Tag: oregon
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Campaign behind initiative to criminalize hunting, fishing, and any intentional injury to animals in Oregon submits required number of signatures
The campaign behind a ballot initiative to criminalize hunting, fishing, and any intentional injury to animals in Oregon submitted over 120,000 signatures as of May 20. The initiative, referred to by the sponsors as the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, would amend Chapter 167 of the Oregon Revised Statutes to…
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Five incumbents in Oregon are running in contested U.S. House primaries this year — tying with 2018 for the most since 2014
This year’s filing deadline for incumbents running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Oregon was March 3, 2026. The filing deadline for non-incumbents was March 10, 2026. Five incumbents — four Democrats and one Republican — are running in contested primaries. This year ties with 2018 for the highest number of incumbents running in…
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Oregon enacts campaign finance changes, four other election bills in 2026
The Oregon Legislature adjourned its regular session on March 8 after enacting five election-related bills, all of which Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed in March and April. Among those bills were two campaign finance measures. HB 4017 allows campaign funds to be used for reasonable security-related expenses, including security and alarm systems or monitoring services…
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Campaign submits signatures for veto referendum to repeal Oregon gas tax increase and other parts of transportation funding bill
No Tax Oregon, the committee sponsoring a veto referendum against an increase to the state’s gas tax, filed nearly 200,000 signatures on Dec. 12 to repeal parts of a transportation funding bill passed during the legislature’s special session in September. The transportation funding bill, House Bill 3991, passed along party lines in September, carried by…
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On this date in 1933, Oregon voters repealed a tax on the sale of oleomargarine, the fourth veto referendum to repeal margarine laws in 13 years
Ninety-two years ago, on July 21, 1933, Oregon voters decided a veto referendum against legislation proposing a tax on the sale of oleomargarine. Voters repealed the tax. The contested legislation would have created a sales tax of four cents per pound on the sale of all oleomargarine, commonly known as margarine, sold in the state of…
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Oregon governor signs ESG investing law
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed the Climate Resilience Investment Act on June 26, directing the state’s $96 billion Public Employees Retirement System to study the effects of its investments on climate change and to “pursue the goal of reducing the carbon intensity of the fund.” The law is among the first to directly require…
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Oregon joins 45 other states in allowing the governor to make appointments to vacant U.S. Senate seats
On June 20, 2025, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed Senate Bill 952 (SB 952), which gives the governor the power to appoint an interim U.S. senator for the state if a vacancy occurs. The bill includes the following provisions: In 36 states, governors appoint individuals to fill vacancies temporarily until a special election. The…
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Federal judge declares Oregon cannabis union law unconstitutional, overturning the 2024 ballot measure
Oregon Measure 119, which was approved by voters in November 2024, was overturned by a federal judge on May 20, 2025. District Judge Michael H. Simon issued an opinion holding that the ballot measure violates the U.S. Constitution and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by limiting employers’ right to free speech. Measure 119, which…
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Oregon's role as a pioneer of direct democracy
Episode #188 Oregon’s role as a pioneer of direct democracy On this episode: Oregon’s long and lively ballot measure history takes center stage as we explore how the state became a pioneer in direct democracy. With more initiatives than nearly any other state, Oregon has tackled everything from salmon fishing rules and death penalty debates…
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Oregon Senate passes bill to extend unemployment benefits to striking public workers
The Oregon Senate passed legislation on March 21, 2025, that would make Oregon the first state to offer unemployment insurance (UI) compensation to strikers in both the public and private sectors. If SB 916 is passed by the House and signed by Governor Tina Kotek (D), workers like teachers and nurses would become eligible for…