🚣 Lake Oswego goes private (again)

Boating Restrictions Return in Lake Oswego

Oswego Lake will once again be closed to the public — this time for the July 4 holiday weekend. Critics say the city's latest move is a “chipping away of public access,” despite the successful lawsuit that determined the lake should be open to the public earlier this year. [KGW]

Transportation Committee Shuffle

The $14.5 billion transportation bill that would increase the state’s gas tax was sent back to committee, where there was more shuffling of Democratic committee members — a sign of the bill’s tenuous path at the end of the legislative session. Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego), who had installed himself to replace a Democrat who opposed the bill, and Sen. Chris Gorsek, who had a testy exchange with a Republican during committee work, have both been replaced by fellow Democrats. [KGW]

Wildfires Have Started Early

On the midweek roundup, wildfires have started early in Oregon this year, already destroying 56 homes and burning more than 20,000 acres. Meanwhile, the Legislature is working to pass a bill that would tax nicotine pouches and other products to support firefighting. [City Cast Portland 🎧]