State Politics
Kulongoski Vetos University Budget Cuts
Governor Ted Kulongoski announced this week that the $13.4 million of general funds meant to be subtracted from public state university funding would be restored, returning it to the university system. In addition, the governor decided to give $6.3 million of funding to Oregon’s courts.
Plans of his veto were announced last month, prior to the [...]
Bill passed granting all Oregon children health care
This morning, Oregon became one of the 12 states to grant health insurance to every child, non-dependent on their family’s income or qualification for the Oregon Health Plan. Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed a bill at 10:30 at a Portland children’s hospital, which will provide health care for an estimated 80,000 children statewide. The plan will [...]
Oregon College Savings Funds Selects New Manager
The Oregon College Savings plan has changed its investment manager to TIAA-CREF after a Thursday meeting with state officials. This long-awaited switch from the previous manager, Oppenheimer Funds, is a relief for the state in an economically challenging time.
Treasurer Ben Westlund said in a Thursday press release that the firm’s low fees, flexibility in designing [...]
Kulongoski to be on campus Wednesday
The governor is going to be on campus Wednesday to sign seven environmental bills. He’ll be on the north side of the Lillis Hall Atrium starting at 10:30 a.m. University officials said he chose Lillis because he wanted to sign the bills in a green building.
Here are summaries of the bills Kulongoski will sign. Note: [...]
Obama rejects WOPR
President Obama canceled the Western Oregon Plan Revision yesterday, a northwest logging plan rezoning 2.6 million acres of federal public forests in Oregon managed by the BLM formed during the Bush administration.
The WOPR has been a constant source of upheaval in local environmental, political and biologist groups, due to the BLM’s violation of the Endangered [...]
State applies for high-speed rail grant
Oregon is seeking a way to cut carbon emissions and decrease traveling time between Eugene and Portland by installing a high-speed rail between the two major state cities. Gov. Kulongoski announced today that the state has applied for a $2.1 billion federal stimulus bill, to be taken out of President Obama’s economy recovery bill, which [...]
Kulongoski signs bill to restore Klamath River basin
Gov. Kulongoski has signed a bill financing the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. Although initially approved by the Senate in February,the bill was passed by Kulongoski today. This bill will lead to the largest river and salmon habitat restoration effort in U.S. history.
“Signing this bill into law is a critical step in ensuring that all of [...]
2009 State Stimulus Plan Results
Oregon House of Representative Speaker Dave Hunt spoke yesterday on the current status of the state’s unemployment rate. Hunt affirmed that the unemployment rate has remained steady for the last month, with help from the “Go Oregon!” stimulus plan.
According to Oregon House Republican’s 2009 session outline, around 241,000 Oregonians are currently unemployed, 98,000 of [...]
