Lobbying for their future, and $2.2 million

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Lobbying for their future, and $2.2 million

When senior Madison Mefford learned that Gilchrist Junior-Senior High School was at risk of losing small school funding and classes and programs that funding provides, she jumped at the chance to do something about it.

Mefford was among 10 students from Gilchrist, Lost River, Chiloquin and Bonanza high schools who, as members of Klamath County School District’s Legislative Team, traveled to the Capitol in Salem Monday to testify before the House Committee on Education. They urged lawmakers to support a bill that would guarantee their schools continue to receive $2.2 million in small school funding.

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School Board Lobbies for Funding

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School Board Lobbies for Funding

Steve Lowell is no stranger to lobbying the state Legislature. He’s been doing it for the last 12 years as a member of the Klamath County School Board, asking lawmakers to stabilize funding and increase the state’s investment in K-12 education.

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Oregon Bi-Partisan Leaders Push for Changes to Essential Air Service

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Oregon Bi-Partisan Leaders Push for Changes to Essential Air Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR 2), are pushing the Comptroller General of the United States to consider the negative impact of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 on Klamath Falls and other rural airports in an upcoming study on reforms to the Essential Air Service program.

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Merkley to Hold Town Hall in Klamath Falls and Paisley on Feb. 23

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Merkley to Hold Town Hall in Klamath Falls and Paisley on Feb. 23

Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) will hold town halls in Klamath, Lake, Wheeler and Gilliam counties on Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24.

Merkley will update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C., and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America.

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Public Works to Move Snow Overnight and Geo Crews to Repair Leak

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Public Works to Move Snow Overnight and Geo Crews to Repair Leak

Snow Removal Crews will be pulling snow from the curbs and gutters and placing it in the center of the roadways. This work will start at 2 a.m. on 2/14/19. Downtown diagonal parking will become parallel parking until snow is removed from the center of the roadways.

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Wyden, Merkley Welcome Senate Passage of Public Lands Legislation [VIDEO]

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Wyden, Merkley Welcome Senate Passage of Public Lands Legislation [VIDEO]

Washington, D.C. – Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today welcomed Senate passage of a bipartisan package of public lands legislation securing critical measures they achieved for Oregon, including improved flexibility for hazardous fuels reduction efforts and protections for wilderness and wild and scenic rivers in the state.

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Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction Announces Public Hearing Dates

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Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction Announces Public Hearing Dates

The Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction announced on Tuesday the upcoming dates for public hearings about Oregon House Bill 2020.

The joint committee will host four public hearings where Oregonians will be able to voice their opinions and ask questions about the bill. Additionally, there will be a public hearing on February 25 where the Salem-based committee will accept live, remote testimony from around the state.

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SOS: Investigation Update on 97 Ballots Turned in Late

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SOS: Investigation Update on 97 Ballots Turned in Late

SALEM, OR — In November 2018, the Secretary of State’s Elections Division received a complaint from the Multnomah County Elections office that two individuals turned in 97 ballots late, which prevented the electors’ votes from being counted. The Elections Division opened an investigation into this complaint.

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Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues to Introduce ANTIQUITIES Act to Protect America’s National Monuments from Unlawful Attacks

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Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues to Introduce ANTIQUITIES Act to Protect America’s National Monuments from Unlawful Attacks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined more than 100 Democratic Members of Congress to introduce legislation protecting America’s treasured national monuments against the Trump administration’s relentless attacks on public lands. The America’s Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States (ANTIQUITIES) Act of 2019 reinforces Congress’ clear intent in the Antiquities Act of 1906: Only Congress has the authority to modify a national monument designation. 

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Legislation Would Set Stage for Universal Health Care

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Legislation Would Set Stage for Universal Health Care

Late this morning [2/7/19], a group of State Senators filed Senate Bill 770 – the Health Care for All Oregon Bill – which would create a board and set up other components necessary to establish the Health Care for Oregon Plan to provide universal coverage throughout the state. So far, 37 legislators have signed on as sponsors.

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Merkley, Wyden Announce Millions for Oregon to Fight Homelessness

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Merkley, Wyden Announce Millions for Oregon to Fight Homelessness

Nearly $3 million will help organizations statewide provide supportive services to help people out of homelessness
[No monies allocated for Klamath or Lake Counties]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced nearly $3 million in Continuum of Care grants across the state, providing resources to help house and provide supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

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Following Up on SOS Recommendations Made to DHS Aging and People with Disabilities Program

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Following Up on SOS Recommendations Made to DHS Aging and People with Disabilities Program

SALEM, OR — Today, Secretary of State Dennis Richardson released a report showing the Department of Human Services (DHS), Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) program has made progress implementing the recommendations made in Audit Report 2017-23, “Consumer-Employer Provider Program Needs Immediate Action to Ensure Home Care Consumers Receive Required Care and Services.”

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Commissioners to Appoint Three to Fair Board

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Commissioners to Appoint Three to Fair Board

Klamath Falls, Ore. - At the next Klamath County Board of Commissioners Business Meeting on Tuesday, February 5, the Commissioners are expected to fill three vacancies on the Klamath County Fair Board by appointing Terry Sellars, Brian Gailey and Victoria Haley.

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Gov. Brown Signs Executive Order Creating the Oregon Wildfire Response Council

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Gov. Brown Signs Executive Order Creating the Oregon Wildfire Response Council

Medford, Ore. — Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order establishing the Oregon Wildfire Response Council and named Matt Donegan as Chair. The charge of the council is to evaluate Oregon's current system of response to large fires, and determine whether or not the current model is the best possible way to defend Oregon from the threat of wildfires. The council will issue a report in September 2019 to make recommendations for the future of Oregon's wildfire response infrastructure. 

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Audit of Oregon’s Framework for Regulating Marijuana

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Audit of Oregon’s Framework for Regulating Marijuana

Salem, Ore. — Today, Secretary of State Dennis Richardson released an audit examining how Oregon regulates marijuana, a responsibility shared by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). Auditors found gaps in the state’s developing regulatory framework that increase the risk of legal marijuana being diverted to the black market and out-of-state. Auditors also found the state must do more to protect public health and improve laboratory testing by considering more robust testing requirements, enhancing oversight, and ensuring labs meet accreditation standards.

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House Republicans Want to See a Copy of the Carbon Reduction Bill

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House Republicans Want to See a Copy of the Carbon Reduction Bill

SALEM, Ore. – The majority party has kept a carbon reduction bill with far-reaching consequences for every Oregonian out of sight from Republicans and the public. The bill will get its first reading Thursday with the Joint Legislative Carbon Reduction Committee beginning deliberations Friday. Yet a copy of the bill hasn’t been made available to anyone but Democrats, who are poised to ram it through the process without careful consideration of its impact on Oregon’s families, who will bear the brunt of the bill, or employees whose jobs may be endangered.

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Crater Lake NP to Re-Open Monday

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Crater Lake NP to Re-Open Monday

Crater Lake, Ore. – With the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Crater Lake National Park will resume regular operations on Monday, January 28, 2019. After 35 days of closure, time is needed to clear roadways, repair leaks, open restrooms and other facilities, check fire alarm systems, and ensure that the park is safe for visitors.

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