Oregon

House passes two key bills to expand coverage and control health care costs.

June 8, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today marks a momentous day for Oregonians. With House Bill 2116 and House Bill 2009 this state is among a few others to take meaningful action to address the fundamental problem with our health care system: it costs too much and covers too few.

“House Bill 2116 represents one of the most significant measures before the legislature this session. Three years ago I made it a priority to provide every child in Oregon with access to affordable health care, and with the support of the Oregon House of Representatives we are closer than ever before.    » read more »

Legislation affects veterans, establishes continuing care bill of rights and enhances mandatory reporting in education

June 2, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today signed 24 bills into law, including a law to better protect a disabled veteran or service officer from being taken advantage (House Bill 3020), a continuing care “bill of rights” (House Bill 2138) and mandatory reporting for Teacher Standards and Practices investigators (House Bill 2063).

All list of the bills signed today with a summary is below. For the full list of all the bills the Governor has signed this session, visit: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/2009_Action.shtml.

House Bills:    » read more »

Oregon is in the middle of a record year for film and video - best in over 15 years

June 1, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today met with film and television producers, representing three companies currently employing hundreds of Oregonians, to highlight the state’s thriving film industry. In the first six months of 2009, productions have invested more than $40 million in Oregon, representing the largest investment in any full year in the past 15 years.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- Newport, OR – Wave energy can help lead Oregon and America into the clean energy economy.

That was one of the conclusions reached at a roundtable conversation organized by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley. Merkley assembled researchers, stakeholders and industry experts for a wave energy roundtable at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. They discussed how Oregon can help pioneer a clean energy economy.

"Wave energy has serious potential to become a huge clean energy source for the Oregon coast and help boost the local economy,” Merkley said. “But it has to be developed in partnership with local communities, and in a manner that is in harmony with the fishing industry and other coastal eco-systems.”    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- Washington D.C. – Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Wednesday that Albina Equity Fund in Portland is receiving $10 million in New Markets Tax Credits as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These tax credits will help create jobs and spur economic growth by allowing Albina to provide capital for commercial and retail development in low-income communities.

The tax credits awarded to Albina are part of $1.5 billion in New Markets Tax Credits being distributed as a result of the Recovery Act. The New Markets Tax Credit Program , which was established by Congress in December 2000, enables taxpayers to receive federal income tax credits for investing in Community Development Entities, which make qualified investments in low-income communities.    » read more »

Stimulus weatherization funding expected to add 900 jobs statewide

May 27, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader today highlighted the economic impact and job creation potential of $38.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for weatherizing low-income homes throughout the state.

“These dollars will deliver an immediate and long-term benefit for communities across the state,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “Not only will jobs be created for the short-term, but energy costs for Oregonians will be reduced in the long-term in addition to strengthening Oregon’s green building infrastructure.”    » read more »

Greater Protections For Every Oregonian And Our Environment

May 27, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed 68 bills into law, representing many ways the state will better regulate those who care for children, protect seniors when confronting guardianship proceedings and prevent invasive species from entering ecosystems throughout Oregon.

A summary of some of those bills is below. For the full list, visit: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/2009_Action.shtml

Children and Families    » read more »

The Lane Transit District will receive approximately $2.9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to improve bus transit in Eugene-Springfield

May 26, 2009 -- (Eugene) - Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, Senator Ron Wyden, and Congressman DeFazio toured the Lane Transit District’s Gateway EmX project, which received $2.9 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to enhance rapid bus transit in Lane County.    » read more »

Flags to be lowered until noon on Monday, May 25, 2009, in tribute of Memorial Day

May 22, 2009 -- (Salem) - Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Monday, May 25, 2009, in memory of all Oregonians who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.    » read more »

Governor commends legislature for bipartisan bill that creates thousands of family-wage jobs

May 22, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today the legislature took important action on a bill that is critical to Oregon’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity.

“House Bill 2001, the Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009, represents the most important action the legislature can take this session to create thousands of jobs, improve our infrastructure for freight, commerce and goods, and advance our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the state.

“This bill will break the cycle of funding transportation projects sporadically and put Oregon on a path of annual investments, which is critical to continued job creation and a strong economy.    » read more »

18 Oregon Communities are awarded stimulus funds for safe drinking water project, creating 500 jobs across the state

May 20, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced that the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) awarded federal recovery funds to 18 Oregon community water systems totaling $27.8 million to help construct and improve to drinking water systems across the state.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today’s employment rate gives us some hope that our economy is no longer in free fall, and that the efforts by President Obama to provide a parachute for our economy are starting to deliver results.

“While the unemployment rate has remained flat for the last month, there are still thousands of Oregonians looking for work to support themselves and their families. To those Oregonians seeking employment, let me assure you creating jobs is my number one priority.    » read more »

Governor also calls for the Oregon Senate to Pass HB 2186, a low carbon fuel standard for Oregon.

May 19, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Kulongoski today applauded the announcement by the Obama Administration that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will adopt federal tailpipe standards based on those first adopted by California in 2004, and joined by Oregon and several other states in 2005.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released a statement today following the announcement by the Oregon Employment Department that Oregon’s unemployment rate has remained nearly unchanged at 12 percent for the month of April.    » read more »

May 8, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today the Oregon House of Representatives took a bold step forward by adopting policies that will help Oregonians reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Dave Hunt and Representative Ben Cannon, House Bill 2186 will deliver immediate and significant greenhouse gas reductions across the state. This bill establishes a low carbon fuel standard for Oregon that will increase investment and create jobs in low carbon technologies and also significantly reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere from gasoline and diesel fuel.    » read more »