Oregon legislature

Albany to draft pot dispensary ban

Written December 11th, 2013 by Hasso Hering

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The Albany City Council jumped back into the medical marijuana issue Wednesday, asking its staff to draft changes in the city land use law that would ban dispensaries within the city limits. Councilor Bessie Johnson, who said several weeks ago she did not want medical marijuana dispensaries in Albany, prompted the council action, which was not on […]

Posted in: News
Tags: Albany City Council, dispensaries, land use law, medica marijuana, Oregon legislature

How would bridge toll work?

Written November 8th, 2013 by Hasso Hering

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The Oregon legislature may be asked in February to approve a plan to build the Columbia River Crossing in Portland without Washington state’s help. There are many complicated parts to this issue, and for downstate motorists who cross into Washington only occasionally, the question of tolling is of particular interest.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: bridge tolls, Columbia River Crossing, Oregon legislature

Columbia River Crossing: Too much

Written October 14th, 2013 by

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There’s a move afoot to call the legislature into yet another special session — the second this month — to approve a plan to build the Columbia River Crossing. This could be a very costly move. The Washington legislature has refused to help pay for the new bridge, so now it would be up to […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Columbia River Crossing, Oregon legislature

Special session: Not that grand

Written October 2nd, 2013 by

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It’s hard to see why some called what the legislature did during the special session a “grand bargain.” When you look at the result of the tax and spending bills it passed on Wednesday, it’s not all that grand. As a label, “minuscule” would be more apt. Lawmakers increased some taxes, lowered others, reduced future […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: cigarette tax, income tax, Oregon legislature, PERS, public pensions, special session

Fast and legal (but not here)

Written October 1st, 2013 by

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The last time I was moving — being moved, rather — at more than 100 miles an hour was Monday in seat 4D of a Canadair regional jet on the runway at the Eugene Airport. A day before, it was on a German autobahn in the back seat of a BMW driven by my nephew. We were […]

Posted in: Commentary, Videos
Tags: autobahn, I-5, Oregon legislature, speed limit, traffic safety

Rep. Olson’s plan: He’ll file again

Written September 23rd, 2013 by

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Here’s a bit of news from the political front. In an email on another subject, I asked Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany: “And by the way, are you going for another term in the House in ’14 or do you have other plans?” His answer a few days later, on Sept. 22: “I do plan to […]

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Andy Olson, Betsy Close, Oregon legislature, Sara Gelser

Where’s the fire, Gov?

Written September 23rd, 2013 by

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It’s hard to see the urgency that prompted Gov. John Kitzhaber to call the legislature to Salem for a special session on Sept. 30. The governor says it’s to boost education funding by $140 million “to restore lost school days and provide tuition relief for Oregon students this school year.” But that’s not likely, is […]

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: Governor Kitzhaber, Oregon legislature, pension cuts, special session, tax increases