Local Politics

Politics Oregon Senate takes up teen indoor tanning ban

By Emily Sinovic, KATU News Published: Mar 19, 2013 at 4:23 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 19, 2013 at 4:23 PM PDT

Oregon lawmakers are considering banning children younger than 18 from using tanning beds.

Politics Bill lets Ore. school districts leave regional ESD

By The Associated Press Published: Mar 19, 2013 at 7:50 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 19, 2013 at 7:50 AM PDT

The Oregon Legislature has voted to allow all school districts to withdraw from regional educational service districts.

Politics Ore. state senator calls smoking with kids bill 'nonsense'

By Dee Dee Gatton KPIC News Published: Mar 18, 2013 at 4:35 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 18, 2013 at 4:35 PM PDT

The state senate has proposed a measure that would make it a traffic violation to smoke in a car with a minor. One Oregon lawmaker from Roseburg thinks the bill is nonsense.

Politics Oregon bill would phase out chemicals toxic to children

By Jeff Barnard, AP Environmental Writer Published: Mar 17, 2013 at 6:57 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 18, 2013 at 10:27 AM PDT

A bill before the Legislature would set up a state database to track the use of 19 chemicals in manufactured products shown to be harmful to children, and work with manufacturers to phase out use of the chemicals over five years

Politics Do death row inmates have a right to die? (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By JONATHAN J. COOPER, Associated Press Published: Mar 14, 2013 at 3:09 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 3:22 PM PDT

The lawyer for a man convicted of two murders argued that Gov. John Kitzhaber lacks authority to delay Gary Haugen's execution without the inmate's consent.

Politics Oregon corporations could get automatic tax rebate

By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Published: Mar 14, 2013 at 8:19 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 14, 2013 at 8:19 AM PDT

As Oregon lawmakers talk about raising more tax revenue from individuals, there's a chance corporations may get millions in automatic tax rebates.

Politics Oregon Senate votes to ban smoking in car with kids

By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Published: Mar 13, 2013 at 1:16 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 13, 2013 at 4:25 PM PDT

The Oregon Senate has voted to make it illegal for adults to smoke in a car with children.

Politics Voters shoot down Bandon lighting ordinance

By KCBY News Published: Mar 13, 2013 at 10:24 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 13, 2013 at 10:24 AM PDT

Bandon voters have rejected a dark skies exterior lighting ordinance, that would have placed new regulations on outdoor lights within city limits.

Politics Bandon light ordinance ballots due today (Video)

By Ricky Maranon KCBY News Published: Mar 12, 2013 at 8:19 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 12, 2013 at 8:19 AM PDT

Bandon residents have until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, to cast their vote on the city's controversial exterior lighting ordinance.

Politics Oregon treasurer pitches plan to pay for college

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: Mar 11, 2013 at 8:38 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler has a plan to make higher education more affordable, proposing the state take on debt so students don't have to.

Politics Lawmaker calls for stiffer penalties for timber protests (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By JEFF BARNARD, AP Environmental Writer Published: Mar 8, 2013 at 3:58 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 8, 2013 at 5:03 PM PDT

A tree farmer serving in the Legislature wants to make it a felony for people to chain themselves to equipment and block roads to stop logging on state forests.

Politics Bill expands teens' access to professional help without parents' OK (Video)

By Patrick Preston KATU Political Reporter and KATU.com Staff Published: Mar 7, 2013 at 10:43 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

Teenagers who are in trouble and don't want to ask their parents for help with addictions and mental health issues can turn to certain professionals without their parents' consent, but the list does not include counselors and therapists.

Politics North Bend on list to lose air traffic control (Video)

By Ricky Maranon KCBY News Published: Mar 7, 2013 at 12:09 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 7, 2013 at 1:06 PM PDT

The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will close the control tower at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport.

Politics Should Oregon require $10 registration fee for bicycles? (Video)

By Jessica Porter KVAL News with KVAL.com staff Published: Mar 6, 2013 at 8:41 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 6, 2013 at 12:16 PM PDT

An Oregon lawmaker proposed a bill that would require bicyclists pay a $10 registration fee.

Politics Oregon insurance exchange tackles language barrier

By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Published: Mar 5, 2013 at 8:59 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 5, 2013 at 8:59 AM PDT

Oregon's health insurance exchange will have staff who speak Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese to help explain and market the service that's expected to provide health coverage to thousands of Oregonians.