Media
Latest News
Verda Heilman realized she was kicking herself out of her own home when she voted with other members of the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority Board this year to sell a former boarding house in Uniontown to a nonprofit that plans homeless outreach.
Heilman was the last of the building's residents to find a place to live after the sale was finalized. But, she said in July even as she struggled to find a new home, "It's going to a good project. … As much as I didn't want to move, it's for the best of the community."
At my recent visit to Anvil Academy in Newberg, I met a student with a learning disability who is using woodworking skills to start his own business. Another powerful success story came from Tigard-Tualatin Superintendent Dr. Sue Rieke-Smith, who told me about how a student experiencing profound poverty and homelessness was transformed by an auto mechanics class and is now in college studying to become a mechanical engineer.
BEAVERTON, Ore. [08/21/18] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that Easterseals Oregon will receive $1.5M in federal funding over three years to provide employment services for homeless veterans in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The funding allows Easterseals Oregon to expand beyond Multnomah County and offer these services for the first time in Washington and Clackamas counties.
Reports surfaced this month that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) for asbestos in June, requiring anyone who wanted to start or resume importing or manufacturing the carcinogenic mineral to first receive EPA approval.
July 17, 2018
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a twelve-hour public hearing on July 17 to hear oral comments on the proposed rule entitled "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science." The proposed rule would require the EPA to only use scientific studies with publicly available data in developing regulations, unless the EPA administrator exempts these requirements on an individual case-by-case basis for significant regulatory decisions that a
The mint business is growing in the Clatskanie area. To keep up with consumer needs, Seely Family Farm will take advantage of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D) toured the Seely farm in the Clatskanie area on Aug. 14. Her office supported the securing of a USDA Rural Development Value Added Producer Grant of $250,000 to help staff to the mint operation. The funds will cover around five jobs at the company.
WASHINGTON, DC [08/15/18] – Congresswoman Bonamici, Senators Wyden and Merkley, and Representatives DeFazio, Blumenauer, and Schrader called on the Trump Administration to work with China to reduce or eliminate Chinese tariffs that are harming Oregon's hazelnut farmers and making it difficult for them to compete with growers in other countries.
In addition to quickly lending her office's support in coordinating efforts to engage the Trump administration on the issue, Bonamici also wanted to connect more directly with those who would be hurt by the escalating trade war with China. She had that opportunity Aug. 8 at the Allison Inn and Spa, where local farmers shared their stories and, through the Associated Oregon Hazelnut Industries, honored the congresswoman with its 2018 Legislative Champion Award.
Oregon's hazelnut industry is facing trade anxiety on two fronts: Restricted access to a major customer and low prices offered by a major competitor.
With the annual harvest quickly approaching, there's not much time left for the looming problems to be resolved.
Hazelnuts are caught in the broader trade dispute with China, which has raised tariffs on the crop while limiting opportunities to avoid duties by trans-shipping through neighboring countries.