Category Archives: Willamette Week

When Californians Move to Oregon, They’re More Likely to Move to the Coast

However, migrants from other states do tend to relocate to the metro area. Portlanders’ animosity toward Californians—who are often blamed for moving here and jacking up the cost of living—may be slightly misplaced. According to a new study by state economist Josh Lehner, people who move from California to Oregon are disproportionately moving to the Oregon Coast, […]
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Oregon Budgeted Millions of Dollars to Help Poor People Buy Electric Cars. Much of the Money Has Gone Unused.

In 2017, the Legislature passed an 0.5 percent tax, called a “privilege tax,” on new car sales as part of a huge transportation package. Some of the proceeds were supposed to subsidize the purchase of electric cars by Oregonians, with special help for low-income residents. Source: Oregon Budgeted Millions of Dollars to Help Poor People […]
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There Is a Museum in Northeast Portland Displaying Rancid Milk, Diseased Playing Cards, Defective Tampons and Pieces of the Rajneesh Compound

Out of context, a list of the items on display at the International Outbreak Museum (outbreakmuseum.com) reads like the haul from a failed dumpster-diving mission, or the inventory at a hoarder’s estate sale. Source: There Is a Museum in Northeast Portland Displaying Rancid Milk, Diseased Playing Cards, Defective Tampons and Pieces of the Rajneesh Compound

President Trump Approves Oregon Disaster Declaration in Response to April Flooding

In April, Portland was inundated with unusually late-season flood warnings when rain from Northeast Oregon overwhelmed local watersheds. Source: President Trump Approves Oregon Disaster Declaration in Response to April Flooding

Oregon House Dems Elect Barbara Smith Warner as New Majority Leader 

Jennifer Williamson, the previous majority leader, stepped down last week. The Democrats in the Oregon House of Representatives have elected a new majority leader: Rep. Barbara Smith Warner (D-Portland). The previous majority leader, Rep. Jennifer Williamson (D-Portland), announced last week that she was stepping down, though she did not give a specific reason for doing […]
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Sen. Brian Boquist Must Give 12 Hours’ Notice Before Entering the Capitol, So Oregon State Troopers Can Prepare

Boquist has sued for records of his disciplinary investigation, and says his family is getting death threats. Source: Sen. Brian Boquist Must Give 12 Hours’ Notice Before Entering the Capitol, So Oregon State Troopers Can Prepare – Willamette Week

California Earthquakes Won’t Trigger the “Big One” in Oregon, but Portlanders Urged to Prepare

Last Thursday and Friday, Southern California was hit by consecutive earthquakes that damaged homes, cracked roads, caused power outages and made messes of nearby grocery and liquor stores. Source: California Earthquakes Won’t Trigger the “Big One” in Oregon, but Portlanders Urged to Prepare – Willamette Week

Murmurs: Scrapyard Bill Passes, But Advocates Are Unimpressed

On the last day of the 2019 legislative session, the Oregon Senate passed a bill that increases supervision of auto dismantlers. Source: Murmurs: Scrapyard Bill Passes, But Advocates Are Unimpressed – Willamette Week

Oregon Legislature Passes Three Notable Environmental Bills in Last Days of Legislative Session

During the last two days of the 2019 legislative session, the Oregon Senate passed three big environmental bills. Source: Oregon Legislature Passes Three Notable Environmental Bills in Last Days of Legislative Session – Willamette Week

Is Oregon Home to the Next Billion-Dollar Company?

This spring, Oregon almost saw its first unicorn. A “unicorn” is a company that sells for $1 billion. In May, an Oregon company almost did just that: Cura Cannabis was acquired by a Canadian company for $949 million in stock. Source: Is Oregon Home to the Next Billion-Dollar Company?