Bend awarded $5 million federal grant to fuel affordable housing production
Bend Bulletin The city of Bend has received a $5 million grant intended to kickstart affordable housing supply, the federal government announced Wednesday. Awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the grant set the course for the city to identify and address policies that slow affordable housing
Wyden, Merkley announce $30.1 million in ‘Payments in Lieu of Taxes’ to Oregon counties; $6 million to C. Oregon
KTVZ WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Thursday that counties throughout Oregon will receive more than $30.1 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2024, including over $6 million for Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. Because local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT
Wyden, Merkley, colleagues call on Postal Service to prepare for November election
KTVZ WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden said Thursday he is leading Senate colleagues including fellow Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley in calling on Postmaster General DeJoy and the U.S. Postal Service to share their plans to accommodate high volumes of mail expected in the upcoming 2024 general election in Oregon and nationwide.
Wyden, Merkley, colleagues urge immediate action on wildland firefighter pay reform
The World U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues this week called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to advance permanent, comprehensive pay reform for wildland firefighters in Oregon and nationwide as temporary pay increases are set to end. “Firefighters deserve fair pay, support for their mental
Wyden, Merkley talk federal housing legislation, tax credits in Portland
Oregon Capitol ChronicalOregon’s two U.S. senators say the timing is right for approval of more federal funding and tax credits for housing for low- and middle-income families in Oregon and elsewhere. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, discussed their housing legislation at a press event Wednesday with housing
A landmark marijuana bill is headed to the Senate floor
CNNThe Senate Banking Committee approved a historic marijuana banking bill last week that breaks barriers between financial institutions and cannabis companies. The Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, which aims to resolve a longstanding financial deadlock that forced cannabis-related companies to operate using only cash, will now make
Oregon Tribes secure over $2.3 million in federal grants to aid survivors of domestic violence and assault
KVAL U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that three of the Tribes in Oregon ( Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation) have secured more than $2.3 million combined in federal grants to
Wyden introduces, Merkley co-sponsors bill to regulate use of AI to make critical decisions in housing, jobs, schools
KTVZSen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., with Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., introduced Thursday the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023, to create new protections for people affected by artificial intelligence (AI) systems that are already impacting decisions affecting housing, credit, education and other high-impact uses. The bill applies
Sen. Merkley visits new Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity homes, meets families
KTVZ Senator Jeff Merkley made an appearance in Central Oregon Saturday to visit new homes in a Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity project. Merkley took a tour of one of their developments in southeast Bend that he helped receive federal funding. At the site, the senator, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler and future homeowners got a tour