Shaanth Nanguneri

ICYMI: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/judge...

We have officially gaveled out of the 2026 session for the Oregon Senate. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com

Federal judge restricts agents' use of tear gas, munitions against crowds at Portland ICE facility • Oregon Capital Chronicle The order is part of an ongoing lawsuit against the federal government brought by protesters and freelance journalists.

One exception to Baggio's order: when use is "necessary to
address an imminent threat to life." Echoes the previous orders of U.S. District Judge Michael Simon in case brought by protesters, ACLU, etc.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/03/f...

BREAKING: U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio on Friday granted a preliminary injunction sought by residents of Gray's Landing by the Portland ICE facility. This bars federal agents from using tear gas and other chemical munitions at a level that is "likely to reach" the affordable housing complex.

The broader bill focuses on ensuring Oregonians' immigration status isn't used as evidence against them in a civil proceeding. That's unless it's "an essential fact to prove an element of a party’s cause of action or essential to establish a party’s claim for relief."

Interestingly, Sen. Dick Anderson, a Lincoln City Republican who is mulling a run to lead the state's Bureau of Labor and Industries, voted yes on a bill to prohibit employers from firing their employees for lawfully updating their federal work authorization status. Broke w/ other GOP senators.

Oregon bill to move gas tax referendum heads to governor’s desk • Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon House passed a bill that would move the date Oregonians can vote on a controversial 2025 transportation law from November to May.

Update: Gov. Tina Kotek late Monday signed Senate Bill 1599 into law, clearing the way for the gas tax referendum to take place on the May primary. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/02/o...

Diehl confirmed with me today that he won't return the money he has fundraised during the session, and that he plans to continue collecting donations. That leaves the ball in Fahey's court, though it's unclear if she has any tools/authority at her disposal beyond the warning letter issued Friday.

Former Democratic state senator runs for swing coastal Oregon Senate seat • Oregon Capital Chronicle Rachel Armitage previously served as a state senator for the district in 2022, after the seat was vacated by a candidate for governor.

A former Oregon legislative staffer and Democratic state senator from the North Coast wants to return to the Capitol to take the place of an Oregon Republican barred from seeking reelection.

Oregon House speaker reprimands Republican gubernatorial candidate for fundraising during session • Oregon Capital Chronicle It’s not clear whether Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, can or will face any sanctions from House for collecting campaign funds during the session.

Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey on Friday chided the chamber’s sole gubernatorial candidate, Republican Rep. Ed Diehl of Scio, for violating self-imposed House rules by collecting campaign donations during this year’s short legislative session. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/27/o...

Oregon House speaker reprimands Republican gubernatorial candidate for fundraising during session • Oregon Capital Chronicle It’s not clear whether Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, can or will face any sanctions from House for collecting campaign funds during the session.

Scooplet from @shaanthx.bsky.social: House Speaker Julie Fahey sent Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio and a candidate for governor, a letter chiding him for accepting campaign contributions during session because of a questionably legal House rule.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/27/o...

You can hear the sound of these protests reverberating in the House chamber.

The Oregon House has punted an anticipated Thursday vote on the gas tax election shifting legislation to Monday. Gives the secretary of state even less time to verify signatures and gather arguments from Oregonians who wish to weigh in on the state's voter pamphlet should bill pass.

What should the Oregon Capital Chronicle ask candidates? We introduced a voter guide with competitive races in 2024 and plan to expand it to cover all legislative, congressional and statewide races in 2026. Questions are based on our own reporting and…

The filing deadline for the May 19 primary election is in just a few weeks. As our team plans primary coverage, we want to hear from you. What do you want to know from candidates to cast an informed vote?
buff.ly/P8zZnoH

Oregon House passes gun bill bolstering Measure 114 over Republicans' data privacy concerns • Oregon Capital Chronicle The legislation comes as the Oregon Supreme Court weighs whether to uphold the 2022 voter-approved gun control law.

The Oregon House on Wednesday moved to strengthen some of the nation’s strictest state-level firearm safety provisions narrowly enacted by Oregon voters in 2022, after a tense dispute during a committee hearing over the bill brought the chamber to a standstill on Monday.

After Republicans failed to garner enough votes to send this bill back to a budget committee, the House is now at ease..

It's more complicated than both sides are presenting. The CA judge's opinion is likely to be overturned according to most legal experts I speak to. But Oregon's proposed bill is softer than CA's law bc it doesn't create criminal penalties and applies to state, fed and local agents.

Oregon House lawmakers are debating their version of an anti-mask bill for law enforcement, which allows for civil suits against agencies who violate the law. Comes after a federal judge upholding CA's identification law (stayed by 9th circuit) & striking down law targeting feds and local agents.

Smith is back, too.

House Minority Leader Rep. Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinnville, and Rep. Kevin Mannix, R-Salem are now on the floor. So are Rep Bobby Levy, R-Echo and Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane. Looks like Dems could have enough for a quorum, and some Republicans avoiding the M113 limit on absences by showing up in morning

Aaaand Smith has now left the floor after being pulled aside from a convo with Dems from his aides.

Waiting on the Oregon House floor as most Dems have returned to the chamber since yesterday's adjournment. Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, is back on the floor after announcing his party's walkout on Monday over the gas tax referral bill. We'll see if the rest of his party follows suit and returns.

Oregon House Republicans stage walkout as gas tax election, gun control votes near • Oregon Capital Chronicle The walkout came as controversial gun control and transportation bills neared consideration in the Oregon House.

The House is set to return at 3:45. Republicans say they won't be there, denying quorum to block the first reading of gas tax bill. More from @shaanthx.bsky.social, reporting from the #orleg with @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social and @miamaldonado.bsky.social:
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/23/o...

After slow fall COVID shot rollout, Oregon moves to bolster public health officials’ authority • Oregon Capital Chronicle Not all states who are members of the West Coast Health Alliance for vaccines have moved at the same pace to ensure access.

The stories during fall’s annual vaccine season kept piling up: Patients driving to Washington. Doctors concerned about a lack of liability protections. Pharmacists navigating a legal gray area they had never seen before.

Labor Secretary’s Husband Barred From the Department After Sexual Assault Reports

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/b...

Tensions rise among Oregon lawmakers over push to introduce bill limitations • Oregon Capital Chronicle One vocal Democrat resigned from caucus leadership over dissatisfaction with his party's support for such legislation.

Tensions rise among Oregon lawmakers over push to introduce bill limitations

Tensions rise among Oregon lawmakers over push to introduce bill limitations • Oregon Capital Chronicle One vocal Democrat resigned from caucus leadership over dissatisfaction with his party's support for such legislation.

Rep. Paul Evans, a Monmouth Democrat and one of the Legislature's most prolific bill writers, quit his post as an assistant Dem caucus leader because he's so mad about a bill to limit how many bills everyone can introduce.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/19/t...

While the Senate has adjourned after Republicans' walkout today ahead of the transportation vote, some Democratic lawmakers in the largely empty House chamber are dancing and singing along to Charli XCX and Icona Pop's' "I love it."

Oregon House clears bill to alert school, university communities of immigration activity  • Oregon Capital Chronicle House Bill 4079 passed the Oregon House by a 35-22 vote on Tuesday, with all Republicans and one Democrat voting in opposition.

Oregon public universities and schools would have to promptly notify their communities when federal immigration agents step onto campus under a bill the Oregon House passed Tuesday.