SALEM, Oregon, Feb. 1 -- The Oregon School Boards Association issued the following news: * * * Current service level bill on track to sail through committee The governor's recommended budget featured an $11.36 billion State School Fund, a better starting point than we have come to expect in recent years. That's thanks in large part due to significant work over the past year. Gov. Tina Kotek's staff, state budget writers and education advocates collaborated to update methodologies used in the  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration has released the following public communication on Jan. 24, 2025, from Trillium, an Optibus Co., Portland, Oregon: * * * As an organization maintaining over 300 GTFS datasets for transit systems in the United States, Trillium, an Optibus Company, is deeply invested in the development of both GTFS and any regulatory work surrounding it. We second the concerns voiced about the proposed requirement to match  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency has released the following public communication dated Jan. 27, 2025, from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety: * * * To: Robert Pesapane Division Director Public Assistance Division Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 500 C St SW Washington, DC 20024 Re: Public Assistance Mitigation Cost Share Incentives Policy, FEMA Interim Policy FP 104-24-002 * * * Dear Director  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has released the following public communication dated Jan. 10, 2025, from the Center for Public Representation, Easthampton, Massachusetts. Here are excerpts: * * * To: Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation Wage and Hour Division U.S. Department of Labor Room S-3502 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 RE: Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 1235-AA14 Response to Notice of Proposed R  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has released the following public communication dated Jan. 15, 2025, from the Minnesota Disability Law Center, Minneapolis: * * * To: U.S. Department of Labor - Wage & Hour Division Room S-3502 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 RE: Public Comment on Proposed Rulemaking: Employment of Workers with Disabilities Under Section 14(C) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (Regulatory Information Number: 1235-AA14)   more

SALEM, Oregon, Feb. 1 -- The Oregon School Boards Association issued the following news: * * * OSBA monitoring federal actions The federal government recently issued a series of executive orders and memorandums. The topics include federal funding, DEI programs, immigration, and gender-based facilities and athletics. The administration's moves have been concerning and confusing, but they seem to have little practical effect for the most part at the state and school district level. The administ  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Salinas Statement on Trump's Harmful Tariffs Salem, OR - Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) issued the following statement after President Trump announced steep tariffs that will raise prices for working families and cripple our economy: "Oregonians are already struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table. Instead of working to make their lives better, President Trump is slapping   more

SALEM, Oregon, Feb. 1 -- The Oregon School Boards Association issued the following news: * * * Washington, D.C., advocacy trip comes at opportune time OSBA legislative services is primarily focused on state and local issues, but we keep a foot in federal-level policy. The Trump administration's executive orders this week demonstrate the power of federal directives to upend local plans. OSBA, state government and education partners rallied to defend schools and offer guidance and information.  more