Kotek says she'll seek more summer school funding

By Julia Shumway | Editor

“It will be a challenge to put my recommended budget together, but I would also say I worked on budgets in the Great Recession and through COVID. Oregon can figure this out. We need to prioritize what we need to fund, and my budget will be prioritizing education and particularly summer investments again because we know it works and we need to do that.” — Gov. Tina Kotek, talking to reporters Tuesday about why she’ll seek more funding for summer school in the 2027-29 budget if she wins reelection this fall.

Also in today's edition:

Oregon gets $15 million from feds for semiconductors
Washington has paid out unemployment to more than 100 striking workers
Idaho abortion ban repeal initiative moves ahead

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Gov. Kotek says her next Oregon budget will prioritize summer learning programs

By Shaanth Nanguneri

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek joins Eddie Wang, chair of the board of Portland Public Schools, for a press conference on Tuesday, July 14th about summer learning in Portland. (Courtesy of Gov. Tina Kotek’s office)

PORTLAND — Gov. Tina Kotek said Tuesday she would prioritize education and summer learning programs in her forthcoming 2027-29 budget, warning that she has difficult work ahead of her to craft the financial plan that will inform next year’s legislative session.

Oregon receives $15 million in federal funding to boost semiconductor industry

By Mia Maldonado

Oregon State University leads Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology, or FAST, a consortium of nearly 100 tech companies, local governments and public education institutions aiming to grow the state’s semiconductor industry. (Photo courtesy of Oregon State University)

Oregon secured $15 million in federal funding to grow the state’s semiconductor industry, and it could receive up to $160 million over the next decade depending on its progress.

Six months in, WA has paid unemployment to more than 100 striking workers

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard

Workers at Hilton’s Embassy Suites in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood have been on strike since June 18. (Photo courtesy of UNITE HERE Local 8)

Washington state has paid out over half a million dollars in unemployment benefits to workers during labor disputes this year.

Initiative to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban qualifies for November’s general election ballot

By Laura Guido and Clark Corbin | Idaho Capital Sun

The voter initiative seeking to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban has officially qualified to appear on ballots in November, Idahoans United for Women and Families, the group leading the effort, announced Monday.

Idahoans United for Women and Families turned in more than 110,000 signatures to the office on July 2, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.