November 2022 General Election Voters Guide

Table of Contents Federal offices US Senator Ron Wyden  Wyden has been a U.S. Senator since 1996. While an entrenched official isn’t the best for their constituency, Wyden has actively worked to tax billionaires, legalize cannabis, end surveillance, and curb climate change on levels we just don’t see from other long-time politicians. He’s done it with comparatively… Continue reading November 2022 General Election Voters Guide

Impending deadline for ballot petitions

Voters in Oregon can send initiatives to the ballot without going through the state legislature, a county commission or a city council. Instead, someone wanting to propose a change to existing laws can collect signatures to send a measure directly to voters. The deadlines to collect those signatures for the upcoming general election are fast approaching: July… Continue reading Impending deadline for ballot petitions

March State of the Ballot, Part Two

We passed two major deadlines for the May primary last week: March 8 was the last day candidates could file to run in the primary. March 11 was the last day candidates could withdraw from the primary. With those two dates behind us, we now know who is actually on the ballot and which races… Continue reading March State of the Ballot, Part Two

2022 Legislative Session Wrap Up

Lots of last minute action Starting last Thursday, state legislators voted on more than 60 bills still under consideration. They finished before noon on Friday and Senate President Peter Courtney gaveled out his last regular session before his planned retirement at the end of his term. The deadline to finish all legislative work is today, March 7 — the… Continue reading 2022 Legislative Session Wrap Up

Digest: Monday, February 27, 2022

Legislative scheduling notes This year’s legislative session ends next week, on March 7. Any bill not voted on by both chambers of the Oregon State Legislature by next Monday is effectively extinct. A legislator can propose it again during the next legislative session, which isn’t scheduled until 2023 (although special sessions have been convened multiple… Continue reading Digest: Monday, February 27, 2022

Digest: Monday, February 21, 2022

Quick updates HB 4002 — Provides overtime compensation for farmworkers: The bill passed a vote in the House Committee on Business and Labor and was referred to the House Committee on Revenue, which hasn’t yet scheduled a hearing. HB 4147 — Returns voting rights to people who are currently incarcerated: The bill is assigned to the House Committee on… Continue reading Digest: Monday, February 21, 2022

Digest: Monday, February 14, 2022

The Oregon State Legislature is moving quickly through its short session. This digest has some of the highlights from last week, as well as bills to keep an eye on this week. Upcoming bills are listed in order of their next scheduled hearing or work session. Last week’s highlights Multiple bills have passed through committee… Continue reading Digest: Monday, February 14, 2022

Digest: Wednesday, February 9, 2022

A new contract with the Portland police union The City of Portland and the Portland Police Association announced yesterday that they’ve negotiated a new contract. Both parties seem pleased with their agreement, which means that the average Portland resident has cause for concern. City commissioners will hear public comment during three upcoming events: an information… Continue reading Digest: Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Calendar: February 8 to February 15

Tuesday, February 8 6:00 p.m. — Portland Public Schools Board Meeting Portland Public Schools’ school board will hold a regularly scheduled meeting. An agenda for the meeting is online and contains public comment opportunities for PPS’s new climate crisis response policy. The meeting will be in person but it will also be streamed on YouTube.… Continue reading Calendar: February 8 to February 15

Digest: Monday, February 7, 2022

The Oregon State Legislature’s schedule is packed this week with committee hearing about a variety of bills. You may also want to put some time on your own schedule to contact the state representative and state senator for your home district. Share your opinions on these bills before they go to votes. After all, eliminating… Continue reading Digest: Monday, February 7, 2022