Morning Roundup

Transportation package bypasses safety measures. In his latest blog, economist and occasional OB Contributor Joe Cortright points out the deficiencies in Oregon's $5.3 billion transportation allocation. The state is experiencing a crisis in roadway deaths, Cortright says, and the package doesn't prioritize a solution. 

"This new performance report makes it clear that the Oregon Department of Transportation is an agency that's gung-ho to spend money on extremely expensive projects to widen highways, but doesn't seem to be doing anything to prioritize its investments to the kinds of locations that are killing and injuring increasing numbers of Oregonians," he writes.

PacifiCorp is next. Environmental groups steered Portland General Electric away from new natural gas fired plants. Now PacifiCorp's coal-fired facilities face scrutiny. The Portland Business Journal has more.

As expected, landlords file appeal over relocation assistance order. Landlords sued the city because they believe the relocation assistance ordinance is unconstitutional. Now they're taking their challenge to a higher court. The ordinance requires Portland landlords who issue no-cause evictions to pay renters between $2,900 and $4,500 to relocate. The Oregonian has the story.

Pacific Seafood loses insurance battle. The company has spent the last 18 months entangled in a legal battle with its insurance carrier after the company submitted a claim for a 2013 fire that destroyed its Warrenton seafood plant. The claim has been dismissed with prejudice. Read more from the Daily Astorian. 

Bank of Cascades finally makes switch. The Bend bank was purchased by First Interstate Bank in May. After a months-long transition, operations officially transfer today. The Bend Bulletin has more.

From the Magazine: Power Couple. The leaders of a medical center and foundation think globally — and act globally.