Free Republic

In a disturbing move that reeks of tyranny, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a Democrat bill into law that permits the Oregon government to steal guns without notice. The law, based off of Oregon Senate Bill 719, has faced massive resistance from Republicans and Oregon citizens alike. Despite this, the local governments managed to sign it into law—Oregon is no longer a free state. 12 SHARES SHARE THIS STORY In a disturbing move that reeks of tyranny, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a Democrat bill into law that permits the Oregon government to steal guns without notice. The law, based...

As the state contemplates an income tax hike, Oregon's elites line their pockets with taxpayer money. In 2016, as politicians across America were fleeing voter wrath, Oregon’s governor and attorney general were blazing an unlikely trail – accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from businesses with state contracts. Since 1940, at the federal level, individuals and entities negotiating or working under federal contracts are prohibited from giving political cash to candidates, parties or committees. In Oregon, however, this political patronage is perfectly legal, at least for now. Our analysis at American Transparency (OpenTheBooks.com) found 207 state contractors...

As the state contemplates an income tax hike, Oregon's elites line their pockets with taxpayer money. In 2016, as politicians across America were fleeing voter wrath, Oregon’s governor and attorney general were blazing an unlikely trail – accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from businesses with state contracts. Since 1940, at the federal level, individuals and entities negotiating or working under federal contracts are prohibited from giving political cash to candidates, parties or committees. In Oregon, however, this political patronage is perfectly legal, at least for now. Our analysis at American Transparency (OpenTheBooks.com) found 207 state contractors...

When Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a minimum wage bill into law in March, it was the highest statewide wage floor in the U.S. It was also the most convoluted, setting three different wages and raise schedules depending on the area's population. ‎ Wages will rise to $12.50 in rural Oregon, $13.50 in mid-size regions and $14.75 in greater Portland, all by the year 2022. But before the ink was even dry, Democrats, who control the state House, Senate and governor's office, announced they wanted to change the bill that was rammed through in a five-week legislative session despite fierce...

A bill dissolving Cover Oregon, the state's dysfunctional health insurance exchange, has been signed by Gov. Kate Brown. The measure, which had bipartisan support, transfers responsibilities for the Oregon exchange to the state Department of Consumer and Business Services. The decision was announced in a nine-word tweet from Brown's account, which said simply: "This afternoon I signed Senate Bill 1 into law." She signed the legislation Friday. Cover Oregon was plagued by problems almost from its onset. No Oregonian was ever able to enroll online in a private plan under the Affordable Care Act because the state exchange never had...

The former president squeezed in the appearance before heading across the Columbia River for a speech at Clark College, where he touched on themes of job and small business growth, clean energy and college debt . . She ran upstairs to snag the copy just in time to get the man himself to dedicate it: "To Sydney - Good luck in your life - Bill Clinton 3/21/16." "I know his wife is running for president," the girl said. "She seems to be one of the main candidates." . . In front of television cameras, he spoke about his fondness for...

State utility regulators have expressed deep reservations to Gov. Kate Brown about a proposed bill that would fundamentally restructure Oregon's energy supply by 2040, eliminating coal-fired power and forcing utilities to serve half their customers' demand with renewable power. Commissioners and staff at the Oregon Public Utility Commission believe the bill would increase electricity costs and shift risk from utilities to ratepayers. They also say it wouldn't actually reduce carbon dioxide emissions, according to communications released to The Oregonian/OregonLive in response to a public records request. The commissioners prepared those talking points to respond to the media and legislator calls...

State Treasurer Ted Wheeler asked Gov. Kate Brown Thursday to suspend the Energy Department's troubled Small-Scale Energy Loan Program.

Oregon became the third state in the United States to ban gay conversion therapy, a practice that has attracted much debate. Democratic Gov. Kate Brown signed the bill into law earlier this week, though an ex-gay group has protested and called the bill "child abuse." CNN reported on Wednesday that the bill signed by Brown, the first openly bisexual governor in the U.S., will block therapist from offering conversion or reparative therapy on individuals who are younger than 18. Laws against the practice have also been made in California, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. While the American Psychological Association has...

PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) - Sweeping first-in-the nation legislation making voter registration automatic in Oregon was signed into law on Monday by Governor Kate Brown, potentially adding 300,000 new voters to state rolls. The so-called Motor Voter legislation will use state Department of Motor Vehicles data to automatically register eligible voters whose information is contained in the DMV system, with a 21-day opt-out period for those who wish to be taken off the registry. Supporters say the legislation's goal is to keep young voters, students and working families who move often from losing their right to vote. Republican lawmakers, who unanimously...

As Oregon’s Democrat governor, John Kitzhaber, resigns in disgrace amidst a slew of scandals involving ethics and financial improprieties, the likely successor will be Oregon’s Secretary of State, Kate Brown. Kitzhaber has resigned and his resignation takes effect on the 18th of February. Brown, a Democrat, is the likely successor as Oregon holds no Lieutenant Governor position and the responsibility falls upon Brown. Brown is married to Dan Little, but has been open about her bisexuality and she will be the first openly-bisexual governor in U.S. history. Oregon remains a state divided; while the Beaver State is known for hipsters...