Sockeye Blog

February 22, 2012
The Amazing Bizarro Adventures of Whisnant and Wand
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There are at least a couple of Republicans in the Oregon House who think they’re really clever. And they’re counting on their local media to let them fool their constituents into thinking they’re on the side of struggling families.

Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Foreclosure Central)For weeks, Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Foreclosure Central) has been using his position as the co-chair of the House Consumer Protection Committee to block any movement on bills that would protect homeowners from the foreclosure abuses of big banks.

Hailing from Central Oregon, the epicenter of the state’s foreclosure crisis, you’d think Rep. Whisnant would feel the pain of struggling homeowners, but instead he’s remained steadfast in his opposition to these basic consumer protection bills.

He’s reportedly spent weeks getting angry emails from his constituents about his cold, cold heart, and even the Oregonian editorial board called him out for refusing to budge on what is basically the biggest economic issue facing our state.

Whisnant killed the House versions of these bills outright, but when the Senate sent him two similar bills (SB 1552 and SB 1564) with a broad bipartisan majority, he decided to pull a fast one: Instead of killing these bills again, he and Rep. Matt Wand let the banking industry just up and rewrite them.

There are at least a couple of Republicans in the Oregon House who think they’re really clever. And they’re counting on their local media to let them fool their constituents into thinking they’re on the side of struggling families.

Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Foreclosure Central)For weeks, Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Foreclosure Central) has been using his position as the co-chair of the House Consumer Protection Committee to block any movement on bills that would protect homeowners from the foreclosure abuses of big banks.

Hailing from Central Oregon, the epicenter of the state’s foreclosure crisis, you’d think Rep. Whisnant would feel the pain of struggling homeowners, but instead he’s remained steadfast in his opposition to these basic consumer protection bills.

He’s reportedly spent weeks getting angry emails from his constituents about his cold, cold heart, and even the Oregonian editorial board called him out for refusing to budge on what is basically the biggest economic issue facing our state.

Whisnant killed the House versions of these bills outright, but when the Senate sent him two similar bills (SB 1552 and SB 1564) with a broad bipartisan majority, he decided to pull a fast one: Instead of killing these bills again, he and Rep. Matt Wand let the banking industry just up and rewrite them.

It’s a pretty classic bait and switch—they’re trying to replace the bills with the lobby’s wish list. Not only are they killing any new protections for homeowners, but they’re also rolling back the Attorney General’s existing enforcement authority.

But here’s where it gets really, really clever. Whisnant and Wand have now styled themselves as bold consumer protectors (look out Elizabeth Warren!). Here, read the title from their joint press release:

“REPUBLICANS OFFER FORECLOSURE SOLUTION TO ASSIST DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS
Amendment Expands Homeowners Assistance Including Mediation with Dedicated Funds.”

Then, Whisnant’s local TV news station, Bend’s KTVZ, published an article that is an exact copy of his press release—literally word for word—but with the even more ludicrous title: “Whisnant Works to Save Foreclosure Aid Bill.”

For its article, KTVZ cited “KTVZ.com news sources.”

Actually, here’s what the amendments do:

1. Repeal the Attorney General’s authority to go after banks that engage in abusive mortgage servicing practices.

2. Eliminate the requirement that banks meet with homeowners in mediation to at least try to find a solution before foreclosing

3. Retroactively validate the controversial MERS system, which banks created to avoid recording sales with counties and has led to numerous lawsuits

I’ve gotta hand it to Whisnant, Wand, and their fellow House Republicans—it takes a certain kind of chutzpah to pull this kind of bait and switch, especially when your districts are filled with so many families facing foreclosure.

This is how far through the looking glass we are: Even the Oregonian editorial board has come out swinging against the GOP’s efforts to kill these bills.

Here’s what they said this morning: “If this Legislature comes up empty on foreclosure reform, it will be one of the great failures of the February session, one that will follow lawmakers wherever they go this election year.“

--Update: KTVZ updated their site with a much fairer story, but you can see the original version here.

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February 22, 2012
Day of Action
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Earlier this week, more than 1,000 people rallied at the state capitol to protect funding for schools, services for seniors and people with disabilities, environmental protections, and jobs.

The message was simple: "Legislators, listen up!"

What, specifically, inspired these individuals to come out in such strong force, despite the chill and rain? We'll let them tell you about their concerns in their own words. Check out our video below:

Earlier this week, more than 1,000 people rallied at the state capitol to protect funding for schools, services for seniors and people with disabilities, environmental protections, and jobs.

The message was simple: "Legislators, listen up!"

What, specifically, inspired these individuals to come out in such strong force, despite the chill and rain? We'll let them tell you about their concerns in their own words. Check out our video below:

Day of Action from Our Oregon on Vimeo.

For more on the rally, enjoy our short slideshow on flick. Follow the link or click through below to see some of our pictures from the day.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Special thanks to Meg Krugel, Aimee Wison, and Erin Whitlock for their help collecting footage on Monday!

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February 22, 2012
Today's Oregon News: February 22, 2012
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It's a rainy Wednesday. The Oregonian Editorial Board has once again weighed in with strong words against Oregon House GOP leaders' efforts to block foreclosure protections for struggling homeowners, saying "If this Legislature comes up empty on foreclosure reform, it will be one of the great failures of the February session, one that will follow lawmakers wherever they go this election year."

Meanwhile, Bend TV station KTVZ published an article that is literally a word-for-word reprint of the Republican's press release on the foreclosure bills, citing "KTVZ.com news sources."

College students are standing up against rising tuition and declining state support. Tomorrow, OPB's Think Out Loud program will be dedicated to the legislative session: http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/

Foreclosures

EDITORIAL: Dying for help on the House
Oregonian
"The foreclosure legislation that swept through the Senate is replaced by an amended bill that doesn't meet the needs of distressed homeowners. Thousands of Oregonians battling to keep their homes have something in common with the foreclosure reforms tangled in the Legislature: They, too, are seeing their last days tick away in the House. It's frustrating to see foreclosure reform, one of Oregon's greatest public policy needs, wrapped up in politics and amendments, and seemingly going nowhere fast in a Legislature set to expire in a week."

BLOG: When it comes to foreclosure reform, the legislator from Sunriver is clueless and out of touch
BlueOregon
"Unreal. It seems that Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver) is the guy standing in the way of meaningful reform on foreclosures. As the O's Elliott Njus reports, Whisnant wants to water down a bill that passed through the Senate with broad bipartisan support."

Whisnant works to save foreclosure aid bill
KTVZ
"Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver) and Rep. Matt Wand (R-Troutdale) briefed House and Senate leaders Monday on an amendment to pending foreclosure legislation that would dedicate funds from the recent bank settlement agreement to provide direct assistance for Oregonians. 'Our amendment to SB 1552 expands homeowner assistance to include counseling and mediation services by using the Oregon Housing and Community Services agency to distribute dedicated funds from the recently announced bank settlement agreement,' said. Whisnant, Co-Chair of the House General Government and Consumer Protection Committee."

Higher education

Oregon college students call for an end to rising tuition, declining state support
Oregonian
"Oregon college students lobbied lawmakers in Salem and rallied on the campuses of Portland State and Eastern Oregon universities Tuesday against the increasingly painful price of a college degree. 'Investing in education is investing in our future,' said Adam Rahmlow, 24,  a junior and PSU student body president, during an afternoon rally on the campus park blocks. 'So why did the Legislature last year hold back money from higher education?' Faced with poor job prospects in a sputtering economy and rising debt, more Oregon students are questioning whether higher education remains a viable option. Two decades ago, they paid a fourth of the cost of their instruction and the state covered the rest. Today, students bear 61 percent of the cost."

It's a rainy Wednesday. The Oregonian Editorial Board has once again weighed in with strong words against Oregon House GOP leaders' efforts to block foreclosure protections for struggling homeowners, saying "If this Legislature comes up empty on foreclosure reform, it will be one of the great failures of the February session, one that will follow lawmakers wherever they go this election year."

Meanwhile, Bend TV station KTVZ published an article that is literally a word-for-word reprint of the Republican's press release on the foreclosure bills, citing "KTVZ.com news sources."

College students are standing up against rising tuition and declining state support. Tomorrow, OPB's Think Out Loud program will be dedicated to the legislative session: http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/

Foreclosures

EDITORIAL: Dying for help on the House
Oregonian
"The foreclosure legislation that swept through the Senate is replaced by an amended bill that doesn't meet the needs of distressed homeowners. Thousands of Oregonians battling to keep their homes have something in common with the foreclosure reforms tangled in the Legislature: They, too, are seeing their last days tick away in the House. It's frustrating to see foreclosure reform, one of Oregon's greatest public policy needs, wrapped up in politics and amendments, and seemingly going nowhere fast in a Legislature set to expire in a week."

BLOG: When it comes to foreclosure reform, the legislator from Sunriver is clueless and out of touch
BlueOregon
"Unreal. It seems that Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver) is the guy standing in the way of meaningful reform on foreclosures. As the O's Elliott Njus reports, Whisnant wants to water down a bill that passed through the Senate with broad bipartisan support."

Whisnant works to save foreclosure aid bill
KTVZ
"Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver) and Rep. Matt Wand (R-Troutdale) briefed House and Senate leaders Monday on an amendment to pending foreclosure legislation that would dedicate funds from the recent bank settlement agreement to provide direct assistance for Oregonians. 'Our amendment to SB 1552 expands homeowner assistance to include counseling and mediation services by using the Oregon Housing and Community Services agency to distribute dedicated funds from the recently announced bank settlement agreement,' said. Whisnant, Co-Chair of the House General Government and Consumer Protection Committee."

Higher education

Oregon college students call for an end to rising tuition, declining state support
Oregonian
"Oregon college students lobbied lawmakers in Salem and rallied on the campuses of Portland State and Eastern Oregon universities Tuesday against the increasingly painful price of a college degree. 'Investing in education is investing in our future,' said Adam Rahmlow, 24,  a junior and PSU student body president, during an afternoon rally on the campus park blocks. 'So why did the Legislature last year hold back money from higher education?' Faced with poor job prospects in a sputtering economy and rising debt, more Oregon students are questioning whether higher education remains a viable option. Two decades ago, they paid a fourth of the cost of their instruction and the state covered the rest. Today, students bear 61 percent of the cost."

With rising college costs, students fear higher ed out of reach
KATU
"The cost of college continues to climb and, according to the Oregon Student Association, community colleges have raised tuition rates 15 percent in the last five years. And students at Oregon’s seven state universities are paying 75 percent more than their peers paid eight years ago. The average cost of tuition and fees for Oregon students is more than $7,600. Add in other expenses such as housing, food and books, and the cost to attend a state university is more than $20,000 a year."

An unusual "pledge" from the Oregon Student Association
Statesman Journal
"Just before 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Capitol galleria, college students organized by the Oregon Student Association recited this pledge to the cadence of the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag: 'I pledge allegiance to the flag/ of the mighty state of Oregon/and to our colleges, for which we stand/one system, with shrinking budgets/with millions in debt and unemployment for all. No investment? No advancement!' The recitation took place just before the 1 p.m. start of legislative committees, many of which meet in hearing rooms adjacent to the first-floor galleria."

Other headlines

OSPIRG examines tax credits, sees little benefit
Willamette Week
"Approving tax credits is a little bit like continuing to drink after you know you've had enough—it seems like a good idea at the time but can be hard to justify in the cold light of sobriety. OSPIRG (the Oregon Public Interest Research Group) took a look a four tax-credit programs lawmakers have green-lighted in recent years and that will cost taxpayers $300 million in 2011-13. Below is a summary of what the credits yielded, according to OSPIRG's report. "BETC" refers to the Business Energy Tax Credit."

Murmurs: ODOT backlash and Schaufler unbowed
Willamette Week
"WW reported recently about the Oregon Department of Transportation program that has given Union Pacific—with billions in profits—state subsidies of $24.7 million to fix its own track under the lottery-funded ConnectOregon program (“Gravy Train,” WW, Feb. 8, 2012). Turns out it was news to legislators, many of whom were angered to learn that scarce state dollars were cushioning the rail giant. A half dozen House Democrats are now pushing for reforms: limited loans, not handouts, to for-profit rail companies. No word yet if the changes will come to a vote in the February session."

Employers could not discriminate against the unemployed under bill
Oregonian
"A bill in a House committee today would prohibit employers from advertising job openings only to people who currently have jobs. What? We had to scratch our heads on that one, too. But apparently, discrimination against the unemployed is a concern. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1548 last week. It states simply that employers and their agents cannot limit the unemployed from applying for a job or tell them they won't be considered. A violation carries a $1,000 fine."

Forecast: Funds for hospital cloudy
Register Guard
"As the monthlong 2012 legislative session enters the home stretch, the fate of continued construction funding for the proposed new state psychiatric hospital in Junction City remains unclear. To keep the project moving through next June and the 174-bed hospital on track to open in early 2015, lawmakers this session need to allocate $29 million in general fund-backed bonds, according to project administrator Jodie Jones. If lawmakers are to approve some or all of that, the effort probably would originate in the capital construction subcommittee of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, the Legislature’s budgeting arm."

Learning with less: As tests grow in importance, do students improve?
OPB News
"Oregon's governor is pushing a bill this legislative session that could put even greater emphasis on graduation rates and test scores. Some education advocates say schools are already focusing too much on tests, in response to shrinking resources. With that in mind, OPB's Rob Manning checked in with teachers and students as they recover from first semester finals. In this installment of our 'Learning with Less' series, he reports on the intersection of school budget cuts and high expectations in Forest Grove."

Marine reserves bill heads to Governor Kitzhaber's desk
OPB News
"A bill that creates three new marine reserves off the Oregon coast is on its way to the governor's desk. The Oregon House of Representatives voted 57-2 to pass the bill and ban fishing in a total of about 3 percent of the state's ocean. Senate Bill 1510 restricts fishing in three areas: at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, and Cape Perpetua, on the north and central Oregon coast. Marine reserves are totally closed to fishing.  Adjoining protected areas will ban certain methods of fishing."

Final Oregon congressional results show nearly 52 percent turnout as Bonamici wins by 30,008 votes
Oregonian
"The official results for Oregon's special congressional election shows that turnout was just under 52 percent, which was lower than in recent statewide special elections. In January of 2010, 62 percent of voters cast ballots on two tax measures.  In November of 2007, 59 percent voted on ballot measures dealing with cigarette taxes and property rights. The final results of the 1st Congressional District race showed that Democrat Suzanne Bonamici defeated Republican Rob Cornilles by 30,008 votes, which is a margin of just over 14 percentage points."

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February 17, 2012
The Bright Side of Life!
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Let's face it, the news today can be downright depressing. It's important to remember that things aren't all bad--in fact, there are some really great things happening around us all the time. Introducing, The Bright Side of Life.

Let's face it, the news today can be downright depressing. It's important to remember that things aren't all bad--in fact, there are some really great things happening around us all the time. Introducing, The Bright Side of Life.

Happy Friday! Here are a few stories we found that brightened up the OO office throughout the week.

Yet another display of the power of social media inspiring and assisting the masses to achieve their goals: LeVar Burton gets control of @ReadingRainbow twitter feed!

We're normally in the office during Ellen, so we may be late to the game. But have you been following Sophia Grace and Rosie? These girls are too cute! And check out when they went to the Grammys.

Well, we've made it to the future, where we we can all be "amphibious jet men." Enjoy this (very strange, yet very real) infomercial:

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February 16, 2012
Today's Oregon News: February 16, 2012
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It's Thursday! Details of the Governor's counter-proposal on budget cuts have emerged this morning. The co-chairs of the budget writing committee have been described as "skeptical."

The Register Guard reports on signs of economic recovery in the state, and the Oregon Center for Public Policy looks at Oregon's economic growth compared to states with no income taxes. In case you missed it, the New York Times chimes in about the growing influence of ALEC (a corporate lobbying entity) on state legislatures.

RADIO: Otto Schell on KPOJ
KPOJ
Oregon PTA's Otto Schell was on AM620 KPOJ this morning to talk about Monday's Day of Action for a Strong Oregon rally. More on the event can be found here.

Legislature

Tap reserves to prevent prison closures, other cuts, Gov. John Kitzhaber asks Oregon budget writers
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber is asking the Legislature to tap into the Oregon's dwindling reserve accounts to avoid closing prisons and cutting services he thinks would harm needy families and children.  Kitzhaber released details of his budget proposals this morning. He wants to spend $13 million from reserves to prevent closure of a Salem-area minimum security prison and other cuts to the corrections budget that would have put hundreds of inmates in temporary beds. The extra money also would avoid further cuts to a children's mental health program, reductions in welfare payments and a cut to Early Head Start."

Gov. John Kitzhaber offers alternative budget ideas to skeptical Oregon lawmakers
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber has knocked a legislative budget deal off course, saying he doesn't agree with directives to jettison close to 300 middle managers and public affairs positions from state agencies and to close a Salem-area prison. The governor offered an alternative that avoids large-scale layoffs and closes no prisons. He suggested a host of potential sources of money to make the budget balance, including tapping into Oregon's reserve funds or reducing some college financial aid and cutting more money out of public schools."

Governor proposes cuts to balance state budget, but prisons and schools not affected
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber released his counterproposal today to rebalance the two-year state budget, tapping reserves to avert closure of a Salem prison and offering different cuts in agency middle-management and front-line positions. His proposal was in response to the Legislature’s chief budget writers, who released a plan Feb. 1 that calls for closure of Santiam Correctional Institution and cutting $25 million in middle-management and public-affairs positions. Kitzhaber had already signaled Wednesday, as had some key legislators, that he opposed a plan to close multiple prisons."

It's Thursday! Details of the Governor's counter-proposal on budget cuts have emerged this morning. The co-chairs of the budget writing committee have been described as "skeptical."

The Register Guard reports on signs of economic recovery in the state, and the Oregon Center for Public Policy looks at Oregon's economic growth compared to states with no income taxes. In case you missed it, the New York Times chimes in about the growing influence of ALEC (a corporate lobbying entity) on state legislatures.

RADIO: Otto Schell on KPOJ
KPOJ
Oregon PTA's Otto Schell was on AM620 KPOJ this morning to talk about Monday's Day of Action for a Strong Oregon rally. More on the event can be found here.

Legislature

Tap reserves to prevent prison closures, other cuts, Gov. John Kitzhaber asks Oregon budget writers
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber is asking the Legislature to tap into the Oregon's dwindling reserve accounts to avoid closing prisons and cutting services he thinks would harm needy families and children.  Kitzhaber released details of his budget proposals this morning. He wants to spend $13 million from reserves to prevent closure of a Salem-area minimum security prison and other cuts to the corrections budget that would have put hundreds of inmates in temporary beds. The extra money also would avoid further cuts to a children's mental health program, reductions in welfare payments and a cut to Early Head Start."

Gov. John Kitzhaber offers alternative budget ideas to skeptical Oregon lawmakers
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber has knocked a legislative budget deal off course, saying he doesn't agree with directives to jettison close to 300 middle managers and public affairs positions from state agencies and to close a Salem-area prison. The governor offered an alternative that avoids large-scale layoffs and closes no prisons. He suggested a host of potential sources of money to make the budget balance, including tapping into Oregon's reserve funds or reducing some college financial aid and cutting more money out of public schools."

Governor proposes cuts to balance state budget, but prisons and schools not affected
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber released his counterproposal today to rebalance the two-year state budget, tapping reserves to avert closure of a Salem prison and offering different cuts in agency middle-management and front-line positions. His proposal was in response to the Legislature’s chief budget writers, who released a plan Feb. 1 that calls for closure of Santiam Correctional Institution and cutting $25 million in middle-management and public-affairs positions. Kitzhaber had already signaled Wednesday, as had some key legislators, that he opposed a plan to close multiple prisons."

Oregon House OKs bill targeting job-offer bias
KTVZ
"The Oregon Senate approved legislation Wednesday that would make Oregon the second state in the nation to prohibit discrimination against the unemployed in job announcements. With Oregon’s long-term unemployment rate stubbornly high, Senate Bill 1548 makes sure that applicants can’t be prohibited from applying for a job opening solely because they do not currently have a job, according to a news release from the Senate Majority Office. 'The passage of SB 1548 bans the practice of telling unemployed Oregonians they cannot apply for jobs that they desperately need,' said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), chief sponsor of the bill."

Senate Republicans' bill to abolish state agencies fails to move
Oregonian
"Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Hillsboro, led a caucus charge today to get out of committee a bill that would create a new committee to oversee the end of state agencies."

OPINION: Paper mills in peril: Powerful forces sink plan to save Oregon jobs
Barbara Dudley, Guest Opinion, Oregonian
"The mantra of this legislative session has been "jobs, jobs, jobs." In the Capitol, one sees pins on lapels of Republicans and Democrats, lobbyists and legislators alike that simply say "JOBS." And yet a simple bill, House Bill 4142, aimed at protecting not just jobs, but well-paid green jobs, was killed this week by surprisingly virulent opposition from global corporations, including the notorious Koch Industries, financiers of right-wing super PACs."

Other Headlines

BLOG: High income taxes accompany stronger state economies
Chuck Sheketoff, Blue Oregon
"Pop quiz: If you compare Oregon’s economic growth from 2001 to 2010 to that of the nine states in the country that levy no personal income tax, how well did the Beaver State perform? Answer: Oregon topped them all."

Business climate expected to improve
Register Guard
"Most economic forecasters are predicting moderate economic growth in the United States this year, but with the threat that financial turmoil in Europe will ripple over to this country, economist Bill Conerly offered this advice to business and community leaders: Take the stance of a baseball player, ready to charge ahead and steal second base, or to dive back to first base, depending on the signs."

BLOG: Emily's List endorses Ellen Rosenblum for Attorney General and Kate Brown for Secretary of State in Oregon
Emily's List
"Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, announced its endorsement of Ellen Rosenblum and Kate Brown for statewide office in Oregon. 'We are excited to endorse two extraordinary women for statewide office in Oregon today,' said Jonathan Parker, Political Director of EMILY’s List. 'Coming off of Suzanne Bonamici’s inspiring special election victory in Oregon’s 1st Congressional District last month, Ellen Rosenblum and Kate Brown are the voices Oregon needs to keep up the momentum for strong pro-choice Democratic women.'"

Merkley: Election spending out of control
OPB News
"Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley says spending by the so-called super PACs is out of control this election season. Speaking on OPB's "Think Out Loud," the Democrat championed a proposed constitutional amendment that now has the backing of 22 Senators. It would give Congress the power to regulate the raising and spending of campaign funds. Merkley said, 'The Bill of Rights is about the rights of the people. It's not about those who are governing a financial organization to be able to commandeer the assets of that organization on behalf of their personal views.'"

In Case You Missed It

EDITORIAL: The big money behind state laws
New York Times
"It is no coincidence that so many state legislatures have spent the last year taking the same destructive actions: making it harder for minorities and other groups that support Democrats to vote, obstructing health care reform, weakening environmental regulations and breaking the spines of public- and private-sector unions. All of these efforts are being backed — in some cases, orchestrated — by a little-known conservative organization financed by millions of corporate dollars. The American Legislative Exchange Council was founded in 1973 by the right-wing activist Paul Weyrich; its big funders include Exxon Mobil, the Olin and Scaife families and foundations tied to Koch Industries. Many of the largest corporations are represented on its board."

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February 16, 2012
Today's Oregon News: February 15, 2012
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It's Wednesday! The Tax Foundation is out with another annual look at tax rankings across the country; as usual, Oregon is about in the middle of the pack, but for corporate taxes and business climate, the state ranks 13th. The East Oregonian editorial board used these figures over the weekend to debunk what they called "the inaccurately spewed political rhetoric that describes Oregon’s business climate as unfriendly."

Oregon's new Corrections official has warned that budget cuts could mean the closures of multiple prisons, but Gov. Kitzhaber and budget writers have dismissed that warning. The Oregonian looks at what legislative bills are dead, and which still have a chance.

EDITORIAL: Welcome business
East Oregonian
"The welcome sign is out in Oregon for business. And that’s certainly true in Eastern Oregon. We believe our region is a good place to open a business. A recent study by the non-partisan Tax Foundation is a strong argument against the inaccurately spewed political rhetoric that describes Oregon’s business climate as unfriendly. Now we’re not being a Pollyanna. There certainly are areas of rules and regulations that could improve our state’s business environment — especially for small businesses. Still, there’s good news for Oregon in the study."

Oregon's 2012 legislature almost at the halfway mark: What bills are dead, which have a chance?
Oregonian
"There comes a time in every legislative session when hearts and flowers are replaced by dead bills and retaliation threats. For Oregon's 2012 Legislature, that turned out to be Valentine's Day. To have a chance of surviving the hyper-fast February session, most bills had to get a first committee vote by the close of business Tuesday. That meant, by 5 p.m., there was a lot of blood on the Capitol floors. Symbolically speaking, of course."

Gene Whisnant rolls with the banks
The Source Weekly
"In the foreclosure game, they call it the “spin cycle.” The name is apt: Just like the spin cycle of a washing machine wrings water out of laundry, the foreclosure spin cycle wrings the last drops of cash out of the hapless borrower who gets caught in it. A homeowner gets trapped in the spin cycle when he’s facing foreclosure and tries to renegotiate his mortgage to avoid it. Even while he’s dealing in good faith and making payments regularly, the bank continues to move ahead with foreclosure – and worst of all, the homeowner doesn’t even know it. By the time the bank gets through spinning him he’s lost thousands of dollars – and the house."

Oregon falls mostly in the middle of the pack for national tax rankings
Oregonian
"When it comes to taxes, personal and corporate, where does Oregon rank nationally? About middlin' according to a new report by the Tax Foundation, which tracks such matters. Oregon's 'tax freedom day' -- the date by which average wage-earners have made enough to pay their tax bills -- falls on April 8, ranking it 23rd earliest among the 50 states. As for overall state and local tax burden, Oregon falls smack dab in the middle at 25th. For obvious reasons, Oregon ranks highest on personal income taxes and lowest on sales taxes. It ranks relatively low for corporate taxes. In overall 'business climate' rankings, Oregon comes in 13th, according to the report."

Oregon budget writers, Gov. John Kitzhaber dismiss suggestion of multiple prison closures
Oregonian
"A memo from Oregon's new prison director suggesting she might have to close 'multiple' prisons, stuff inmates into other nearly full prisons and cut as many as 400 workers is being dismissed as 'alarmist' by a key state budget writer and all but disavowed by Gov. John Kitzhaber. Colette Peters, who recently stepped in for former prison director Max Williams, wrote to corrections staff last week that the latest state budget revision includes an additional $17.2 million cut to her department. 'Our proposal to address the $17.2 million includes multiple prison deactivations,' Peters said in the Feb. 10 memo. She went on to say, 'If the institutions need to be deactivated, 350 to 400 positions would be laid off.'"

It's Wednesday! The Tax Foundation is out with another annual look at tax rankings across the country; as usual, Oregon is about in the middle of the pack, but for corporate taxes and business climate, the state ranks 13th. The East Oregonian editorial board used these figures over the weekend to debunk what they called "the inaccurately spewed political rhetoric that describes Oregon’s business climate as unfriendly."

Oregon's new Corrections official has warned that budget cuts could mean the closures of multiple prisons, but Gov. Kitzhaber and budget writers have dismissed that warning. The Oregonian looks at what legislative bills are dead, and which still have a chance.

EDITORIAL: Welcome business
East Oregonian
"The welcome sign is out in Oregon for business. And that’s certainly true in Eastern Oregon. We believe our region is a good place to open a business. A recent study by the non-partisan Tax Foundation is a strong argument against the inaccurately spewed political rhetoric that describes Oregon’s business climate as unfriendly. Now we’re not being a Pollyanna. There certainly are areas of rules and regulations that could improve our state’s business environment — especially for small businesses. Still, there’s good news for Oregon in the study."

Oregon's 2012 legislature almost at the halfway mark: What bills are dead, which have a chance?
Oregonian
"There comes a time in every legislative session when hearts and flowers are replaced by dead bills and retaliation threats. For Oregon's 2012 Legislature, that turned out to be Valentine's Day. To have a chance of surviving the hyper-fast February session, most bills had to get a first committee vote by the close of business Tuesday. That meant, by 5 p.m., there was a lot of blood on the Capitol floors. Symbolically speaking, of course."

Gene Whisnant rolls with the banks
The Source Weekly
"In the foreclosure game, they call it the “spin cycle.” The name is apt: Just like the spin cycle of a washing machine wrings water out of laundry, the foreclosure spin cycle wrings the last drops of cash out of the hapless borrower who gets caught in it. A homeowner gets trapped in the spin cycle when he’s facing foreclosure and tries to renegotiate his mortgage to avoid it. Even while he’s dealing in good faith and making payments regularly, the bank continues to move ahead with foreclosure – and worst of all, the homeowner doesn’t even know it. By the time the bank gets through spinning him he’s lost thousands of dollars – and the house."

Oregon falls mostly in the middle of the pack for national tax rankings
Oregonian
"When it comes to taxes, personal and corporate, where does Oregon rank nationally? About middlin' according to a new report by the Tax Foundation, which tracks such matters. Oregon's 'tax freedom day' -- the date by which average wage-earners have made enough to pay their tax bills -- falls on April 8, ranking it 23rd earliest among the 50 states. As for overall state and local tax burden, Oregon falls smack dab in the middle at 25th. For obvious reasons, Oregon ranks highest on personal income taxes and lowest on sales taxes. It ranks relatively low for corporate taxes. In overall 'business climate' rankings, Oregon comes in 13th, according to the report."

Oregon budget writers, Gov. John Kitzhaber dismiss suggestion of multiple prison closures
Oregonian
"A memo from Oregon's new prison director suggesting she might have to close 'multiple' prisons, stuff inmates into other nearly full prisons and cut as many as 400 workers is being dismissed as 'alarmist' by a key state budget writer and all but disavowed by Gov. John Kitzhaber. Colette Peters, who recently stepped in for former prison director Max Williams, wrote to corrections staff last week that the latest state budget revision includes an additional $17.2 million cut to her department. 'Our proposal to address the $17.2 million includes multiple prison deactivations,' Peters said in the Feb. 10 memo. She went on to say, 'If the institutions need to be deactivated, 350 to 400 positions would be laid off.'"

Oregon planning prison closures, layoffs
Statesman Journal
"The Oregon Department of Corrections is considering closing multiple prisons in the state’s 14,000-inmate, 14-prison corrections system, going far beyond previously disclosed plans to shut down one Salem facility. Corrections leaders have drawn up budget-cutting plans that call for scrapping 1,500 to 1,800 beds and laying off 350 to 400 employees. New corrections director Colette Peters outlined the potential cuts — totaling $17.2 million — in an e-mail sent to all DOC employees late Friday. Peters said 'multiple' prison closures are being considered, but 'the department has not identified which institutions or what level of institutions will be deactivated.'"

New Oregon prisons chief threatens 'multiple' closures
OPB News
"The new head of the Oregon Department of Corrections says she's preparing to close multiple prisons in order to address a funding shortfall. Colette Peters announced the possible actions in an email to agency staff. It's not clear from the memo which prisons would close. But Peters says up to 1,800 inmates would be affected in the effort to address a $17 million budget hole. As many as 400 staff at the prisons would be laid off. The inmates wouldn't be released — they'd be transferred to other state prisons, where they'd be housed in, 'temporary or emergency beds.'"

Oregon Senate passes health reform with a switch by Betsy Johnson
Oregonian
"A bill considered the foundation of Oregon's health reform jumped a major hurdle Tuesday in the state Senate, bypassing Republican efforts to attach a limit on medical lawsuit awards. Key to the vote was a switch by Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose. She had joined with Republicans last week who said they wouldn't support any reform without limits on lawsuit awards against health care providers. Citing concerns over the limits' constitutionality, she said on the Senate floor that she would instead support a task force to study malpractice caps before next year."

Senate backs health care change
Register Guard
"The Oregon Senate approved a key bill on Tuesday in a package of changes to the state’s health care system, despite last-ditch attempts by Republicans to alter or delay the legislation. Senate Bill 1580 would set up 'community care organizations' or CCOs — teams of doctors, nurses, home care workers, dentists, psychiatrists and other specialists from a single geographic area — to better coordinate the treatment of about 600,000 members of the Oregon Health Plan with a focus on reducing costs by cutting down on duplicated treatments and emergency care."

Murmurs: Doctoring campaign contributions
Willamette Week
"Bad medicine: Doctor groups wanting to avoid Medicaid cuts have raised $2.3 million in campaign contributions to influence health-care reform. As first reported on wweek.com, a document accounting for the campaign cash is circulating in the Capitol—in part, people in the know say, to show the lawmakers accepting the docs’ cash that they’re being watched. 'We see a lot of money flowing down here,' says one veteran lawmaker, 'but this is obscene.' The groups have given $1.2 million since 2009, but another $1.1 million waits to be handed out. The list shows Gov. John Kitzhaber has received $455,000 since 2009, most of it in his 2010 race against Republican Chris Dudley."

Oregon House campaigners gear up their opposition research
Oregonian
"Future PAC, the campaign arm of the House Democratic Caucus, just cut a $12,000 check to an opposition researcher, Ohlsen Research, out of Washington, D.C.  And the month before,  they shipped off another $12,000 to Ohlsen. Does that mean Republicans have to be particularly wary about what they do during the current session? Melissa Unger, who heads Future PAC, says the spending doesn't have anything to do with the February session, although it's safe to say that legislative votes from this session could well wind up as campaign fodder."

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February 15, 2012
A Day of Action
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You're invited to a DAY OF ACTION: February 20, 2012!

Don’t miss this exciting rally to fight for a strong middle class! Join thousands of educators, parents, health care advocates, and other community members at the State Capitol for a day to stand up against harmful budget cuts that threaten Oregon’s way of life. We believe there’s a better way to fix Oregon’s problems.

You're invited to a DAY OF ACTION: February 20, 2012!

Don’t miss this exciting rally to fight for a strong middle class! Join thousands of educators, parents, health care advocates, and other community members at the State Capitol for a day to stand up against harmful budget cuts that threaten Oregon’s way of life. We believe there’s a better way to fix Oregon’s problems.

Joining us as the emcee for the event is none other than Carl Woflson, host of AM620 KPOJ's Morning Show. From 6-9am Monday through Friday, Carl is THE voice of progressive Oregon.

STRONG FAMILIES. STRONG OREGON.

Tell your friends, family and colleagues why it’s important to attend the Day of Action for a Strong Oregon. Better yet, attend the event together!

Day of Action for a Strong Oregon

Where: Oregon Capitol, Salem

Date: February 20, 2012

Time: Rally 12-1pm

Sign up below!

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February 13, 2012
Today's Oregon News: February 13, 2011
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It's Monday! A group of business owners and business leaders have called on the legislature to limit the ongoing budget cuts to schools and infrastructure, and instead to reinvest in the things businesses and families need. They propose several steps to raise revenue from large corporations and higher-income households.

The Portland area has added 1,600 manufacturing jobs, but state budget cuts could mean losses of State Police and hospital jobs, among others.

OPINION: Oregon Legislature: As state budget recovers, invest in infrastructure
John Calhoun, Anna Geller, et al, Oregonian
"Last week, the Legislature got the news that Oregon's budget has stayed relatively flat, a relief to those who feared even deeper budget cuts. But despite that relatively good news, the fact is that Oregon's budget is built on hundreds of millions of dollars in funding cuts to schools and the basic services that businesses and families need to succeed. As business leaders, we believe that reduced funding for education and other basic infrastructure is detrimental to the business community. We need solutions that will jump-start our economy, keep Oregon a competitive location for businesses and start rebuilding the middle class. We need to invest in infrastructure."

Portland adds 1,600 manufacturing jobs
Portland Business Journal
"Portland's manufacturing sector gained ground in 2011. According to an On Numbers analysis compiled by the Business Journal, the city gained 1,600 manufacturing jobs in 2011, bringing total sector employment to 106,700. That was a large enough gain to land Portland No. 19 for job gains among the nation's 100 largest metro areas."

Legislature

Prospects excellent that governor's plan for "achievment compacts" will become law
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber's main 2012 education package appears highly likely to pass the Legislature this month, given the spectrum of education advocacy groups and three big business alliances lined up behind it."

COLUMN: Mandatory reporting: Pass "Penn State Bill" on child abuse, then keep talking
Susan Nielsen, Oregonian
"Here's the bizarre thing about child-abuse reporting: The majority of adults who've witnessed suspected child abuse say they decided to remain silent. They see child abuse as a terrible social ill, yet they're reluctant to act, according to national research on abuse reporting. When confronted with a specific situation involving an actual child, more than two-thirds of adults don't pick up the phone."

It's Monday! A group of business owners and business leaders have called on the legislature to limit the ongoing budget cuts to schools and infrastructure, and instead to reinvest in the things businesses and families need. They propose several steps to raise revenue from large corporations and higher-income households.

The Portland area has added 1,600 manufacturing jobs, but state budget cuts could mean losses of State Police and hospital jobs, among others.

OPINION: Oregon Legislature: As state budget recovers, invest in infrastructure
John Calhoun, Anna Geller, et al, Oregonian
"Last week, the Legislature got the news that Oregon's budget has stayed relatively flat, a relief to those who feared even deeper budget cuts. But despite that relatively good news, the fact is that Oregon's budget is built on hundreds of millions of dollars in funding cuts to schools and the basic services that businesses and families need to succeed. As business leaders, we believe that reduced funding for education and other basic infrastructure is detrimental to the business community. We need solutions that will jump-start our economy, keep Oregon a competitive location for businesses and start rebuilding the middle class. We need to invest in infrastructure."

Portland adds 1,600 manufacturing jobs
Portland Business Journal
"Portland's manufacturing sector gained ground in 2011. According to an On Numbers analysis compiled by the Business Journal, the city gained 1,600 manufacturing jobs in 2011, bringing total sector employment to 106,700. That was a large enough gain to land Portland No. 19 for job gains among the nation's 100 largest metro areas."

Legislature

Prospects excellent that governor's plan for "achievment compacts" will become law
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber's main 2012 education package appears highly likely to pass the Legislature this month, given the spectrum of education advocacy groups and three big business alliances lined up behind it."

COLUMN: Mandatory reporting: Pass "Penn State Bill" on child abuse, then keep talking
Susan Nielsen, Oregonian
"Here's the bizarre thing about child-abuse reporting: The majority of adults who've witnessed suspected child abuse say they decided to remain silent. They see child abuse as a terrible social ill, yet they're reluctant to act, according to national research on abuse reporting. When confronted with a specific situation involving an actual child, more than two-thirds of adults don't pick up the phone."

Morse budget reform bill likely dead
Albany Democrat Herald
"State Sen. Frank Morse, R-Albany, says that unless something changes, his proposal for budget stability is dead for this legislative session. The Senate Revenue Committee heard testimony in favor of the proposal last week but did not act on it."

State police regional drug teams face budget axe
KVAL, Associated Press
"Lawmen statewide fear a proposal to cut more than two dozen Oregon State Police detectives from regional drug task forces will pull desperately needed resources from their razor-thin budgets. The stated mission of the drug task forces is to "disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations," but in small, rural areas, the detectives do much more."

Budget cuts to affect medical field in Oregon
KEZI
"Some of the 60,000 jobs at Oregon hospitals could start to disappear due to looming budget cuts."

Exploring the death of House Bill 4033
Statesman Journal
"The legislative death of House Bill 4033 disappointed a bunch of public retirees last week. The bill would have made private the names of retirees receiving pension payments through the Oregon Public Employees Benefit Board."

OPINION: Legislative session: Housing, homelessness issues should be on agenda
Israel Bayer, Janet Byrd, and Bill Hall, Oregonian
"...Now is not the time for us to relax, and neither can our lawmakers. The list of bad news continues to be long: Our neighbors, friends, schoolchildren and grandparents still need our help. The ripple effects of the economic devastation have touched all of us personally and all of the systems we have created as a community. Our schools, our nonprofit service providers, our churches and faith institutions are struggling to meet the needs they see. Homelessness is at a peak, rental housing is in short supply, rents are too high for average workers to afford, and foreclosures are ravaging communities from the coast to the eastern border."

Two Oregon lawmakers with big political differences find middle ground on state budget
Oregonian
"One is prone to emotional speeches and says he ran for office to pump more money into public schools. The other maintains an unflappable demeanor and says a visit to the White House during the Ronald Reagan years ignited an inner fire about the virtue of shrinking government."

Other Headlines

OPINION: Keep the tap closed on Nestle
Julia Degraw, Oregonian
"For nearly three years, environmental and consumer advocates have been fighting to protect the Columbia River Gorge from exploitation by the multinational water bottler Nestlé. Since Nestlé can't get its hands on the gorge's spring water directly, a complicated water exchange between the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the city of Cascade Locks must happen first. Applications that must be processed before that exchange takes place could be approved as soon as March."

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February 8, 2012
Today's Oregon News: February 8, 2012
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It's Wednesday. The state Revenue Forecast was released this morning, revised down $35 million from the previous forecast. Economic indicators, however, point to strong growth for the state. "We've seen broad-based improvement across a wide range of industries and occupations," said state economist Mark McMullen.

Revenue Forecast

BLOG: February Revenue Forecast: A sigh of relief, but legislators need to choose the right priorities
Our Oregon Sockeye Blog
"Today’s revenue forecast will give Oregon’s legislators the information they need to make decisions about how to protect our schools and the critical services that low-income seniors and struggling families depend on. ... Despite the news today, we’re still living with consequences of years of budget cuts that have taken their toll on Oregon’s students, seniors, and middle-class families. K12 students are forced to learn in dangerously overcrowded classrooms, long-term senior care has been slashed, and the safety net for the unemployed has been cut."

Oregon state economic forecast: Tax revenues down another $35 million
Oregonian
"SALEM - Oregon lawmakers learned moments ago they may have $35 million less than they expected to spend on state programs in the current budget."

Oregon's economic forecast projects $35 million drop
Statesman Journal
"Oregon’s projected amounts from taxes and lottery proceeds dropped another $35 million in today’s forecast, but compared to the previous two drops totaling $300 million, the news was greeted with relief."

State government revenues face additional small squeeze, forecast says
Register Guard
"...However, the latest decrease is smaller than some legislators predicted earlier this month and could be comfortably covered by reserves set aside in a preliminary budget framework that was agreed upon last week."

Economy

Oregon economy rebounds sharply in December
Oregonian
"Oregon’s economic activity rebounded sharply in December, as personal-income growth increased, according to a monthly measure. The separate University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators also rose — to its highest level since July. Temp hiring increased during December in Oregon. So did trucking activity. And initial unemployment claims fell. UO economist Tim Duy, who assembles the numbers, issued a report Tuesday showing that his monthly index had fallen just 2.6 percent, annualized, compared with six months ago. That brings the decrease above the 2.75 percent decline that has been linked to Oregon recessions in the past."

It's Wednesday. The state Revenue Forecast was released this morning, revised down $35 million from the previous forecast. Economic indicators, however, point to strong growth for the state. "We've seen broad-based improvement across a wide range of industries and occupations," said state economist Mark McMullen.

Revenue Forecast

BLOG: February Revenue Forecast: A sigh of relief, but legislators need to choose the right priorities
Our Oregon Sockeye Blog
"Today’s revenue forecast will give Oregon’s legislators the information they need to make decisions about how to protect our schools and the critical services that low-income seniors and struggling families depend on. ... Despite the news today, we’re still living with consequences of years of budget cuts that have taken their toll on Oregon’s students, seniors, and middle-class families. K12 students are forced to learn in dangerously overcrowded classrooms, long-term senior care has been slashed, and the safety net for the unemployed has been cut."

Oregon state economic forecast: Tax revenues down another $35 million
Oregonian
"SALEM - Oregon lawmakers learned moments ago they may have $35 million less than they expected to spend on state programs in the current budget."

Oregon's economic forecast projects $35 million drop
Statesman Journal
"Oregon’s projected amounts from taxes and lottery proceeds dropped another $35 million in today’s forecast, but compared to the previous two drops totaling $300 million, the news was greeted with relief."

State government revenues face additional small squeeze, forecast says
Register Guard
"...However, the latest decrease is smaller than some legislators predicted earlier this month and could be comfortably covered by reserves set aside in a preliminary budget framework that was agreed upon last week."

Economy

Oregon economy rebounds sharply in December
Oregonian
"Oregon’s economic activity rebounded sharply in December, as personal-income growth increased, according to a monthly measure. The separate University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators also rose — to its highest level since July. Temp hiring increased during December in Oregon. So did trucking activity. And initial unemployment claims fell. UO economist Tim Duy, who assembles the numbers, issued a report Tuesday showing that his monthly index had fallen just 2.6 percent, annualized, compared with six months ago. That brings the decrease above the 2.75 percent decline that has been linked to Oregon recessions in the past."

Economic outlook brightens
Register Guard
"The outlook for Oregon’s economy this year has gotten a bit brighter, University of Oregon economist Tim Duy said Tuesday. Duy assembles a monthly forecast projecting economic conditions for the following three to six months. Last fall, he began worrying about what his UO Index of Economic Indicators was showing: A pattern that normally precedes a recession in Oregon. But an end of the year upturn in the indicators has relieved him of much of that worry, he said. 'Economic activity rebounded in Oregon in the final month of 2011,' he said. 'Improvement was widespread,' Duy added. 'None of the components (of the index) deteriorated during the month.' Although residential construction remains weak, there are signs of a gradually improving state economy, he said."

State forecast says Oregon economy is recovering slowly
Register Guard
"Oregon’s economy is showing encouraging signs and the state’s revenue forecast calls for slow growth over the next two fiscal years, according to the state Economic Forecast released today. “Although the pace of job creation remains glacial, improvements have been broad-based across a wide range of industries and occupations,” the forecast said."

Other Legislative Headlines

Senator of Fortune
Willamette Week
"State Sen. Brian Boquist (R-Dallas) may be the most adventurous lawmaker in Salem. He’s described his best-known business, International Charter Inc. of Oregon, as a humanitarian organization, ferrying relief supplies in war-torn countries from Liberia to Pakistan. But journalistic accounts of ICI missions in West Africa in the late 1990s describe a paramilitary force of well-armed Russian and American veterans who serve as military proxies in areas deemed too dangerous for uniformed soldiers. A federal lawsuit has raised new questions about how Boquist—a 53-year-old U.S. Army veteran—makes and spends his money."

BLOG: OR House: Matt Wingard blocks child abuse bill
BlueOregon
"I guess this shouldn't come as a huge surprise given his history, but sources are telling me that Rep. Matt Wingard (R-Wilsonville) will not allow Oregon House Bill 4016, which expands the list of mandatory reporters for child abuse, for a vote in the House Education Committee. HB 4016 would apply only to those volunteers who had direct care and control of children outside the supervision of an otherwise mandatory reporter. The bill is supported by the Oregon District Attorney's Association and the Oregon Community College Association. Coalition of Oregon School Administrators representative Chuck Bennett also spoke favorably of the bill in committee last week. Stand For Children is expected to endorse the legislation as well."

Murmurs: Super Pacs-a-plenty
Willamette Week
"Katie Riley, a Democrat making her second run at the House District 29 seat, currently held by Rep. Katie Eyre (R-Hillsboro), learned an important lesson this week: If you are going to misrepresent your opponent’s record, don’t do it in a voicemail. Riley recently left a message for a potential contributor claiming to be 'the only pro-choice candidate running in this district.' That’s news to her rival for the Democratic nomination, Ben Unger, who sat with Riley at a Planned Parenthood lunch last week and has worked closely with that group and NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon for the past five years as a political organizer. Riley says her claim was a “mistake” and she knows Unger is pro-choice."

Gov. John Kitzhaber, legislative leaders to launch effort to reform Oregon public safety system
Oregonian
"Gov. John Kitzhaber and legislative leaders are about to try to cage state prison spending, an 800-pound public policy gorilla threatening to stomp through the state budget. How to collar the beast is far from decided. Kitzhaber and the leaders expect to appoint a new group next month to hunt ways to reform Oregon's public safety system. The state Corrections Department already eats up nearly one-tenth of the state general fund, and spending is forecast to grow an estimated $600 million over the next decade to house a growing inmate population."

Audit: Oregon schools fund overdrawn by $76 million
KTVZ
"An Oregon state agency improperly distributed $76 million from an account that boosts school funding, an oversight that is likely to decrease money available for schools in future years, auditors said in a report released Tuesday. Auditors from the secretary of state's office blamed accounting procedures at the Department of State Lands for the error. The money came from the Common School Fund, which was created at statehood to collect proceeds from the management of state-owned land. The State Land Board distributes investment earnings to schools based on student population, and the Oregon Constitution requires that the principal be protected."

Schools are again a big-ticket item in Salem
KTVZ
"The biggest item in the 2012 Oregon Legislature is education. School funding takes up $8 billion of a $14 billion state budget. It sounds like a lot, but that's less than the state used to spend on schools. One Central Oregon lawmaker is looking to reverse that trend. Bend state Rep. Jason Conger's No. 1 priority this session: The School Savings Act. He says the bill will make available millions of dollars for school districts to improve your child's education. Conger wants to take education reform back into the classroom. His proposal promises to save $200 million a year for schools."

Bills may prevent some foreclosures
Statesman Journal
"Homeowners faced with foreclosure while seeking a loan modification expressed frustration to lawmakers Monday about a process they called a 'spin cycle.' The dual-track process allows mortgage lenders to move ahead with foreclosure even when the homeowner is trying to modify their loan. 'It starts you down a path that has one conclusion, and that's foreclosure,' Bend resident Tim Collette told the Senate General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection Committee."

Other

Activists protest foreclosure evictions
OPB News
"A group of activists rallied in Portland's Lownsdale Square Tuesday protesting evictions of people facing foreclosure. Angus Maguire is with the non-profit advocacy group We Are Oregon. He says he has a message for people facing foreclosure: don't move out. 'If you're getting threatening letters from banks, don't move out. If you've been given an auction date, don't move out. If you stay in your home, you create opportunities to save your home,' Maguire says."

COLUMN: A congresswoman, and a message, from the 1st
Oregonian
"When Suzanne Bonamici was sworn in Tuesday as the newest member of the House of Representatives, Stephanie Schriock saw a prospect extending well beyond the 1st Congressional District of Oregon. 'It really is a springboard for 2012,' declared Schriock, president of Emily's List, the national Democratic women's political action committee that strongly supported Bonamici. 'Folks are seeing that around the country.' What Emily's List saw, in an election night survey by the Portland pollsters Grove Insight, was that Bonamici's larger-than-expected 14-point victory was driven by a 20-point margin among women voters. The survey also found that 'for the Bonamici crowd, tax fairness and Social Security/Medicare were the most important issues guiding their decision-making process in this race.'"

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February 8, 2012
February Revenue Forecast: A sigh of relief, but Legislators need to choose the right priorities
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Today’s revenue forecast will give Oregon’s legislators the information they need to make decisions about how to protect our schools and the critical services that low-income seniors and struggling families depend on.

With budgets already slashed to the bare minimum, the relatively good news from the forecast will make it easier for legislators to protect the priorities that Oregonians share. The existing budget framework was written to accommodate a bigger drop in the forecast than the one we saw today.

Today’s revenue forecast will give Oregon’s legislators the information they need to make decisions about how to protect our schools and the critical services that low-income seniors and struggling families depend on.

With budgets already slashed to the bare minimum, the relatively good news from the forecast will make it easier for legislators to protect the priorities that Oregonians share. The existing budget framework was written to accommodate a bigger drop in the forecast than the one we saw today.

For many months, advocates for schools and basic human services have worked with legislators to find savings in state operations. These savings mean that frontline services for those who need them most will be preserved.

Despite the news today, we’re still living with consequences of years of budget cuts that have taken their toll on Oregon’s students, seniors, and middle-class families. K12 students are forced to learn in dangerously overcrowded classrooms, long-term senior care has been slashed, and the safety net for the unemployed has been cut.

The budget decisions made by elected leaders should reflect Oregonians’ priorities. Legislators should work to preserve the very things that make the state a place where businesses and families can thrive.

Today’s revenue forecast means that we can breathe a small sigh of relief, but it’s now time for lawmakers to invest in what matters: Oregon’s schools, critical services, and support for middle-class families.

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