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Oregon Governor Tina Kotek Halts State Land Use for New Data Centers Amid Industry Scrutiny

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek Halts State Land Use for New Data Centers Amid Industry Scrutiny

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has announced a pause on the use of state-owned land for new data centers until July 1, 2027. This directive, shared via X with an AI-generated image, aims to prevent data centers from imposing undue costs on Oregon residents while the state conducts a comprehensive study of the industry's impacts. As part of this action, Governor Kotek also terminated a pending sale of 32 acres of state property intended for a proposed $5 billion data-center development. The Governor acknowledged that her executive authority does not extend to a broader statewide moratorium on data-center construction, but her action targets transactions involving public land controlled by the state. This move positions Oregon as part of a growing national trend where state and local governments are seeking to slow, restrict, or attach new conditions to data-center construction, driven by concerns over their environmental and economic footprint.
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Lam Research Prioritizes Capacity Amid 'Sold-Out' Chip Demand, Targets AI Service Gains

Lam Research Prioritizes Capacity Amid 'Sold-Out' Chip Demand, Targets AI Service Gains

Lam Research Prioritizes Capacity Amid 'Sold-Out' Chip Demand, Targets AI Service Gains
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Meggitt Seeks Production Worker 3 for Weekend Shift at McMinnville, Oregon Facility

Meggitt Seeks Production Worker 3 for Weekend Shift at McMinnville, Oregon Facility

Meggitt Seeks Production Worker 3 for Weekend Shift at McMinnville, Oregon Facility
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U.S. Representative Val Hoyle and Senator Jeff Merkley Host Town Hall on Government Corruption

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle and Senator Jeff Merkley Host Town Hall on Government Corruption

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley recently co-hosted a 'Stop the Corruption' town hall in Springfield, Oregon. The event focused on addressing various concerns related to government integrity and transparency. Attendees raised issues such as presidential immunity, the influence of money in politics, and election integrity. This town hall provided a platform for constituents to voice their concerns directly to their elected officials regarding perceived corruption within the government. The discussions highlighted a public desire for greater accountability and reform in political processes. The event underscores ongoing efforts by some lawmakers to engage with the public on critical governance issues and to address voter anxieties about the fairness and transparency of the political system.
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Hexagon Energy and Weyerhaeuser Partner to Develop 3 GW Geothermal Power in Pacific Northwest

Hexagon Energy and Weyerhaeuser Partner to Develop 3 GW Geothermal Power in Pacific Northwest

Hexagon Energy and Weyerhaeuser Partner to Develop 3 GW Geothermal Power in Pacific Northwest
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Hampton Lumber Seeks Residuals Manager in Salem, Oregon, to Optimize Sawmill Byproducts

Hampton Lumber Seeks Residuals Manager in Salem, Oregon, to Optimize Sawmill Byproducts

Hampton Lumber Seeks Residuals Manager in Salem, Oregon, to Optimize Sawmill Byproducts
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Hexagon Energy and Weyerhaeuser Co. Partner to Develop 3 GW Geothermal Power in Pacific Northwest

Hexagon Energy and Weyerhaeuser Co. Partner to Develop 3 GW Geothermal Power in Pacific Northwest

Hexagon Energy and Weyerhaeuser Co. Partner to Develop 3 GW Geothermal Power in Pacific Northwest
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Governor Kotek Announces Significant Progress in Addressing Oregon's Public Defense Crisis

Governor Kotek Announces Significant Progress in Addressing Oregon's Public Defense Crisis

Governor Tina Kotek has announced a substantial improvement in Oregon's public defense crisis, with the number of unrepresented defendants decreasing by 66% over the past year. This reduction means that as of August 31, 2026, 1,104 individuals are awaiting legal counsel, down from over 4,000 in April 2025. The progress follows the transfer of the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) to the executive branch, Governor Kotek's appointment of Ken Sanchagrin to lead the OPDC, and her directive to prioritize reducing the backlog of unrepresented defendants. Furthermore, two counties, Coos and Marion, which were previously identified as being in crisis, have successfully resolved their backlogs. Governor Kotek expressed gratitude to criminal defense attorneys across Oregon for their collaborative efforts in tackling this issue.
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Oregon Lawmaker Calls for Review of State Anti-Terror Center Amid Free Speech Concerns

Oregon Lawmaker Calls for Review of State Anti-Terror Center Amid Free Speech Concerns

Rep. Paul Evans, a Democratic lawmaker in Oregon with a background in public safety, is advocating for a legislative review of the Oregon Terrorism Information Threat Assessment Network Fusion Center (TITAN Fusion Center). This call for action comes amidst ongoing concerns that the center's operations may infringe upon free speech protections and civil liberties. The TITAN Fusion Center, established in 2007 as part of a post-9/11 national initiative, aims to facilitate communication between state, local, and federal law enforcement on terrorism and criminal investigations. However, civil liberties advocates and a recent lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Justice, which oversees the center, argue that its activities could lead to surveillance of individuals legally exercising their rights. Evans, who co-chairs a public safety legislative subcommittee, believes it is 'absolutely vital' for lawmakers to examine the center's cases to ensure it operates within its intended scope and does not become a surv...
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Oregon Lawmakers Propose 2028 Ballot Measure to Ban Corporate Campaign Contributions

Oregon Lawmakers Propose 2028 Ballot Measure to Ban Corporate Campaign Contributions

Supporters of campaign finance reform in Oregon are pushing for a 2028 constitutional amendment to prohibit corporations, unions, and other organizations from spending money to influence elections. This proposed measure, spearheaded by attorney Jason Kafoury, is similar to a Hawaii law passed earlier this year and a Montana ballot measure set for November. The initiative aims to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United v. FEC decision, which allowed corporations and labor unions to spend unlimited amounts on elections, citing free speech rights. The Oregon proposal operates on the premise that state governments have the authority to regulate corporate political spending within their borders. While it would not prevent businesses or unions from forming Political Action Committees (PACs) or their members from donating to candidates, it seeks to eliminate 'dark money' independent expenditures from powerful groups. This effort follows Oregon's 2024 campaign finance law, which introduced limits ...
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Oregon Advocates Propose 2028 Ballot Measure to Ban Corporate Campaign Contributions and Rework State Finance Law

Oregon Advocates Propose 2028 Ballot Measure to Ban Corporate Campaign Contributions and Rework State Finance Law

Supporters of campaign finance reform in Oregon are pushing for a 2028 constitutional amendment to prohibit corporations, unions, and other organizations from spending money to influence elections. This proposed measure is similar to a Hawaii law passed earlier this year and a Montana ballot measure set for November, both of which aim to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. FEC decision. The core premise is that state governments have the authority to ban political spending by corporations within their borders. The amendment would not prevent businesses or unions from forming political action committees or their members from donating to candidates, but it seeks to eliminate independent expenditures, often referred to as 'dark money.' Additionally, petitioners plan to introduce two more constitutional amendments: one to revise the state’s 2024 campaign finance law, which was a compromise among various stakeholders, and another to establish a 'Democracy Vouchers' system similar to Seat...
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Oregon Launches New Qualified Jobs Creation Tax Credit Program

Oregon Launches New Qualified Jobs Creation Tax Credit Program

Oregon Launches New Qualified Jobs Creation Tax Credit Program