Politics & Government

The Lane County Courthouse bond failed, 58% - 41% on Tuesday.

A group wants Lane County commissioners to use their authority to put two issues before voters next year.

If you want to vote in the May 21 election, you’ll have to return your ballot by using a drop box. It’s too late to mail ballots to ensure they’ll arrive on time.

Government bodies would have a financial incentive to respond to public records requests under a bill moving through the Oregon legislature.

Under existing Oregon law, local governments and state agencies have to provide public records within 15 days of being asked, with some exceptions. House Bill 2353 would allow Oregon’s attorney general, judges or district attorneys to levy a $200 fine on government bodies that don’t respond quickly enough.

President Trump’s self-declared business savvy suffered recently when a New York Times article deduced he lost over a billion dollars in a decade.  His losses in the late 80s through the mid 90s were enough that the real estate mogul avoided paying taxes.

The pre-funding of health benefits for U.S. postal retirees would end, if a bill backed by Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio becomes law.

Ballots are being mailed in Oregon starting Wednesday for the May 21 election.

There aren’t any statewide races to decide. But voters in most Oregon communities will decide on school board seats, along with races for community college boards and fire districts.

Voters in some areas will consider tax levies. That includes the Eugene School District, which is asking for approval of a five-year, $91 million operating levy. Lane County voters will also consider a request for $154 million in bonds to build a replacement for the 60-year-old county courthouse.

A May Day rally drew hundreds of people to the Oregon Capitol on Wednesday. They were urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 2015, which would allow people to get an Oregon driver’s license without proof of legal U.S. residence.

Voters in Corvallis will decide in May whether to approve a tax levy that would fund the city’s library, parks and swimming pool.

Many critics of Donald Trump were upset when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said recently that the president wasn’t “worthy” of impeachment. 

Another House Democrat, Peter DeFazio of Oregon, says there is a better option at the moment.

Eugene City Manager Jon Ruiz will deliver his 2020 budget to the City Council on Wednesday. He calls the $677 million spending plan a solid one.

Former Oregon First Lady Cylvia Hayes agreed to a settlement with a state ethics panel Friday over allegations that she used her position for personal benefit.

Oregon Democratic Representative Peter DeFazio is among those blasting President Trump, for tweeting a video that makes a Muslim Congresswoman appear dismissive of the 9-11 attacks.

The state of Oregon wants to make sure all of its residents are counted during next year’s census. Gov. Kate Brown kicked off the efforts Monday at the state capitol.

Voters in Corvallis approved the city’s first ever Urban Renewal District during a special election this month. The district includes a section of the city known as South Corvallis. 

Lane County voters will decide in May whether to fund a newcourthouse. The Elections office certified ballot title language formeasure 20-299 this week.

House Democrats  Friday introduced a resolution to block President Trump’s emergency declaration on border security. KLCC’s Rachael McDonald spoke with Springfield Democrat Peter DeFazio.

The Eugene City Council will consider a proposed payroll tax to fund expanded public safety. The tax would be paid by employers and employees and generate an estimated $22.8 million a year.

Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson says he is scaling back his work schedule even more as he continues cancer treatments.

The cap-and-trade bill introduced in Salem last week could be one of the more divisive bills this Legislative session. The bill would force Oregon’s top polluters to pay for the greenhouse gases they emit, and it would gradually decrease how many emissions are allowed.