Julia Shumway
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jmshumway.bsky.social
Julia Shumway
@jmshumway.bsky.social
4.1K followers 560 following 530 posts
Editor-in-chief @oregoncapitalchronicle.com , Oregon Capitol press corps president, @spjoregon.bsky.social treasurer, bookworm, cat mom, national park enthusiast.
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jmshumway.bsky.social
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...
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.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:53 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Readers of the weekend @oregoncapitalchronicle.com newsletter had a primer on walkout politics before Senate Rs ditched today. Our free newsletter offers the latest #orleg and #orpol headlines M-F and an accessible Saturday summary featuring a scenic photo.

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Happy birthday, Oregon! On this day in 1859, Congress sent Oregon the sweetest valentine: Entry into the union as the 33rd state. Over the past 167 years, Oregonians who took the state motto "She flies with her own wings" have returned the gift many times over, giving the world delicacies like tater tots and corn dogs, useful tools like the Phillips head screw and wiki website and pioneering legislation since copied by other states, including mail voting and bottle deposits aimed at keeping plastic off our beautiful beaches. Readers in or near Salem can visit the state Capitol today for a birthday celebration, the first held in the newly reopened building since the pandemic. One of the quirks of the state constitution since statehood is a higher requirement for legislative quorum than most other states, and we'll be watching to see if Republicans in the minority party make use of that next week over an effort to move a transportation tax referendum from November to May. Democrats advanced the bill late Thursday over Republican objections. It needs to pass the full Senate and the House, and be signed by Gov. Tina Kotek, by Feb. 25 to qualify for the May ballot because of strict deadlines for printing ballots and informational materials. Republicans have vowed to do everything they can to stop that from happening. One tool in their arsenal is skipping floor sessions, as the Oregon Constitution requires the presence of 20 senators or 40 representatives to start business. That means even if all Democrats are there, they need two Republican senators or three Republican House members. Voters tired of walkouts amended the constitution in 2022 to punish lawmakers who miss 10 or more sessions by making them ineligible for reelection, but they didn't address the underlying quorum issue
February 19, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Republicans in the Oregon Senate staged a walkout Wednesday afternoon ahead of a scheduled vote on a bill to reschedule a referendum on controversial transportation tax and fee increases from November to May. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/18/o...
Oregon Republicans walk out of Senate ahead of vote on transportation referendum • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Republicans in the Oregon Senate staged a walkout ahead of a vote on a bill to reschedule a referendum on controversial transportation tax and fee increases.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:32 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Beautiful tribute to former Avel Gordly, the first Black woman to serve as an Oregon state senator, who died Monday at 79.

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
Avel Gordly, Oregon’s first Black woman state senator, dies at 79
“I know that my presence made a difference,” she said of her time in office. “I know that my voice made a difference.”
www.oregonlive.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
The Capital Chronicle reached out to more than a dozen House and Senate Republican lawmakers about immigration, most of whom were more reluctant to address the conduct of federal agents than leading gubernatorial candidates for the GOP’s nomination. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/16/a...
As Trump’s deportation campaign grows violent, some Oregon Republicans begin to push back • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Several lawmakers and Republican spokespeople bristled at requests for comment, but a few expressed concerns with federal agents' tactics.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:34 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
So many yikes here — do we start with the choice to use AI to find stories instead of training reporters? Piling on a recent grad for having ethics? Using a reporter’s headshot so people who don’t read captions think she wrote this? The overall smug righteousness?

www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...
Journalism schools are teaching fear of the future: Letter from the Editor
Journalism schools lag in teaching AI, crucial for modern reporting, which aids in efficient news gathering and frees reporters for fieldwork.
www.cleveland.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:05 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
In Woodburn this morning, @salinas.house.gov, @merkley.senate.gov and immigrant rights advocates urged Oregonians to keep speaking out against aggressive immigration enforcement and for neighbors who fear retaliation if they speak publicly.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/13/s...
Salinas, Merkley, immigrant rights advocates speak against ICE in Woodburn • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon representatives introduced a bill to enable people whose rights were violated by immigration officers to sue the federal government.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:42 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
2026: Our junior U.S. senator is making and handing out pamphlets about authoritarianism.
February 13, 2026 at 8:07 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
In testimony on a journalism funding bill, a Carpenter Media representative reveals that the company that owns the largest share of newspapers in Oregon employs 60 journalists. Before Carpenter bought them, the Pamplin chain employed 110 people and EO 185, though not all were journalists.
For Carpenter Media’s nearly 60 journalists across Oregon, this legislation provides something invaluable: the possibility of a sustainable career in community journalism — something increasingly difficult in a marketplace dominated by a company like Google.
February 13, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Diana Crespo, 7, and her parents spent weeks in a Texas detention facility, locked up 2,000 miles from home after federal officers detained them on their way to seek medical care. Today, they were guests of honor at the Oregon House.
Oregon family detained by federal agents appear as special guests in state capitol • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The family’s detention drew statewide attention because they were detained while seeking urgent care for Diana’s prolonged nosebleed
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 12:44 AM
jmshumway.bsky.social
State Sen. Christine Drazan, a Canby Republican and candidate for governor, skipped voting on bills today to host a roundtable with business leaders in another senator's district. #orleg #orpol oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/orego... via @shaanthx.bsky.social
Oregon GOP gubernatorial candidate skips Senate floor session for business event • Oregon Capital Chronicle
None of the bills Drazan has sponsored involving business and economic issues survived a Monday deadline to schedule committee votes.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:36 AM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Older adults who are less likely to have reliable access to the internet risk being left out by landlords' growing reliance on online applications and rent portals. Oregon lawmakers want to give renters a non-digital option, OCC intern Robin Linares writes.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/10/o...
Oregon housing bill tries to reduce rental barriers for older adults • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Senate Bill 1523 would ensure renters have the option to use paper housing applications and payment methods.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:19 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
today in #orleg coverage as a tiny newsroom: I assembled three office chairs while listening to a committee hearing and then found a parking space of questionable legality to hand them off to reporters to wheel through the halls of the Capitol
February 10, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
miamaldonado.bsky.social
Doctors and critics told lawmakers today that the Oregon cannabis industry lacks regulations meant to protect youth. Senate Bill 1548, brought forward by Sen. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, would address those concerns. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/10/o...
Oregon lawmakers propose capping cannabis edibles at 10 milligrams of THC • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to prohibit the sale of individual edibles that have more than 10 milligrams of THC.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
janenorman.bsky.social
Maryland Gov Wes Moore and Colorado Gov Jared Polis were disinvited from the fancy White House dinner, California Gov Gavin Newsom says he also was uninvited. Oregon Gov Tina Kotek says she decided not to go at all and focus on the legislative session.
February 9, 2026 at 10:23 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
As threats against elected officials rise, Oregon lawmakers want to make threatening an elected official, candidate for office or their family a felony.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/09/o...
Oregon lawmakers propose criminal penalties for alarming, threatening public officials • Oregon Capital Chronicle
As threats of violence against public officials continue to rise nationwide, Oregon lawmakers want clear criminal penalties for those who attempt to intimidate a public official or their family. Lawma...
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:51 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Bad news: ORESTAR won't load
Good news: This is the first time ORESTAR breaking brought up this charming image of a pioneer trying to push a wagon through the mud
Image of a pioneer pushing a wagon uphill
February 9, 2026 at 10:50 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Living for this personalized sketch downtown Salem’s Easy Otter put on my takeout bag.
Drawing of otter with heart eyes saying “Oh Julia… you make me feel Shumway”
February 9, 2026 at 9:51 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Two minutes before a hearing on moving a transportation tax referendum from November to May is scheduled to start, maybe two dozen people are in a Capitol hearing room waiting to testify. #orleg
February 9, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
hbarth.bsky.social
ProPublica spoke with a dozen kids detained in Dilley Texas, including 7-year-old Diana Crespo who was released from the facility on Friday. Great reporting by @micarosenberg.bsky.social
February 9, 2026 at 7:58 PM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Our version of the Big Game is breaking out a new pipe cleaner
February 9, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
miamaldonado.bsky.social
BREAKING: The Crespo-González family, who was detained in January in a Portland hospital parking lot while seeking care for their 7-year-old, was released from detention today. U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, is escorting them back home. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/02/06/f...
Family detained by agents in Portland hospital parking lot released from detention • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The family detained by agents in a Portland hospital’s parking lot is headed back to Oregon after being released from detention in Texas.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:07 AM
jmshumway.bsky.social
Great reporting by @dirquez.bsky.social: #orleg Republicans are testing whether Dems will try to enforce a possibly unconstitutional House rule that bans members from collecting campaign contributions during session.

www.opb.org/article/2026...
Oregon House Republicans test rule barring political donations during session
A recent opinion by legislative attorneys suggested the longstanding rule is unconstitutional.
www.opb.org
February 7, 2026 at 1:39 AM
jmshumway.bsky.social
The #orleg is mostly done with its first week, and what a week it’s been! Our small but mighty @oregoncapitalchronicle.com team has been busy catching all the developments we can. Here’s a thread on what you may have missed…
an orange and white cat is playing with a cardboard box
ALT: an orange and white cat is playing with a cardboard box
media.tenor.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Reposted by Julia Shumway
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Less than a year after a bipartisan bill to streamline the payout process for exonerated Oregonians stalled, Oregon lawmakers are trying their hand at a narrower piece of legislation. buff.ly/MiezAr0 by @shaanthx.bsky.social
Targeting debunked forensics, Oregon lawmakers propose narrowed wrongful conviction bill  • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Less than a year after a bipartisan bill to streamline the payout process for exonerated Oregonians stalled, Oregon lawmakers are trying their hand at a narrower piece of legislation. Senate Bill…
buff.ly
February 5, 2026 at 4:27 PM