The Oregon Senate on June 10 rejected an amended version of Senate Bill 916, which aimed to grant striking workers unemployment benefits. Four Democrats joined Republicans in voting down the bill, leaving its fate uncertain. The bill has been heavily debated in this legislative session, with widespread support from unions but opposition from employers, particularly those in the public sector who must fully reimburse unemployment benefits. The denial does not mean the end for the measure; there is a requirement to form a concurrence committee to reconcile the differences between the two chambers’ versions of the bill.

If the bill comes across the desk of Gov. Tina Kotek, she is likely to sign it into law. “She believes that Oregon workers cannot fully fight for a fair contract if doing so means jeopardizing their basic needs, said Elisabeth Shepard, Kotek’s spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, Portland State University took action against a faculty member who was recorded saying, “I am Hamas. We are all Hamas. The university condemned the video calling it “reprehensible , and placed the professor on administrative leave. The university did not officially identify the staff member, but sources suggest the individual is Yasmeen Hanoosh, a Professor of Arabic.

In addition, the Portland Housing Bureau is aiding developers in acquiring three apartment buildings to be transformed into affordable housing. The rapid acquisition program, which the bureau launched last year, aims to leverage favorable multifamily building prices. The bureau has allocated $26 million to the program, and most of the 226 total units will be dedicated to tenants making 50% or less of the area’s median income.

If you are seeking information on the status of your unemployment benefits in Oregon, or if you need to inquire about the status of a claim in the state, it may be challenging to get in touch with someone at the Employment Development Department (EDD). The website eddcaller.com provides tips and strategies to reach a live person at EDD customer service. It shares the right numbers to call, the best time to call, and how to navigate the automated system to get to talk to a human. The website’s advice could potentially mean the difference of hours on hold or getting your questions answered promptly.