There’s a push to put spuds on a pedestal
Oregon has an official animal, bird and fish — the beaver, western meadowlark and Chinook salmon, respectively. Now, one year after lawmakers turned up their noses at making onions the state vegetable, there’s a proposal to elevate the humble but heavily grown potato. State Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, is sponsoring a resolution to put spuds on a pedestal as the official state veggie, overlooking the 200-plus other crops grown in the state. Though Oregon ranks fourth among states in potato production, it is by far the most widely grown vegetable in the state with 2.6 billion pounds harvested last year compared to 1.5 billion pounds of onions. (George Plaven/Capital Press)
Bill advances giving renters right to offer in-home child care
With much of Oregon experiencing high demand for child care, state lawmakers are considering a bill that would give renters the ability to offer paid child care. Right now, landlords have the option of allowing tenants to offer such services. The bill takes that option away as long as the child care provider follows state and local regulations and obtains liability insurance. “This bill is an important step to give more options for affordable child care so that working families can stay in their communities,” said Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, who is one of the bill’s chief sponsors. (Chris M Lehman/KLCC)
Vancouver rental rates growing faster than Portland and US
Rental prices in Vancouver took tenants on a roller coaster ride last year — and it looks like they’ll be taking another lap around the tracks in 2023. A recent report shows last year’s rental rates in the city fluctuated and outpaced growth in other cities across the nation, including nearby Portland. Year-over-year rent increases in Vancouver are currently 4.5%, which is more than state (1.7%) and national (3.3%) metrowide averages. Analysts blame the higher rents on a chronic shortage of affordable housing, supply and demand mismatches, inflation, and lack of development. (Mia Ryder-Marks/The Columbian)
4 years of drought taking a toll on weary Central Oregon farmers
Despite some winter moisture, Central Oregon farmers aren’t getting their hopes up for this year’s growing season. Farmers in Crook and Jefferson counties have faced year after year of drought and don’t see the dry-spell ending soon. Increasing costs and supply chain breakdowns have also hurt business. Dairy farmer Jos Poland sold nearly half his cows as he’s watched others leave the business entirely. Poland is even advising his 16-year-old son to avoid dairy farming as a career. “It’s just a losing proposition and scary when you start putting your savings into the dairy business to keep it afloat,” Poland said. (Michael Kohn/The Bend Bulletin)
Oregon bill would ban flavored tobacco products
Oregon could ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products under a bill being considered in Salem this year. The proposal is aimed at preventing kids from smoking. Backers of House Bill 3090 say cigarettes and vaping products with sweet or minty flavors attract young users, leading to nicotine addictions that can last a lifetime. Two Oregon counties, Washington and Multnomah, have already adopted bans on flavored tobacco. But neither has gone into effect, and last year a judge blocked Washington County’s policy after a legal challenge. (Dirk VanderHart/OPB)