The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

By Julia Shumway and Alex Baumbardt

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon legislators returned to Salem Tuesday morning with a long list of policies to change and pet projects to fund, and 35 days to do it all.

Job training is top of mind for most lawmakers and Gov. Kate Brown as Oregon has more open jobs than workers to fill them. Illegal marijuana farms in southern Oregon, the ever-present issue of affordable housing and the ongoing economic recovery from Covid will also battle for attention.

New legislative leaders, campaign season and the threats of a Capitol Covid outbreak or another session...