State Politics
Say What Will You About Lariviere …
He knows a thing or two about writing to an audience. University president Richard Lariviere has a commentary piece in today’s Register-Guard, wherein he expounds on why the University, Eugene and the state of Oregon are his kind of place.
The sense of wonder I feel about Oregon and its flagship university is as potent now [...]
More Bad News on State Economy
A little addendum to my article on yesterday’s University Senate meeting:
UO economics professor Tim Duy, who monitors the state economy very closely, said that in addition to drops in higher ed funding, state revenue forecasts for the coming year are “trending down below expectations.”
Duy said the fundamental problem is the initial forecasts were too optimistic [...]
DeFazio passes legislation giving relief to timber industry
Congressman DeFazio introduced a bill today granting one-time contract extensions to the employees of the state’s Bureau of Land Management. This bill intends to bring relief to Oregon’s troubled timber industry, loosing money due to the collapsing housing market and declining timber prices.
“If these companies are forced to harvest when prices are low, or [...]
Oregon drops in state environmental ranking
A biennial ranking conducted by Oregon League of Conservation Voters showed a 12 percentage point decrease in the Senate and a nine percentage point drop in the House on their 2009 environmental scorecard from their 2007 report. 2007’s ranking gave 12 Oregon legislatures a 100 percent eco-friendly rating, while 2009’s only grants the honorable title [...]
Secretary of state introduces social media networks
Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown unveiled her new blog, along with a reconstructed official agency webpage this morning. This effort will mark the first state agency attempt to have a extensive social media presence, a progressive and innovative step for Oregon.
“I am extremely excited to launch this blog as part of our Social Media [...]
Hoyle, Dennis, Orton the options for vacant House seat
Chris Edwards’ replacement in the state House of Representatives will be one of three candidates: Val Hoyle, Carol Horne Dennis and Steve Orton.
The three were named by the Lane County Commission Monday, and will be questioned Sept. 22.
Hoyle has chaired the county Democratic Party and served on the staff of State Sen. Floyd Prozanski. Dennis [...]
Former Gov. Kitzhaber to run in 2010 election
Oregon’s 1995-2003 governor, Democrat John Kitzhaber, announced his intent to run in the upcoming 2010 race today. “I am running for governor because we need to fundamentally change how we engage with one another to solve our shared problems,” Kitzhaber wrote in the letter explaining his decision.
Kitzhaber, formerly a physician , currently serves as the [...]
Veteran legislator Carter to become director of state Human Services
Portland legislator Margaret Carter announced her resignation from the state Senate and her intent to become deputy director of Human Service Programs for the state today. Elected to a House seat in 1984, Carter is the second most senior member of Oregon legislature, as well as the first black woman to be elected to the [...]
