Jeff Mapes, Author at Northwest Public Broadcasting

U.S. House Passes Landmark Bill On Marijuana Business Banking, Fate Uncertain In Senate

By Jeff Mapes September 26, 2019

Thirty states have legalized some form of medical marijuana. Nine of those states and Washington, D.C., allow recreational sale of the drug.CREDIT: TED S. WARREN

The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a landmark bill aimed at helping the fast-growing legal cannabis industry. Backers of fully legalizing marijuana said the 321-103 vote in favor of the so-called “SAFE Banking Act” is a key victory in their drive to bring the drug out of the legal shadows.Read More

Washington And Oregon GOP Congress Members Vote Against President Trump On Border Emergency

By Jeff Mapes February 26, 2019

Cathy McMorris Rodgers gives her victory speech after claiming an eighth term as a US Representative for Washington's 5th District. Credit Emily Schwing/N3

Three Northwest Republican lawmakers parted ways with President Donald Trump Tuesday and voted to block his attempt to fund a border wall through an emergency declaration.Read More

Farm Bill Contains Familiar Fight Over Wildfire Management

By Jeff Mapes December 13, 2018

Washington fire managers responded to nearly 70 new fire starts August 11, 2018, including the Grass Valley Fire that threatened the Grand Coulee Dam area and forced hundreds of evacuations. CREDIT: INCIWEB

Congress passed a new Farm Bill on Wednesday that also contains several provisions aimed at reducing the severity of Western wildfires. And that left the Oregon delegation divided along familiar battle lines.Read More

Measure To Ban State Funding For Abortion Qualifies For Oregon Ballot

By Jeff Mapes July 27, 2018

The Oregon capital building CREDIT:CHRIS LEHMAN / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK

An initiative that would ban state funding for abortion is heading to the November ballot in Oregon, setting up an election battle over abortion in what has been regarded as one of the most pro-choice states in the country. Read More

Congress Fails To Close Deal On Wildfire Prevention Legislation (Once Again)

By Jeff Mapes February 13, 2018

Exasperated members of Congress say they came close last week to ending the longtime stalemate over legislation aimed at reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires.Read More

Sponsors Of Oregon Anti-Sanctuary Measure Say Setback Won’t Stop Ballot Drive

By Jeff Mapes January 13, 2018

Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson

A group seeking to repeal an Oregon law on immigration says it will have to toss about 8,000 petition signatures. But the group's leader says that won’t deter them from moving forward with putting a measure on the November ballot that would overturn Oregon’s sanctuary law. The statute essentially prohibits local police from helping enforce federal immigration law.Read More