire season, which saw a record 1.9 million acres burned and cost more than $350 million.

According to a press release, over half of the costs will eventually be covered by disaster relief funds from the federal government, but the state needs to pay its bills in a timely manner. During the session, beginning Dec. 12, the governor is asking the Legislature to release a combined total of $218 million to the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal to cover costs.

“The unprecedented 2024 wildfire season required all of us to work together to protect life, land, and property, and that spirit of cooperation must continue in order to meet our fiscal responsibilities,” said Governor Kotek. “I am grateful to legislative leaders for coming to consensus that our best course of action is to ensure the state’s fire season costs are addressed and bills paid by the end of the calendar year.”

— Julianna LaFollette

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