Local Politics

Politics Inslee criticizes lack of progress on budget

By Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Published: Jun 4, 2013 at 7:18 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 4, 2013 at 7:18 PM PDT

Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday that he is concerned about the "lack of substantive progress" in budget negotiations as lawmakers near the end of an overtime session, and he specifically called out a measure put forth by Senate Republicans that he says will take money away from education.

Politics No deal on second day of Oregon budget talks

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 4, 2013 at 6:42 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 4, 2013 at 6:42 PM PDT

A spokesman for Gov. John Kitzhaber said Tuesday that there were no meetings scheduled to continue negotiations.

Politics Wash., Ore. sign agreements with businesses affected by CRC

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 4, 2013 at 2:19 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 4, 2013 at 2:19 PM PDT

Washington and Oregon have signed agreements with two manufacturers that would be impacted by a proposed bridge over the Columbia River.

Politics U.S. Rep. says her unborn baby has serious medical condition (Video)

By Erica Nochlin KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: Jun 4, 2013 at 12:28 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 4, 2013 at 12:28 AM PDT

Southwest Washington's U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler posted on Facebook on Monday that doctor's had diagnosed her unborn baby with Potter’s Syndrome.

Politics Governor asks lawmakers for power to save counties on the brink

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: Jun 3, 2013 at 10:10 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 3, 2013 at 10:10 PM PDT

Unprecedented action is needed to tackle unprecedented circumstances facing the state's timber counties that are on the brink of insolvency, Gov. John Kitzhaber told a legislative committee Monday.

Politics Oregon Republican Party's top staffer moves on

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 3, 2013 at 4:58 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 3, 2013 at 4:58 PM PDT

Executive Director Greg Leo said Monday that he's stepping aside from the part-time job after five years at the GOP.

Politics No deal in budget talks with governor, legislators

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 3, 2013 at 3:15 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 3, 2013 at 3:16 PM PDT

Oregon's governor and legislative leaders met for three hours but have not reached a compromise on the state budget.

Politics Ore. Legislature bans smoking in cars with kids

By Associated Press Published: Jun 3, 2013 at 12:59 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 4, 2013 at 2:46 PM PDT

The Oregon Legislature has approved a bill that would make it a crime to smoke in a car with kids.

Politics Legislature passes bill guarding students' social media passwords

By Associated Press Published: Jun 3, 2013 at 12:25 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 3, 2013 at 2:44 PM PDT

The Oregon Legislature has passed a bill prohibiting public and private universities from demanding students or applicants turn over their usernames and passwords to social media sites.

Politics No budget deal in sight as Wash. special session enters final days

By Associated Press Published: Jun 3, 2013 at 11:36 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 3, 2013 at 11:36 AM PDT

With just over a week left in an overtime legislative session, negotiations between key lawmakers are set to continue, but there's still no budget deal in sight and limited activity at the Capitol.

Politics What's left to do? Oregon Legislature nears end of 2013 session

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: Jun 2, 2013 at 3:27 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 2, 2013 at 4:23 PM PDT

The Oregon Legislature has passed several notable changes this session, but much important work — such as creating a state spending plan — is yet to be completed.

Politics Oregon coal port gets key draft permit

By Jeff Barnard, Associated Press Published: Jun 1, 2013 at 6:49 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 1, 2013 at 6:49 PM PDT

An Australian energy company has cleared a key hurdle for a terminal on the Oregon side of the Columbia River that would ship coal from the Great Plains to Asia.

Politics City plans to shut down some reservoirs, cover others (Video)

By Emily Sinovic, KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: Jun 1, 2013 at 5:45 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 1, 2013 at 6:41 PM PDT

The City of Portland will announce Monday that it will comply with Federal rules and shut down or cover its open reservoirs.

Politics The election may be over, but fluoride is still a hot topic (Video)

By Ian Parker KATU News Published: May 31, 2013 at 4:14 PM PDT Last Updated: May 31, 2013 at 6:32 PM PDT

A new petition recently submitted to the City of Portland called the 'Portland Clean Water Measure' could be the next move in the fluoride debate.

Politics Salem Hospital offers mediation in CCO dispute

By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Published: May 31, 2013 at 9:56 PM PDT Last Updated: May 31, 2013 at 9:56 PM PDT

Salem Hospital officials are offering to enter mediation with the local coordinated care organization in hopes of resolving a high-profile dispute that has drawn the ire of state lawmakers and threatens to undermine Oregon's effort to redesign Medicaid.