Supreme Court ruling on Homeless Camping Restrictions finds Oregon on the Outside Looking in
Sleepless in Seattle? Or, how about Los Angeles, Sacramento or Boise? Issues surrounding if, where and when homeless individuals are allowed to camp on public property has resurfaced now that the United States Supreme Court has overturned a landmark 9th Circuit ruling that had declared camping ordinances like the ones in Boise, Idaho, and Grants Pass, Ore
End of Free Parking in Downtown Salem Gathers Momentum
Free downtown parking in Salem may be nearing an end as the city is planning a change to the area with a new plan from city officials.
Downtown businesses currently foot the bill for parking in downtown as this money goes towards maintenance and upkeep for the spaces.
“What we have in common is that we have a regular healthy turnover of those parking…
Matthews beats out Soltz for Final Salem City Council Spot
The race to win the Ward 3 Salem City Council position has finally been announced after nearly a month of waiting.
Shane Matthews beat out Nathan Soltz by 42 votes in the tightest race in this year’s election cycle.
Matthews, a real estate agent, ran for office for the first time and accumulated 2,153 votes. Soltz, a law student at Lewis & …
From the Desk of Representative Ed Diehl – End of Session Recap
Jamie and I ended our first short session – what a whirlwind! For a five-week session that is intended to make budget adjustments and minor legislative ‘fixes’, we had much, much more on our plate.
It is an honor to serve House District 17. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with questions or concerns.
And as always, Iââ¦
Decision 2024: Salem’s Economic future at the Forefront of City Elections
As Salem gears up for its city council and mayoral elections on May 21st, the business community will see significant distinctions between the candidates on key economic issues. The spotlight has particularly fallen on the contentious payroll tax proposal of 2023, which has become a dividing line for how the candidates each approach taxes and their overall philosophy of governance.
Last summer, by a vote of 5 to 4, the Mayor and City Council approved a payroll tax on Salem workers. The proponents of the tax argued that the city needed more revenue to cover increased city spending. The tax would have cost the average worker $500 per year. Knowing it would likely be defeated at the ballot box, the Mayor and Council defeated an effort by …
Salem Business & Political Roundtable: Rethinking State Housing Strategies with a Focus on Human Dignity
The recent legislative endeavors to address Oregon's housing crisis are marked by an influx of financial investment and nods to cultural initiatives but lack meaningful substance. Many of these proposals overlook innovative approaches to housing affordability and miss crucial opportunities for investments in construction workforce training - a pivotal fac
Salinas Talks Immigration, Farm Bill, and More at Salem Forum
In a closely divided Congress with razor-thin majorities in both chambers, U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) emphasized the need for bipartisanship to deliver results on the country’s most pressing issues - including immigration, border security, and passing a new Farm Bill that provides a greater safety net for agricultural producers reeling from nat
Enhancing Transparency and Consumer Protection in Real Estate: Analyzing House Bill 4058
In a significant move towards transparency and consumer protection in the real estate sector, the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness voted in favor (4-0, 1 Excused) of House Bill 4058 on Thursday, February 22nd. This bill, which originated from the REALTORS® association, aims to address key concerns within the industry, merging elements from the
Capital for a Capitol Host City Gains Momentum
The economic and social impacts of having a state capitol located in your city has long been a discussion topic of elected officials and local municipalities. Faced with a significant budget shortfall in the years ahead, the City of Salem is exploring all options to fill a funding gap estimated to be at least $14 million in the next fiscal year, and escal