Category: In the News

Merkley takes lead on ‘made in U.S.’ construction bill

Sen. Jeff Merkley has proposed a measure that would require transportation contractors to use U.S. products whenever possible. Merkley joined follow Democrat Tammy Baldwin Wednesday in introducing the Invest in American Jobs Act. The bill would require those working on federally funded transportation projects to use American steel, iron and

Senate joins House in approving county timber payments bill

The U.S. Senate passed a bill Tuesday that includes an extension of payments to Oregon timber counties that have seen a dramatic decrease in logging on federal lands because of environmental concerns. The county payments legislation was included in an unrelated measure that adjusted and made permanent the formula for

Education, immigration highlight Merkley town hall

For the seventh time since taking office in 2009, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley visited Prineville to answer questions and take input from local constituents. The event, held on Wednesday afternoon at Meadow Lakes Restaurant, drew a crowd of about 60 local citizens and government leaders. Merkley kicked off the forum

Senators join in Oregon Caves dedication

OREGON CAVES — The dignitaries who spoke at Friday’s celebration of the expansion of Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve painted a colorful portrait of “The Marble Halls of Oregon.”U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, who began working on the expansion nearly 20 years ago, seemed relieved. About 50 people were in

In Bend, Merkley calls Pell cuts ‘diabolical’

Families abroad can expect to pay about 5 percent of their income toward the cost of college. But in this country, that number can be 50 percent, said U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon. “This is a financial gauntlet and it’s very, very different from that of … most other developed

Merkley in Bend, blasts GOP-backed Pell grant cuts

BEND, Ore. – Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., visited OSU-Cascades in Bend Thursday to talk about impending “drastic cuts” to Pell grants for students as he wrapped up a statewide campaign targeting a Republican-passed budget that he says will hurt many. Merkley spoke of “the very real impacts that the recently

Tilikum bridge gets added improvements, stays under budget

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley walked across the new Tilikum Crossing Bridge Monday, heralding the massive TriMet project, which is set to finish under budget, even with added improvements. The 7.3-mile light rail project will end up costing as much as $40 million less than initially predicted. The federal government

Consumer Protection Agency Proposes Rules on Payday Loans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the fledgling agency created in the aftermath of the financial crisis, outlined on Thursday the first draft of regulations to rein in payday loans, the short-term form of credit that can come with interest rates soaring beyond 400 percent. The proposed rules could sharply reduce the

Civil Rights Bill Top Priority For LGBT Voters, According To New Poll

WASHINGTON — With the Supreme Court set to rule in the coming months on marriage equality, the gay rights community already is gearing up for its next big fight: the push for a comprehensive federal nondiscrimination bill. The Human Rights Campaign is out with a new poll Tuesday that shows

State and federal lawmakers targeting e-cigarette regulations

Prineville and Crook County officials passed ordinances this past year that defined how e-cigarettes would be regulated in the community. Because no federal or state laws governed the sale of the nicotine-based items to minors, local leaders felt it best to restrict them locally in hopes of keeping them out

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