Oregon Democrat Law Makers List Their Priorities For Upcoming Legislative Session

Of Course Not a Word On LNG Speculation And Siting!

Issue priorities for Senate and House Democrats, who are the majorities in both chambers of the Oregon Legislature, which will meet Feb. 4-29 in a test drive for annual sessions. Issues are listed in no particular order, and some are subject to money available in the 2007-09 budget:
STATE POLICE: Potential additional hiring of troopers to restore around-the-clock patrol coverage on major state highways. The 2007 session set aside money for 100, short of the 139 estimated to be needed.
CHILDREN: Potential additional hiring of protective workers to ensure the safety of foster children and others under state supervision.
SENIORS: Unspecified additional money for Oregon Project Independence and other alternatives to nursing home care for seniors.
FORECLOSURES: New legal protections for homeowners caught up in the national mortgage-lending crisis. A bill passed the Senate but died in the House in the 2007 session.
NATURAL RESOURCES: Potential additional money for a state task force reviewing Oregon's land-use laws; the 2007 session reduced but did not end support. Expansion of water drawn from the Columbia River for Eastern Oregon communities and farming; the House passed but the Senate shelved a similar bill in the 2007 session.
PERFORMANCE: Lawmakers are wrestling with how to enhance their oversight of state agency operations.