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Oregon Lawmakers Introduce Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act to Return Federal Land to Tribe

Oregon Lawmakers Introduce Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act to Return Federal Land to Tribe

U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas and other Oregon House Democrats, including Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, have introduced the 'Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act.' This proposed legislation aims to transfer 18,626 acres of federal forest land, located in the Siuslaw National Forest on the Tillamook-Yamhill county line, to a trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The land, bordering parts of the Grand Ronde community, would be managed by the tribe while maintaining public and recreational access for activities such as hunting and fishing. The bill's proponents, including the lawmakers and Tribal leaders, emphasize that this transfer would support tribal self-determination, enhance forest stewardship, improve wildfire resilience, and boost local economic opportunities. The measure has garnered support from the tribe, some county governments, state forestry officials, and several conservation groups. Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy stated...

Representative Janelle Bynum Co-Sponsors Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act in Oregon

Representative Janelle Bynum Co-Sponsors Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act in Oregon

U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum (OR-05), alongside Senator Jeff Merkley, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and other members of the Oregon Congressional Delegation, has introduced the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act. This bicameral bill proposes transferring 18,626 acres of federal land from the U.S. Forest Service into trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The legislation aims to strengthen tribal sovereignty and ensure the land is managed for conservation, recreation, and sustainable harvest. Representative Bynum emphasized the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's proven record as responsible stewards of Oregon's natural resources. The bill specifies that public and recreational access to the area will be maintained by the Tribe. This initiative is supported by various entities, including Tillamook County, Yamhill County, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and several conservation groups.

U.S. Representatives Announce $9.1 Million Federal Funding for Oregon Housing and Water Infrastructure

U.S. Representatives Announce $9.1 Million Federal Funding for Oregon Housing and Water Infrastructure

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, alongside U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas, have announced $9.1 million in federal awards and loans designated for water infrastructure and affordable housing projects across Curry, Yamhill, and Union counties in Oregon. This funding, sourced from the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, aims to address critical needs within these rural communities. Specifically, the City of Brookings will receive a $1 million grant to replace a portion of its water distribution system, including asbestos concrete and cast iron pipes, and upgrade fire hydrants and water meters. Additionally, Cascade Peaks Apartments in Newberg will receive a $5.6 million loan for the renovation and maintenance of an affordable multifamily housing complex comprising 10 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom units. A further $2.5 million loan will go to Cascade Peaks Apartments in La Grande to renovate and maintain an affordable senior housing complex...

U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle Introduces Federal Bill to Combat Corporate Control in Healthcare

U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle Introduces Federal Bill to Combat Corporate Control in Healthcare

U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, alongside U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, all Democrats, introduced the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act. This federal legislation aims to prevent private equity funds and for-profit corporations from owning or controlling medical practices. The bill is modeled after a successful 2025 Oregon law that addressed similar issues. During a Capitol Hill press conference, Hoyle highlighted how the Oregon law effectively countered tactics used by corporations to control medical practices through management companies. She cited a case in Eugene where emergency physicians utilized Oregon's protections to prevent a private-equity-backed staffing firm from taking over the emergency room at PeaceHealth RiverBend, the region's sole Level II trauma center. The lawmakers emphasized that the goal is to ensure medical decisions are made by doctors, not investors, to safeguard patient care.

US senators seek more information on Trump's Saudi nuclear proposal, letter says

US senators seek more information on Trump's Saudi nuclear proposal, letter says

WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Democratic and Republican U.S. senators asked President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday to declassify and release all information about a proposed agreement with Saudi Arabia on civil nuclear energy, including two classified "side letters" reached with

AP exclusive: Change in human trafficking reporting alarms advocates for migrant children

AP exclusive: Change in human trafficking reporting alarms advocates for migrant children

The Trump administration has ordered caregivers for migrant children to stop reporting human trafficking concerns directly to the office created to help victims

AP exclusive: Change in human trafficking policy could make some minors easier to deport

AP exclusive: Change in human trafficking policy could make some minors easier to deport

The Trump administration has ordered caregivers for migrant children to stop reporting human trafficking concerns directly to the office created to help victims

Senators Padilla, Curtis, Merkley, and Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act

Senators Padilla, Curtis, Merkley, and Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act

U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) have announced the introduction of the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to address long-standing gaps in health and safety protections for federal wildland firefighters. Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03) is leading companion legislation in the House. The bill seeks to establish a Wildland Firefighter Health Task Force and an Advisory Panel to coordinate exposure reduction efforts, pilot new respiratory technologies, and develop a comprehensive Wildland Firefighter Health Strategy every three years. Additionally, it mandates OSHA to issue an interim final standard for wildland firefighter health protection within five years of a pilot report, and requires paid duty time for decontamination after smoke or PFAS exposure. The legislation also calls for cleaning contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE), designated decontamination areas, and showe...

Oregon Governor's Data Center Advisory Committee Raises Questions on Industry's Impact, Lacks Concrete Answers

Oregon Governor's Data Center Advisory Committee Raises Questions on Industry's Impact, Lacks Concrete Answers

After nine months and seven fact-finding meetings, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s Data Center Advisory Committee has released a 20-page report of 'preliminary learnings and questions' for public comment. The report, a departure from the initially tasked cost-benefit analysis, highlights more considerations than conclusions regarding the data center industry's impact on the state. The committee found a considerable lack of information due to widespread use of non-disclosure agreements and corporate secrecy. Key concerns identified include the data centers' growing demands for energy, water, and land, and the significant tax breaks they receive. The committee noted that 9,000 acres are proposed for data center development, with eight of 31 new facilities being hyperscale data centers for large-scale data storage and AI processing.

Oregon Lawmakers Secure Nearly $8 Million in Federal Funding for Portland-Area Airports

Oregon Lawmakers Secure Nearly $8 Million in Federal Funding for Portland-Area Airports

Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03), announced that the Port of Portland has been awarded $7,657,874 in federal funding. This significant investment, sourced from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is designated for infrastructure enhancements at Hillsboro Airport and Portland International Airport (PDX). Specifically, Hillsboro Airport will receive $7,057,474 to reconstruct 550 feet of Runway 13R/31L and 1,500 feet of Taxiway A, A8, A9, and B, all of which have reached the end of their operational lifespan. Portland International Airport (PDX) will receive $600,400 to support the construction of a portable groundwater PFAS treatment system. This system is part of an FAA environmental mitigation pilot program aimed at improving on-airport water quality. The Oregon delegation emphasized the importance of these investments for maintaining safe and efficient airport...

Representative Cliff Bentz Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Biocombustibles Market and Prevent Wildfires

Representative Cliff Bentz Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Biocombustibles Market and Prevent Wildfires

A bipartisan coalition, including Representative Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), and Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), has introduced the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion bill. This legislation aims to modify the legal definition of renewable biomass within the Renewable Fuel Standard to include low-value wood and biomass waste. The proposed change would allow materials such as brush, sawdust, bark, logging residues, and forest debris to be used in biocombustible production. Representative Bentz highlighted that Oregon's forests accumulate hundreds of thousands of tons of such waste daily, increasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. He emphasized the potential of new technologies to transform these residues into marketable goods, thereby addressing both economic and environmental concerns. The Southern Group of State Foresters has expressed support for this bill, recognizing its potential to reduce biomass accumulation a...

Senators Merkley, Williams, and Booker Reintroduce Bill to Close 13th Amendment Slavery Loophole

Senators Merkley, Williams, and Booker Reintroduce Bill to Close 13th Amendment Slavery Loophole

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, U.S. Representative Nikema Williams of Georgia, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey have reintroduced the End the Exception Amendment. This bicameral resolution aims to strike the 'Slavery Clause' from the 13th Amendment, which currently permits slavery "as a punishment for crime" in the United States. The lawmakers argue that this loophole has allowed for forced labor, disproportionately affecting Black Americans, since the 13th Amendment's ratification in 1865. They cite historical examples, such as the 'Black Codes' and the use of imprisoned Black individuals for forced labor on plantations, which generated significant state revenue in some Southern states. The resolution seeks to fully abolish slavery in all forms, aligning the Constitution with principles of equality and justice.