Category: In the News

Breaking ground on irrigation piping in Central Oregon

The Madras Pioneer Stakeholders from all over Central Oregon gathered Friday afternoon, Oct. 20, against the backdrop of Smith Rock to celebrate launching three new piping projects in the Deschutes Basin. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) was the keynote speaker, praised by others as instrumental in getting almost $200 million

Merkley joins 3 C.O. irrigation districts, nonprofits to break ground on $120 million in canal piping projects

KTVZ Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., joined leaders from three Deschutes River Basin irrigation districts and nonprofits Farmers Conservation Alliance and Energy Trust of Oregon to break ground Friday on a series of projects to modernize critical irrigation infrastructure serving 2,500 farmers and producers and 85,000 acres of land across Central Oregon. When complete, officials

Senator Merkley on USPS facility, fossil fuels and medical debt

KDRV  Senator Jeff Merkley spoke to NewsWatch 12 today about his plans to keep the Medford USPS facility a distribution center, his concern for fracked Canadian gas pipeline and the medical debt of Americans. After months of concern for the status of the Medford USPS facility and its employees, Congress

Oregon delegation approves fishery disaster assistance

KATUOregon senators and representatives announced October 13 that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined a fishery disaster for in-state salmon fisheries. This decision allows local fishermen eligible to apply for long overdue disaster assistance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). There is currently fishery disaster assistance through

Oregon senators Wyden and Merkley tout bills they argue will help families afford housing

KGW Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have outlined their priorities to provide affordable housing solutions around the Portland metro area.  They gathered for a press conference on Wednesday at Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, or PCRI. The nonprofit owns more than 700 units of affordable housing in north and Northeast Portland.  Sen.

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

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