Oregon Legislature
Latest Stories
Rep. Diego Hernandez’s resignation effective March 15
On Monday afternoon, Hernandez revised the date of his departure from the Oregon state Legislature, saying he plans to stay in office through March 15, rather than March 31 as he had originally proposed
Oregon bill seeks insurance coverage for out-of-hospital childbirth
Giving birth at an out-of-hospital birth center is rarely covered by insurance plans. If it is, coverage is usually minimal. A bill under consideration by the Oregon legislature would increase access to birth options and midwifery care.
Big policies take backseat as lawmakers work to address Oregon’s crises
A legislative session unlike any other in modern history will be about responding to crises.
Oregon lawmakers push to void certain COVID-19 tax breaks
Some Democrats in the Oregon Legislature say the state should opt out of several tax breaks that were a part of last spring’s $2 trillion federal COVID-19 relief package, the CARES Act.
A Democratic fight for control of the Oregon House is over
In exchange for a number of changes she hopes will make it easier for lawmakers of color to pursue top leadership, Janelle Bynum, D-Clackamas, said she would not submit her name for consideration when the House meets to elect a speaker next week, clearing the way for Tina Kotek to hold on to the seat.
What to expect from Oregon’s 1-day special session
Oregon lawmakers are set to convene in Salem on Monday for a special legislative session as many pandemic protections for Oregonians are due to expire at the end of the month. OPB politics reporter Dirk VanderHart has been tracking the session and breaks down what to expect.
Staffers for Oregon lawmakers have filed to form a union
If the effort succeeds, backers say it would be the first union of legislative staff in the country.
Oregon’s budget picture holds steady, but coronavirus looms
Economists say Oregon's economy is stable and will continue to grow slowly. But lawmakers differ on near-term steps to help those most impacted by the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Oregon Democrats pick Tina Kotek for House speaker, but a challenge remains
Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Clackamas County Democrat, said Monday she would continue to press her case for leading the Oregon House and would work to build a coalition to unseat Rep. Tina Kotek.
Oregon’s mental health system falls short for people of color. A state lawmaker is trying to change that
Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s become clear that Oregon doesn’t have enough therapists to meet everyone’s needs. For Oregonians of color, therapists that provide culturally competent care are scarce, partly due to the shortfalls of Oregon’s mental health care system. Here's what one Oregon lawmaker is doing to try and change it.