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.
Merkley backs Iran nuclear deal
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley on Sunday announced his support for the Iran nuclear deal, becoming the 31st Democratic senator to back President Barack Obama on the issue. Just two Senate Democrats have come out against the deal — New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez. Just
Merkley calls for more wildfire assistance
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley visits Long Creek. LONG CREEK — Just a day before the Canyon Creek Complex fire forced residents to evacuate from their homes, Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley told those attending a town hall meeting in Long Creek that more assistance is needed to fight wildfires in the
Oregon lawmakers push for laws allowing pot businesses to use banks
PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) – A group of Oregon lawmakers is pushing for a set of legislative changes that would allow legal marijuana businesses in the state to use banks to handle their money. The sale of recreational marijuana, which begins in October in Oregon and is already legal in neighboring Washington, is a
Merkley bill aims to better link transit, jobs
PORTLAND, Ore. — Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced Monday at the Hollywood Transit Center in Portland that he has introduced the Transportation, Access and Opportunity Act, to encourage and support local governments to better connect their transportation systems to jobs and economic opportunities in the region. Increasingly, he noted, low-income
Merkley pushes to improve transportation
PORTLAND, Ore. — If you ride public transportation, your trip might involve a lot of stops just to get to one location. One of Oregon’s top democrats wants to make it easier for you. Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Transportation, Access and Opportunities Act. His goal is to fund 10
Senator to students: Pay back what you can afford
With the rising cost of higher education and crushing student loan debt in the headlines, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley wants to make permanent a program that ties student loan payments to just 10 percent of their discretionary income. After 20 years, any remaining debt would be forgiven. Merkley (D-Oregon) introduced