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.
Senate Progressives, Activists Plan Big Public Option Push
WASHINGTON ? Progressive senators and liberal activist groups plan a renewed effort to achieve what they couldn’t when the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010: Create a “public option” health plan in Obamacare that consumers can choose instead of private insurance. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are
Columbia River tribes one step closer to federal government fulfilling housing promise
The U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday that would provide up to 50 new houses for Columbia River tribal members. Now it’s up to Congress to make it a reality. The bill calls for between 41 and 49 houses to be built near the Bonneville Dam for tribal members
Is it time for public option? Senate Dems lead new push today
Hillary Clinton releases a second letter from her doctor, while Donald Trump takes the stage with Dr. Oz. But first: the public option rises again. IS IT TIME FOR PUBLIC OPTION? SENATE DEMOCRATS LEAD NEW PUSH TODAY — Top legislators and prominent progressives are throwing their weight behind the public option
Bill to clean Columbia River added to water package
Congress is making headway on establishing a grant program for environmental cleanup projects in the Columbia River Basin. Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley reintroduced the Columbia River Restoration Act last year, along with fellow Oregon Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici and Peter DeFazio, all Democrats. The bill was
USDA food waste funding scarce a year after setting goal
Battle Creek wants to become a model for how an American city can completely eliminate food waste. If only it could get some federal money to start the process. Representatives for the southern Michigan town of 52,000 — home to cereal giant Kellogg — are awaiting the Agriculture Department’s response
Senators urge ‘immediate’ hearings on Wells Fargo sales practices
A group of U.S. senators called Monday for immediate hearings into revelations Wells Fargo employees opened fraudulent customer accounts, as the San Francisco bank faced other fallout over the matter. In addition Monday, credit-rating firm Moody’s Investors Service said the conduct by the bank’s employees were a “credit negative” for