KWSO News 7/1/19

4th of July events in Warm Springs will continue as scheduled, however due to the lack of water and high fire potential, people are asked to light personal fireworks at the Community Center parking lot, the Simnasho or Agency Longhouse parking lots or the campus across from the courthouse. Community members are strongly discouraged from lighting fireworks at homes. Other things to remember – bring water to your event, properly dispose of fireworks and do not leave trash behind. There will be a community fireworks show and everyone needs to stay clear of that area, which will be cordoned off.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr declared a law enforcement emergency in Alaska on Friday, clearing the way for the Justice Department to award more than $10 million to combat crime in rural communities. The announcement comes a month after Barr visited the state and met with Alaska Natives, who described disproportionately high rates of violence and sexual assault in Native communities and other problems, including not having any law enforcement presence in some villages.  It is the first time that Barr has personally declared a law enforcement emergency since he assumed the top post at the Justice Department in February.

Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced Friday that, with unanimous support, the U.S. Senate has passed the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act. The legislation would enable the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make important safety and sanitation improvements at the tribal treaty fishing access sites along the Columbia River, which are on lands held by the United States for the benefit of the four Columbia River Treaty tribes. The bill now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives for final passage, and then to the president’s desk to become law.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon will become the 8th state in the nation to offer paid family and medical leave. Senators voted 21-6 Sunday to send the governor one of the most generous paid leave proposals in the nation. It offers all workers who make more than $1,000 a year 12 weeks paid leave for family or medical reasons. It is the first paid leave plan to offer low-income workers 100% wage replacement. Businesses and employees will be required to contribute to help fund the program. Small businesses are exempted from contributing.  The measure now heads to the governor’s desk. Gov. Kate Brown has said she will sign. Workers will start seeing benefits in 2023.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon voters will decide next year whether the state should increase its tobacco tax. The Senate voted 18-8 Sunday to put the question to the voters for next year’s general election. The measure will increase the cigarette tax by $2 a pack and impose the state’s first tax on e-cigarettes and other vaping products. The move is central to the governor’s plan to bridge a shortfall in the state’s Medicaid program. The state is facing a $346 million hole in its Medicaid budget for the next biennium because of decreases in federal funding.