Category Archives: Willamette Week

Smoking Lounges, Exporting Weed and U.S. Legalization: Top 5 Predicted Changes in Cannabis Law

We are in a time of unprecedented growth and rapid change for the cannabis industry across the U.S. As we look ahead at issues in the law at both the Oregon state and federal levels, here are five changes we see on the horizon. Source: Smoking Lounges, Exporting Weed and U.S. Legalization: Top 5 Predicted […]
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Environmental Advocates Are Abandoning an Oregon Ban on Plastic Straws

Amendments to a state-wide law on single use plastic straws cause some supporters to back away. Source: Environmental Advocates Are Abandoning an Oregon Ban on Plastic Straws – Willamette Week

Oregon Is Still Selling the Nation’s Cheapest Cannabis

According to a study from the Oxford Treatment Center, a drug-addiction center, Oregon is still the cheapest place in the nation to buy weed. Source: Oregon Is Still Selling the Nation’s Cheapest Cannabis – Willamette Week

Public Comments on Oregon Measles Crackdown Nearly Set an All-Time Record

Hundreds of anti-vaxx parents wanted their say. State officials counted 2,109 public testimony and staff documents filed for a Feb. 28 hearing on Oregon House Bill 3063, which would eliminate nonmedical exemptions for childhood vaccines. That’s the most people to weigh in for a single hearing on a bill this session—and the second most since […]
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Ballot Initiative Aimed at Halting the Growth of Public Pension-Related Debt Passes First Hurdle

A 2020 initiative petition aimed at curbing government borrowing to finance pension liabilities clears its first hurdle. Source: Ballot Initiative Aimed at Halting the Growth of Public Pension-Related Debt Passes First Hurdle – Willamette Week

Oregon District Attorney’s Association Email Raises Ethics Questions In Salem

The letter opposes a bill that would walk back mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines for juvenile defendants. Source: Oregon District Attorney’s Association Email Raises Ethics Questions In Salem – Willamette Week

Here’s Why Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Feels Confident in Using Cash from SAIF Corp. to Stabilize PERS Costs

The state-owned workers compensation insurer has low rates, pays high dividends and yet is still flush with cash. One of the most creative—and controversial—aspects of Gov. Kate Brown’s new proposal for stabilizing employer contributions to the Public Employee Retirement System is her suggestion that the state seed a stabilization fund by sweeping $486 million from […]
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Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Unveils Her Proposal to Stabilize Pension Costs in Schools

The governor wants money from SAIF, the kicker, capital gains and estate taxes—and public employees—to halt rising employer contributions. Gov. Kate Brown today released her plan for halting the rise in the cost of the Public Employee Retirement System costs for Oregon schools, community colleges and public universities. The governor’s concept calls for the state […]
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The Multnomah County Democrats Approved a Resolution on Thursday Asking Sen. President Peter Courtney to Resign

The vote comes in the aftermath of a sexual harassment scandal. It is unlikely to dislodge the state’s longest serving lawmaker. At their monthly meeting on April 11, the Multnomah County Democrats passed a resolution asking Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) to resign his position as presiding officer. Source: The Multnomah County Democrats Approved […]
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Portland Mayor: Trump’s Threat to Bus Immigrants to Sanctuary Cities Is “Unconscionable”

Oregon’s 31-year-old state law restricting local coordination with immigration enforcement operations has often frustrated federal immigration officials. Mayor Ted Wheeler lambasted President Donald Trump on Twitter after the Washington Post reported that the White House and federal immigration officials had considered bussing undocumented immigrants to so-called sanctuary cities and releasing them from federal custody. Source: Portland […]
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