The Constitution of Oregon is the guardian of the
Government of Oregon as the government is structured and established by the State Constitution of Oregon. Oregon attained statehood and became 33rd state of US on February 14, 1859
[1]. The State Constitution of Oregon divides the powers of the government into three distinct branches—the legislative, the executive and the judicial.
Executive Branch in Oregon
The executive branch in Oregon is a well functioning body of the state government. The chief executive power of the State is vested in the Governor. Several state government departments work under the executive branch.
Governor of OregonThe Governor exercises the chief executive power in the State. It is the duty of the Governor to take care that the
laws are faithfully executed. The Governor is the commander in chief of the military and naval forces of this State. The governor holds his office for the term of four years. The qualifications required to be the Governor is that a person must be a citizen of the United States and must have attained the age of thirty years.
Contact DetailsOffice of the Governor
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, OR 97301-4047
Phone: 503-378-3111
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/gov/pages/index.aspxSecretary of StateThe Secretary of State is responsible to keep a fair record of the official acts of the Legislative Assembly and the executive Branch. The Secretary of State is also the Auditor of Public Accounts and performs such other duties as is assigned by the law. The Secretary of State hold offices for the term of four years.
Contact DetailsSecretary of State
900 Court St. NE, Rm. 136, Salem OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-1523
Website:
http://sos.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspxTreasurer of StateThe Treasurer of State is the chief financial officer for the state. The Treasurer of State heads the Oregon State Treasury and serves on the Land Board with the Governor and Secretary of State. The Treasurer of State holds offices for the term of four years.
Contact DetailsTreasurer of State
900 Court St. NE, Rm. 159, Salem OR 97301
503-378-4329
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/treasury/Pages/index.aspx
Legislative Branch in Oregon
The legislative power of the state of Oregon is vested in a Legislative Assembly which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
Contact DetailsOregon State Legislature
Building Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 5:00pm
Phone: 1-800-332-2313
website:
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/The
Oregon State Senate consists of thirty members. The senators are chosen by the electors of the respective
districts or counties or sub districts in a county or district. The Senators are elected for the term of four years and represent the state's districts.
Learn more about
Oregon State SenateThe
Oregon House of Representatives consist of sixty elected members. The representatives are chosen by the electors of the respective counties or districts or sub districts within a county or district. The representatives are elected for the term of two years and represent the state's districts.
Learn more about
Oregon House of Representatives
Judicial Branch in Oregon
The judicial power in Oregon is vested in one Supreme Court and in such other courts as may be created by law. The judges of the supreme and other courts are elected for a term of six years. The judiciary of Oregon consists primarily of four different courts:
- The Oregon Supreme Court
- The Oregon Tax Court
- The Oregon Court of Appeals
- The Oregon circuit courts
Supreme Court of Oregon
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the Oregon judicial branch. The court consists of 7 elected justices who choose one of their own to serve as the Chief Justice for a term of six years. The Supreme Court has discretionary review of cases from the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over direct review of circuit court decisions, direct review from decisions of the Oregon Tax Court and others.
Contact DetailsOregon Supreme Court
1163 State Street
Salem, OR 97301-2563
Phone: 503.986.5555
Fax: 503.986.5730
Website:
http://courts.oregon.gov/Supreme/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Court of Appeals
The Oregon Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court. The Court of Appeals handles judicial review taken from Oregon's administrative agencies and trial courts. The Oregon Court of Appeals ranks as one of nation's busiest appellate courts.
Contact DetailsOregon Court of Appeals
1163 State Street
Salem, OR 97301-2563
Phone: 503.986.5555
Fax: 503.986.5560
Website:
http://courts.oregon.gov/COA/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Tax Court
The Oregon Tax Court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear tax appeals under state laws, including property tax, personal income tax, timber tax, corporate excise tax, local budget law and property tax limitations. There are two divisions in the court-- the Magistrate Division and the Regular Division.
Contact Details1241 State Street
Floor 3R (Magistrate Division)
Floor 4R (Regular Division)
Salem, OR 97301
Phone Magistrate (Division):503.986.5650
Fax: 503.986.4507
Phone (Regular Division): 503.986.5645
Fax: 503.986.5507
Website:
http://courts.oregon.gov/Tax/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Circuit Court
The Circuit Courts are trial level courts with general jurisdiction. They are divided into 27 judicial districts across the entire state. Circuit judges are elected by judicial district.
Contact DetailsWebsite:
http://courts.oregon.gov/OJD/courts/circuit/Pages/index.aspx
Taxation in Oregon
The Oregon Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and the collection of taxes and fees. Tax laws include entire laws and taxes on corporation tax, excise tax, tobacco tax, personal tax, business tax and other services. Oregon does not have a general sales tax.
Tax Rate in Oregon
- Tax per 25-pack of cigarette: $1.6375 [2]
- Minimum tax for excise taxpayer: $10 [3]
Oregon Tax Programs Business taxPersonal income taxProperty taxTimber taxesCigarette and tobacco product taxOther Agency AccountsDeferral Programs
State Departments in Oregon
Various state departments exist in Oregon working dedicatedly for the smooth functioning of the government of the state. The state departments in Oregon work in coordination to provide for a better system of governance. Some of the important state departments in Oregon are:
Bureau of Labor and Industries
The Bureau of Labor and Industries advance employment opportunities, protects employment rights and ensures access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.
Contact DetailsBureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon St., Suite 1045
Portland 97232
Phone: 971-673-0761
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Public Health Division
The Oregon Public Health Division is responsible to look after the healthcare conditions and improving the living
standards of the people of Oregon. The health division aims at to promote lifelong health for all people in Oregon. The mission of the health division is to promote the health of the people and to prevent the leading causes of death, disease and injury in Oregon.
Contact DetailsOregon Public Health Division
800 NE Oregon Street
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 971-673-1222
Fax: 971-673-1299
E-mail:health.webmaster@state.or.us
Hours of Operation: Available 24-hours
Website:
https://public.health.oregon.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
Oregon Department of Education
The Oregon Department of
Education manages and supervises the education system in the state. The
department aims at to provide world class education and best values to
the students to ensure student success.
Contact DetailsOregon Department of Education
255 Capitol St NE, Salem, OR 97310, United States
Phone: 503-947-5600
Oregon State Treasury
The Office of the State Treasurer performs a wide range of financial responsibilities such as managing the investment of state funds, serving as the central bank for state agencies, issuing all state bonds, and administering the Oregon 529 College Savings Network.
Contact DetailsOregon State Treasury
Phone: (503) 378-4000
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/treasury/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Department of Transportation
The Oregon Department of
Transportation is responsible to provide safe, reliable and efficient
transportation system
throughout the state of Oregon. The department
develops plans and programs relating to the system of highways, roads,
bridges, railways and airways in Oregon.
Contact DetailsOregon Department of Transportation
355 Capitol Street NE, MS 11
Salem, OR 97301-3871
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: 888-275-6368
Fax: 503-986-3432
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/index.aspx
Oregon Military Department
The Oregon Military Department is responsible to administer, equip house, and train the Oregon National Guard, a ready force to support the Governor during unrest or natural disaster and as a reserve force to the United States Air Force and the United States Army.
Contact DetailsOregon Military Department
1776 Militia Way SE
PO Box 14350
Salem, Oregon 97309-5047
Phone: 503-584-3980
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/omd/pages/index.aspx
Oregon Department of Agriculture
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is responsible to ensure food safety and provide consumer protection. The department aims at promoting economic development and expands market opportunities for Oregon agricultural products.
Contact DetailsOregon Department of Agriculture
Phone: 503-986-4736
Website:
http://www.oregon.gov/oda/Pages/default.aspx
References:
- Oregon statehood
- Tobacco tax
- Excise tax
