(The Center Square) – Oregon will get $30.1 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding from the federal government this year. Since local governments cannot tax federal lands, the federal government provides them with PILT payments to help cover costs associated with maintaining federal land. “Public lands are a treasure in rural Oregon, but they must not prevent communities from having …
Today, the United States Supreme Court announced a 6-3 decision in favor of the City of Grants Pass in the City of Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson. Thus ends a six-year court battle which began in 2018 when this class action lawsuit was filed against the City of Grants Pass for enforcing anti-camping ordinances in its city parks. Justice Gorsuch …
After more than a year on the market, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners accepted an all-cash offer of $9.5 million for The Flying Lark facility and property from River Valley Community Church. The developer of The Flying Lark, Travis Boersma, gifted the facility to the county in February 2023 after failing to secure a required Historical Horseracing Machine license …
When Christine Goodwin was appointed to complete the term of the late state Rep. Gary Leif, who died in July of 2021, she had no intention of running for a full term. The News-Review reported, “[Goodwin] said she doesn’t want to run for the office in 2022 because moving to Salem is not something she and her husband want to …
17-116 – Replacement of Josephine County Charter Measure 17-116 would replace the existing Josephine County Charter with an entirely new charter. The charter language covers five full pages in the voters’ pamphlet. It would be more pages, but the proposed charter removes Josephine County’s “Bill of Rights,” which include parental rights, protection of speech and religion, due process under asset …
By Brian Bouteller It’s kind of strange to have spoken with so much of the national media and then watch what has been reported so far, as they repeat a clear, seemingly unified and demonstrably biased framing. The reporting suggests that the City of Grants Pass is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow us to punish homeless people in …
Update (3/16/24 1:12PM): The Eagle asked John West why he filed the lawsuit. Here is his reply: “As a commissioner, I represent all of Josephine County citizens. We depend upon honest leaders to represent us in Salem. It was my obligation and duty as a private citizen to do this for our district. There could be serious consequences if the …
In May Josephine County voters will decide whether to keep the existing county charter or replace it with a new county charter by approving Measure 17-116. Among other changes, the proposed charter would increase the number of commissioners from three to five and reduce commissioner compensation to $24,000 per year. “Section 7. COMPENSATION AND COMMISSION EXPENSES. County Commissioners shall serve …
By William Kronert Measure 17-116, a ballot measure to change the Josephine County charter, is a perfect example of liberal ideas. Here are five reasons to vote “No on 17-116” next May. First, Measure 17-116 removes a provision that is in our current charter. It removes a prohibition of income tax. Advocates argue that it will require voter approval and …
4-H originally started in Oregon in 1916. It was a program that began for the purpose of educating boys and girls how to better grow crops and livestock. Here in Oregon, the 4-H programs recently have changed. Local leaders had been feeling some of these changes for the past five years but had found a way to still educate kids …