Oregon Capitol Update Series: Patients under the Oregon Health Plan will now receive two hearing aids instead of one, thanks to Rep. Rick Lewis, R, Silverton, a former police chief. He asked the state to change the rules because people with one hearing aid can feel like sound is only coming from one direction. “When…
Capitol Update Series In August 2017, hordes of stargazers inundated Central Oregon to watch the total eclipse, but the experience left those living in the region less than happy. To better control such an event, the Oregon Legislature is considering House Bill 2790, which would let counties require permits for outdoor mass gatherings. Senator Cliff…
Capitol Update Series: State Senator Chuck Thomsen, Chuck Thomsen, a State Senator from Hood River, has been one of the Legislature’s best advocate for the needs of Oregon’s veterans. Recently, State Senator Chuck Thomsen wants to make sure that military veterans in Oregon are receiving the help they need, and to that end he has…
Capitol Update Series Featuring State Representative Mike Nearman. Information Tech watchdog is a title that Rep Mike Nearman wears proudly as he sits on the House Information Management and Technology Committee. Representative Mike Nearman wants to see the $39 million allocated from SB 1049 for software upgrades for PERS used wisely. A software boondoggle…
Capitol Update Series: Rep. Greg Barreto, R, Cove, authored and pass the only bill so far to receive a unanimous vote in the 80th Oregon legislature. HB 2444 will fund Oregon Future Farmers of America with $1.43 million, passing by a 60-0 vote. Agriculture is a top priority for Barreto as he wants to see…
Capitol Update Series: People are selling T-shirts, key chains, mugs, and other items bearing the state seal of Oregon, but the state isn’t making any money from those sales. However, that could change under a bill cosponsored by Sen. Bill Hansell, an Athena Republican, according to The Oregonian/Oregon Live. If approved, the state would license…
Capitol Update Series: Rep. Cedric Hayden, Roseburg Republican followed in his father’s footsteps both as dentist and legislator. Hayden is also a co-founder of Caring Hands Worldwide, a nonprofit organization that provides free dental care for people in need. In the street clinics Hayden runs in Eugene, he performs dental work for mainly veterans. Many…
Zero based budgeting concept has been hailed by many as a way to control government spending. Sen. Fred Girod of Scio representing Senate District 9 has a bill that will do just that. He along with Sen. Linthicum are spearheading the idea and have support from the democrats. The bill is still being written by…
Oregon Capitol Update Series: Sen. Kim Thatcher is optimistic that her bill on eliminating time changes twice a year will pass the Oregon Legislature during this 2019 session. SB 320 A, abolishes annual one-hour change in time from standard time to daylight saving time and places Oregon on a permanent daylight saving time. It has…
Most of the proposed paid family leave bills died midway through the Oregon Legislature, but one remains—and it’s likely to hurt small businesses. Many lawmakers have been making a promise to provide workers with paid family leave for births, adoptions, and other medically necessary time off, and introduced legislation to do so. Under current law,…