Second suit seeks overturn of Cascade-Siskiyou expansion, another Malheur trial starts today and OSU-Cascades receives anonymous $5 million donation.
Timber companies also file suit against Cascade-Siskiyou monument expansion
Last week, the Association of O&C Counties filed suit against the national monument designation. The AOCC is now joined by two lumber companies, which filed suit Friday against President Trump, acting U.S. Secretary of the Interior Kevin Haugard, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management, the Mail Tribune reports. The companies claim more than 80% of the land included in the expansion was dedicated for timber production, which is protected by the O&C Lands Act.
Second Malheur trial begins today
Four more occupiers from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge face trial today, OPB reports. Prosecutors added misdemeanor charges to the conspiracy charges after a disappointing “not guilty” verdict was returned in the first trial. Harney County residents are hopeful defendants will receive a guilty verdict for the 40-day seizure of the wildlife refuge.
OSU gets anonymous $5 million to expand Bend campus
The anonymous donation, when coupled with a $1 million donation from the Tykeson Family Foundation, puts Oregon State more than halfway toward its $10 million philanthropic funding goal, the Corvallis Gazette-Times reports. OSU needs $10 million in funding to serve as a match for state funding sought by the university.
“Cover All Children” considered by state legislature
Governor Kate Brown wants to expand the Oregon Health Plan to include 17,000 children currently excluded because of their residency status, the Statesman Journal reports. Brown spoke Monday in favor of a HB2726 at the House Committee on Healthcare. Her proposed budget earmarks $55 million for OHP to cover undocumented kids in the state.
PSU study finds public employers may see dramatic cuts thanks to rising PERS costs
The study from PSU’s Center for Public Service found increasing compensation costs could force employers to reduce workforces by 10%, the Oregonian reports. Employer contributions are expected to nearly double in the next five years. By 2022, public employers could spent more than $4,000 on retirement costs for every $10,000 spent on salaries.
Twitter Roundup: PERS City Club forums
Oregon faces a $22 billion deficit in the public employee retirement system, and there is no specific remedy in sight.
Portland Development Commission announces $300,000 in funding for “communities of color”
The funding is part of the Community Livability Grant program, which awarded $1.2 million to 18 projects in Dec. 2015. This second round of funding is intended for projects in the Interstate Corridor urban renewal area, the Portland Business Journal reports. Applications open March 1.
