The state has asked the Oregon Supreme Court to reverse an appeals court ruling against Walmart, saying it created a “dramatic change” in the way wetlands fill projects are considered.

A case being contemplated by the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn mandatory public sector union dues, but Oregon unions think the blow could be mostly temporary. Oregon's public sector labor unions are bracing for an unfavorable ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on a case that could strike down mandatory public sector union dues that support collective bargaining here and in other states.

An appeal hearing last week in Salem of a state-issued wetlands fill permit for a proposed Walmart superstore in The Dalles focused on whether the project had to meet a public need or not.