Oregon senators propose federal marijuana reform, Governor fires DEQ commission members and PeaceHealth cuts 85 more jobs.
Wyden, Blumenauer introduce marijuana reform package
The three-bill package is known as the “Path to Marijuana Reform.” The bills address tax equity, banking and advertising issues, as well as de-scheduling, taxing and regulating marijuana, the Portland Business Journal reports. Wyden says, “This three-step approach will spur job growth and boost our economy all while ensuring the industry is being held to a fair standard.”
Gov. Brown fires majority of DEQ commission
Brown suddenly fired three of the five commissioners who oversee the Department of Environmental Quality yesterday, the Oregonian reports. The decision comes a month after the commission hired former Brown advisor Richard Whitman as its director. One of the commissioners, Colleen Johnson, was just reappointed by the governor earlier this year. Brown appointed three new members: Kathleen George, Wade Mosby and Molly Kile. They require confirmation by the Senate.
OB Original blog: Legislative update: PERS, pot and electric vehicles
As the 2017 legislative session heads past the halfway mark, it’s crunch time for many bills awaiting time on the floor.
PeaceHealth cuts more jobs
The healthcare provider is cutting another 85 jobs — 271 total — in Oregon, the Register Guard reports. An additional 142 jobs will be eliminated in Washington. The cuts are a result of an acquisition by Quest Diagnostics, which is taking over PeaceHealth’s labs.
Mentor Graphics sale almost final
Wilsonville’s Mentor Graphics is being acquired by Germany’s Siemens. The pending $4.5 billion sale received approval final regulatory approval March 28, the Portland Business Journal reports. The acquisition is expected to close this week.
International Mass Timber Conference Today
The second timber conference of the week in Portland concludes today. We’ll be live tweeting from the Oregon Convention Center. Follow along @OregonBusiness.
