KGWPolitics

[Thomas Shults @ThomasShults_]

Salem approved a payroll tax that taxes Salem workers making more than minimum wage. Mayor Chris Hoy says the tax is critical to maintain and expand fire, police and homeless services. But residents say the tax hurts them at a time when cost of living is already high @KGWNews

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

Big day in Salem. Lawmakers passed:

HB 2002 - abortion and gender-affirming care protections

HB 2005 - ban on "ghost guns" / gun regulation

HB 2426 - self-service gas allowed at half of a station's pumps

$1 billion for I-5 bridge replacement also approved this week. #orleg

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

NEW: Oregon Senate Republicans have returned to the floor, ending a Republican-led walkout that stalled business in the senate for six weeks.

It was the longest walkout in Oregon legislative history. More to come @KGWNews
https://t.co/yQwdB0dxG3

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

Meanwhile, Portland is focusing its gun violence prevention work on outreach efforts like this one - using the ‘Cure Violence’ model around three NE/SE high schools.

City leaders are talking about the benefits of these strategies now. @KGWNews

https://t.co/I1Mui0Yw3o

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

Wheeler shared this update at a press conference on gun violence prevention efforts in Portland.

Lots of details here on $$ for outreach programs, targeted areas for enforcement, community safety team growth, etc.

But gunshot detection tech will NOT be a part of that @KGWNews

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

BREAKING: Portland Mayor @tedwheeler says he will *not* recommend gunshot detection technology in Portland right now.

Wheeler mentions strong community feedback, talks with @PortlandPolice Chief Lovell among the reasons for this decision. @KGWNews

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

A group of about 50 students protested the book removals in March - pointing out that the school district could've reviewed the book complaints first and *then* decided if any should be pulled from shelves.

List of books that were targeted here:
https://t.co/Hx5w8tJB3x.

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

Stefani Carlson, Dawn Depner and Lori Boatright - a trio that called for more parental control over education - lost to Kelly Oliver, Mark Bigej and Katie Iverson. Results: https://t.co/2MAcSlW3bH

Iverson wrote she'd bring a more moderate perspective: https://t.co/idGKIUamKz

[Evan Watson @EvanWatsonNews]

A slate of 3 conservative candidates for Canby School Board lost in last night's elections.

The Canby School District pulled 36 books from school libraries earlier this year.

Carlson ran on continuing to "remove inappropriate sexually explicit and obscene material." @KGWNews

[Tim Gordon @TimGordonPDX]

No breakthrough but Sen. Knopp says the call was with @GovTinaKotek he says they discussed common goals on her agenda. I asked if she told them they should get back to work and he say ‘well of course she did’.

[Tim Gordon @TimGordonPDX]

Just started interview with Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp when he had a call he had to take. Maybe he will come back out with word of a breakthrough in the Republican senate walkout.

[Tim Gordon @TimGordonPDX]

Now the question is, how long will R’s keep walking out. Voter approved measure 113 gives them only 10 absences without consequences.

[Tim Gordon @TimGordonPDX]

Dueling news conferences in Salem by legislative leadership. Republicans walked out of Senate today, all but two. No quorum to take on bills involving abortion and guns. R’s say D’s aren’t following the law in moving legislation, D’s says it’s more obstruction @KGWNews

[KGWPolitics @KGWPolitics]

BREAKING: Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan announces resignation, effective Monday, May 8, amid ethical concerns of marijuana consulting work.

[KGWPolitics @KGWPolitics]

HAPPENING NOW: Watch live as Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks about her first 100 days in office https://t.co/hEk7JAjgyK

[KGWPolitics @KGWPolitics]

BREAKING: Measure 114 remains blocked after the Oregon Supreme Court denied a motion filed by the state that would have allowed the state's new gun law to go into effect. Story to come.

[Blair Best @blairgbest]

HAPPENING NOW | Portland city council holds their first meeting of the year. Newly elected commissioner @reneforportland takes the former seat of Jo Ann Hardesty.

Commissioner @DanRyanPDX was just sworn in as council president for the next six months.

@KGWNews

[KGWPolitics @KGWPolitics]

BREAKING: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown will grant clemency to the state's death row inmates, commuting their sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The clemency order applies to 17 people currently on Oregon's death row. Read more: https://t.co/qDMz7O8xVt

[Blair Best @blairgbest]

They are now opening it up to audience Q&A.

[Blair Best @blairgbest]

.@tedwheeler is requesting a financial review of the county’s @multco_johs saying they have not been transparent with the city in providing financial data the city has requested.

“Right now it doesn’t feel like a partnership.” -@tedwheeler