Latest Oregon state government News

Oregon's top court asked to decide if GOP senators who boycotted Legislature can be reelected

Sep. 25, 2023 20:37 PM EDT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Court of Appeals on Monday asked the state's highest court to decide whether Republican state senators who carried out a record-setting GOP walkout this year can run for reelection. The senators are challenging a constitutional amendment approved by...

GOP senators who boycotted Oregon Legislature file for reelection despite being disqualified

Sep. 14, 2023 17:56 PM EDT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon state senators with at least 10 absences during a record-setting Republican walkout are supposed to be disqualified from running for reelection, but several on Thursday filed candidacy papers with election authorities. Following GOP walkouts in the...

Oregon Republican senators sue to run for reelection, saying walkout rule shouldn't stop them

Aug. 26, 2023 17:26 PM EDT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Five Republican state senators in Oregon are suing to be allowed to run for reelection next year even though they accumulated a large number of unexcused absences during a walkout aimed at blocking votes on abortion rights and gun safety. Oregon voters passed a...

Post-GOP walkout, Oregon elections chief says lawmakers with 10 or more absences can't run next term

Aug. 08, 2023 19:44 PM EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The 10 Republican state senators in Oregon who racked up more than 10 unexcused absences during a walkout in the most recent legislative session can't run for reelection in 2024, the state’s elections chief said Tuesday. Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne...

Oregon Capitol construction quietly edges $90 million over budget

Aug. 08, 2023 18:27 PM EDT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon lawmakers this year quietly approved a $90 million cost overrun for a Capitol renovation project, ratcheting up spending by nearly 25% without public notice. The new expenses found in budget bills passed late in the legislative session, were not mentioned...

Oregon's Cannon Beach reopens after cougar sighting on iconic coastal rock led to closure

Jul. 17, 2023 20:39 PM EDT

CANNON BEACH, Ore. (AP) — A cougar that climbed onto a towering rock off the coast of northwest Oregon over the weekend — probably in search of feathered prey — has abandoned the craggy formation, allowing for the popular Cannon Beach to reopen to visitors Monday. Multiple...

Oregon state senators who walked off job are making reelection plans

Jul. 07, 2023 18:26 PM EDT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A group of Republican senators and one Republican-turned-Independent who held up Oregon’s legislative session during the longest walkout in state history are deciding whether to seek reelection, despite the fact that most Oregon voters want them barred from doing so. ...