oregon legislature
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A New Representative for Bend

Cheri Helt sits down with the Source as she begins her first term in the Oregon House
Judy Stiegler

The pomp and circumstance of the 80th Oregon Legislature began Monday with both the Senate and the House convening to swear in members-elect for each chamber, and then convening a joint session for the inauguration of Gov. Kate Brown. Central Oregon has two new legislators in the Oregon House beginning this legislative session. Cheri Helt, […]

Posted inNews

It’s Equal Pay Day!

…but it’s not exactly a reason to celebrate
Avatar photo Nicole Vulcan

You’ve probably heard the stats that women tend to earn roughly 80 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts. In Oregon, women earn an estimated 79 cents to the dollar, placing the state 27th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.  For Latinas and black women, that gap is even […]

Posted inOpinion

Prediction: In this short legislative session, all the shortcomings of a short session will be compounded by politics.

Governor Brown touts increasing graduation rates, avoids PERS
The Source Staff

Opening day at the state legislature is akin to the first day of school. You hear a rousing speech, followed by sessions that briefly touch on what you’ll tackle throughout the year. There might even be treats—and there will certainly be some playground squabbling. And so it was at the opening day of the 2018 […]

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Wyden, Merkley Introduce Mineral Withdrawal Bill

Legislation helps farmers and ranchers, protects high desert
Hayley Jo Murphy

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley on June 9 introduced legislation that would protect more than 2 million acres of the world-renowned high desert in southeastern Oregon from outside mineral exploitation, including oil and gas drilling, and build on long-time local economic strengths by helping farmers and ranchers. Wyden and Merkley […]

Posted inOpinion

Oregon’s Education Crisis

The Source Staff

Five high schools in Bend will celebrate graduation in June, with Mountain View first on June 9, followed by La Pine High on June 10, Summit and Bend Senior High on June 11, and Marshall on June 13. For many, it will be one of life’s happiest days, but nearly one in four students won’t […]

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Deschutes County Will Lift Ban on Rural Cannabis

Steve Holmes

Deschutes County Commissioners last week confirmed that they will eventually lift the temporary ban on cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of the county. After receiving recommendations from the county Planning Commission, Marijuana Advisory Committee, and the public, the commissioners have concluded what even they described as lengthy deliberations and have begun the process of adopting […]

Posted inNews

Oregon Legislature Adjourns

Minimum wage increase is hallmark of 2016 legislative session
Sherron Lumley

SALEM – The Oregon Legislature adjourned the 2016 legislative session “sine die” yesterday, three days before the March 6 constitutional deadline for adjournment.   House Speaker Tina Kotek (D – N/NE Portland) released the following statement: “It has been an honor to serve Oregonians as the Speaker of our House of Representatives. Our elected leaders stepped […]

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