Oregon Capital Chronicle, Author at KTVZ

Corporate profits, consumer spending reverse Oregon’s deficit – but budget challenges remain

February 4, 2026 1:28 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capitol Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon lawmakers meeting at the Capitol to balance the state’s budget are staring…

Oregon Legislature 101: Here’s how state laws get passed – and how you can take part in the process

February 3, 2026 1:08 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Whether you’re wondering when the state will finally fix that pothole, whether new…

Oregon’s top election officer says lawmakers can move up transportation referendum date – if they act quickly

January 29, 2026 12:15 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capitol Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Tina Kotek have less than one month to pass a bill if they…

Oregon’s high school graduation rate inches up to record high, still below U.S. average; look up your school, district

January 29, 2026 10:48 am Oregon Capital Chronicle, Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding Crook County, Redmond statements) By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon high schoolers in the…

DHS federal police protests Portland OCC

Fewer immigrants are seeking Oregon health care benefits under Trump

January 28, 2026 1:46 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Thousands fewer people are receiving health care through a Medicaid-like Oregon program…

Chewaucan River Fremont-Winema National Forest

Federal judge ends oft-used exemption to environmental review for logging on federal land

January 27, 2026 6:51 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — A 34-year-old rule exempting some commercial logging projects on federal lands from…

Rep. Janelle Bynum pitches patchwork ‘K-30’ plan to tackle generational affordability issues

January 27, 2026 3:56 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle WEST LINN, Ore.— At a library in suburban West Linn, nursing students, millennial parents and recent…

Ex-Blazer Chris Dudley, who narrowly lost governor’s race in 2010, says he’s running again for GOP nomination

January 26, 2026 1:39 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle PORTLAND, Ore. — Chris Dudley, the ex-Portland Trail Blazer who came closer than any Republican in…

‘Just a start’: Kotek, industry leaders inch closer to reforms for Oregon business climate

January 22, 2026 6:16 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle PORTLAND, Ore. –Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek kicked off her plan Thursday to jump-start Oregon’s economy…

Governor Kotek names Nevada’s state forester as the first woman to lead Oregon’s Department of Forestry

January 22, 2026 2:21 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — After a year-long search, Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen Nevada’s state forester to take the…

Republican transportation referendum leader announces bid for Oregon governor

January 21, 2026 4:37 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By: Mia Maldonado (Oregon Capital Chronicle)One of the leaders behind the effort to block increases to Oregon’s gas tax has entered the race for…

Oregon governor forms new committee to advise on massive data center growth

January 20, 2026 12:57 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon’s governor is organizing a new committee of advisers to weigh in on issues arising from the rapid growth of data centers in the…

Oregon bill would require home insurers to consider owners’ wildfire prevention efforts

January 20, 2026 10:46 am Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon homeowners who take steps to protect their homes from wildfire could pay less for property insurance under a southern Oregon state senator’s…

Flock debate: Oregon lawmakers poised to tackle ‘fishing expedition’ searches of license plate data

January 20, 2026 10:24 am Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — A powerful Oregon legislative committee chair is calling for increased “safeguards…

Interstate 5 Bridge over the Columbia River

Coast Guard OKs new I-5 bridge over Columbia River with a fixed, not movable span

January 19, 2026 12:53 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard PORTLAND, Ore. — Washington and Oregon will not have to build a bridge with a movable span to…

Overhaul of Oregon’s school funding formula, public education goals has lawmakers at odds

January 19, 2026 11:54 am Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — There’s an ambitious effort underway at the Capitol to overhaul how the state determines…