Local Politics

Politics Oregon House votes to extend foreclosure mediation Oregon House votes to extend foreclosure mediation
By The Associated Press Published: May 22, 2013 at 10:36 PM PDT Last Updated: May 23, 2013 at 7:41 AM PDT
The Oregon House has voted to extend a requirement that some mortgage lenders meet with struggling borrowers and a professional mediator before initiating foreclosure proceedings.
Politics Day after fluoride defeat, future of battle unclear Day after fluoride defeat, future of battle unclear (Video)
By Lincoln Graves KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: May 22, 2013 at 5:24 PM PDT
But both sides were short on specifics Wednesday, the day after Portlanders decisively defeated a proposal to add fluoride to the water. But the logical step is for each side to cast a wider net.
Politics 2 Ore. timber counties reject public safety levies 2 Ore. timber counties reject public safety levies
By Jeff Barnard, Associated Press Published: May 22, 2013 at 4:07 PM PDT
Voters in two Oregon timber counties with the lowest property taxes in the state — Curry and Josephine — turned down tax increases Tuesday that would have funded law enforcement, but a jail levy passed in a third, Lane County.
Politics Portland rejects fluoride but both sides may meet again Portland rejects fluoride but both sides may meet again (Video)
By Steve Benham KATU.com Politics Editor Published: May 21, 2013 at 4:53 PM PDT Last Updated: May 22, 2013 at 6:49 PM PDT
Fluoride advocates admitted defeat Tuesday night after unofficial election results showed Portlanders strongly against adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water. But there were indications new battle lines may be drawn in the future.
Politics WA's undercover license pgm now has legislative approval WA's undercover license pgm now has legislative approval
By Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 6:50 PM PDT
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed into law a measure giving legislative approval to a state program that has already issued hundreds of fake driver's licenses and license plates to law enforcement and government agencies.
Politics Ore. bill expands tasting spots for distilleries Ore. bill expands tasting spots for distilleries
By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 6:11 PM PDT
A bill that would give Oregon distillers more opportunities to market and sell their spirits earned final approval from the state Senate Tuesday, and now heads to the governor's desk.
Politics Timber counties unhappy about stalled federal subsidies Timber counties unhappy about stalled federal subsidies
By Jeff Barnard, Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 5:48 PM PDT
Timber counties in western Oregon are unhappy that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is taking so long to send out $2 million in federal subsidies withheld under the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration.
Politics Oregon House backs Hatfield statue in US Capitol Oregon House backs Hatfield statue in US Capitol
By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 10:52 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 10:01 AM PDT
The Oregon House voted Monday to pull a statue of Oregon pioneer Jason Lee from a prominent place in the U.S. Capitol and replace it with one of the late Mark Hatfield, one of the most influential politicians the state has seen.
Politics 'Your Voice, Your Vote': Weighing all sides of the fluoride debate 'Your Voice, Your Vote': Weighing all sides of the fluoride debate (Video)
By KATU News Published: May 20, 2013 at 1:59 PM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 3:25 PM PDT
This Tuesday Portland voters will decide if fluoride will be added to the city's water supply. It's been a high-profile issue the past few months with both sides loudly making their cases. Before you drop off your ballot we want to give you one more opportunity to hear from supporters and opponents of the fluoride measure.
Politics Dems cast aside proposed tax increases, PERS cuts to move budget Dems cast aside proposed tax increases, PERS cuts to move budget
By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Published: May 17, 2013 at 6:38 PM PDT
The Democrats in charge of writing a new state budget said Friday they're casting aside proposed tax increases and public-employee pension cuts and will begin advancing early pieces of a spending plan for the next two years.
Politics Why there are no anti-fluoride arguments in some voters' pamphlets Why there are no anti-fluoride arguments in some voters' pamphlets (Video)
By Ian Parker, KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: May 17, 2013 at 5:50 PM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2013 at 6:12 PM PDT
Some voters might have noticed that in the Washington County voter guide there are no arguments listed against the fluoride measure, even though there are many arguments for it. That has people asking why, including one viewer who wrote to ask us on Facebook.