
heatherroberts


Oregon Lawmakers Look At Pushing Pause Button On Factory Farms
A proposed bill in Salem would impose a moratorium on new mega farms in Oregon. Lawmakers are considering two amendments to either pause new licensing of all factory farms for eight years, or only the largest poultry farms for two years. Lucy Go...

Potato Vote Clears Oregon Senate
The potato is one step closer to becoming the state vegetable of Oregon. State Senator Bill Hansell posed this question before this week's vote.
"Should the potato the Oregon vegetable be, or not to be, that is the question before us."
Hans...

Haaland Slated To Tour Oregon This Weekend
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is scheduled to visit Oregon this weekend. Senator Jeff Merkley said he’s asked the Secretary for some time to come to the state and talk about important investments in tourism.
“To discuss public recreation on public lands, which, we have these extraordinary lands that are in our collective ownership. And we want to make sure...

Oregon Looking At Taking Control Of Healthcare Marketplace
Oregon lawmakers are considering whether to bring the healthcare marketplace under state control, instead of healthcare.gov. Oregonians who don't get health insurance from an employer and aren't eligible for the Oregon Health Plan can buy insurance through the federal website Healthcare.gov. Chi...

Oregon’s Ag Labor Legislation Returns To The House
A bill supporters claim will fix Oregon's farm worker overtime law has cleared the state Senate. But, opponents say the measure doesn’t mitigate the risk to the state’s farming community.
House Bill 4002 cleared the state legislature last year, mandating overtime for ag workers, and creating a host of problems for producers. The new bill introduced ...

While Many Don’t Like Changing Clocks, A Plan Forward Isn’t Clear
As we prepare to “spring forward” this weekend, a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate looks to stop the twice-yearly time change. Oregon’s Ron Wyden recently reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would keep Daylight Saving Time year-round. But fellow Oregon Democra...

HB 2058 Won’t Help Oregon Farmers, Says Boshart Davis
A bill supporters claim will apply fixes to Oregon’s farm worker overtime law is advancing. When House Bill 4002 passed last year, mandating overtime for agricultural workers, supporters insisted they would consider updates this session. House Bill 20...

Drought Emergencies Declared In Central Oregon
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared drought emergencies for Crook and Jefferson counties in the central portion of the state. That now directs agencies to prioritize assistance to the region. Both counties requested the declaration in January...

SNAP Emergency Benefits Increase, Before Disappearing
Most Oregonians who receive food assistance through the SNAP program will again see a larger allotment this month; but it’s the last time emergency food benefits will go out. Around 416,000 Oregon households will share an additional 71-thousand dollars in payments in February. March will be...

Could Hunting, Fishing Become Constitutional Rights In Oregon?
The Oregon Legislature is considering whether to put a measure on the ballot asking voters if hunting and fishing should be a constitutional right. Currently, signatures are being gathered for an initiative that would ban fishing and hunting. Amy Pat...