Oregon

Executive Order gives public health director clear authority to respond as needed

Nov. 5, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today issued Executive Order 09-17 to grant the state’s public health director, Dr. Mel Kohn, additional authority to respond proactively to pandemic H1N1 influenza. By issuing the order now, Governor Kulongoski has provided Dr. Kohn with the ability to implement quickly public health protections provided by state law.

“In order to do all we can to protect the public, I have provided Dr. Kohn with the ability to take additional steps to protect the health of Oregonians,” said Governor Kulongoski. “These measures are not needed now, but should that change, Dr. Kohn can take action without delay.”    » read more »

Nov. 5, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today Congress stood by those hit hardest by the recession, including the 12,000 Oregonians who would otherwise be out of benefits come January. It is a much-needed addition to the extension of state benefits that took effect last month.

“For these Oregonians, the continued benefit brings some peace of mind and can mean the difference between keeping a home and putting food on the table.

“As Governor my focus remains on ensuring Oregon is well-positioned for the long term and working across public and private sector lines to accelerate a recovery that generates jobs and puts people back to work.”

Source: Oregon Governor

Grants for Innovative Projects will Harness Oregon's Resources

October 29, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Continuing efforts to advance alternative energy resources and break our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced nearly $40 million in Recovery Act funding for the exploration and development of geothermal energy technologies in Oregon.

“This funding will literally help to bring Oregon’s geothermal energy potential to the surface,” Wyden said. “It will create and sustain jobs improving alternative energy technology to better tap into Oregon’s unique set of renewable energy resources.”    » read more »

Bill Passed by Senate and House Includes Millions in Oregon Dredging and Alternative Energy Projects

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Working to improve Oregon’s waterways and alternative energy technology capabilities, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is on its way to the President’s desk for signature.

The bill, which includes nearly $200 million in projects for Oregon and the Northwest, has been approved by both the House and the Senate. The bill also includes millions in funding for energy programs – such as $50 million for wave and tidal energy research – that are very important to Oregon.    » read more »

Bill Will Help Families, Put Money Into Economy

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he has co-sponsored legislation to extend assistance to those currently unemployed. The legislation will provide up to an additional twenty weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to Oregonians who have exhausted their benefits by the end of December 2009.

“During these difficult economic times it’s important to ensure that jobless Americans can make ends meet while they’re looking for a fresh start,” said Merkley. “These benefits will help ease the burden on unemployed Oregonians and put money back in their pockets to help stimulate the local economy.”    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today launched a Fiscal Year 2010 work plan for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forests in western Oregon that will add economic certainty for local communities while protecting endangered species.

In addition to a proposed schedule of 62 timber sales under the Northwest Forest Plan, Salazar announced that federal field teams will identify future proposed timber sales with high likelihood of being sold and harvested and a special task force will take a fresh look at forest management issues in Oregon.    » read more »

Governor supports 2010 work plan to provide jobs and revenue for timber counties

Oct. 14, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s announcement by Secretary Salazar for interim management plan of Oregon’s Western Forests, under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, is a good first step, and I am pleased that the Secretary gave this the prompt attention he promised when he recently withdrew the Western Oregon Plan Revision (WOPR).

“While the projects announced today maintain the status quo in terms of the quantity of timber produced, they will provide badly-needed jobs in the woods, in the mills and other forest-related employment. Moreover, these projects, because they are largely thinning projects, will make an important contribution to forest health.    » read more »

Oct. 12, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s employment report is encouraging news. However, full economic recovery will be slow and I believe the state and all levels of government need to continue to be cautious and prudent in their budgeting.

“As Governor my focus remains on creating jobs, retaining jobs and helping those families seeking employment make ends meet during these difficult times.    » read more »

Report shows stimulus funding has helped thousands of Oregonians in every corner of the state including the creation/retention of more than 8000 jobs

Oct. 12, 2009 -- (Salem) – Today as part of the first official report to the Federal government, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) has created and retained more than the equivalent of 8000 full-time jobs in Oregon since it was signed into law in February of this year.

“With this report, I can say with full confidence that the Recovery Act provided Oregon a much needed parachute for what was a free falling economy,” Governor Kulongoski said at an event where he was joined by Oregon companies that are putting people to work because of the Recovery Act.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today Congressman David Wu announced that the federal government has funded nearly $9 million in research projects that he sponsored to support some of Oregon’s diverse agricultural industries, including those producing timber, small fruits and berries, and grass seed.

“During this economic downturn, it is especially important that we continue our federal investment in the vital agricultural segment of our economy and help support our nation’s food system,” said Congressman Wu. “The research we fund today will help farmers across Oregon produce better crops and maintain market competitiveness.”    » read more »

Governor and Attorney General urge Obama Administration to support 9th Circuit Court Decision

Oct. 6, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General John Kroger announced today that they sent letters urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Justice to pursue a legal strategy that supports the Clinton-era Roadless Rule to protect pristine wilderness areas.

“The Roadless Rule provides important protections to special places across our country,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “I hope we can end this cycle of litigation and implement the Clinton Roadless Rule as originally intended and applied nationwide.”    » read more »

Bill Includes Funding for Oregon National Guard Reintegration Program

October 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – The United States Senate last night passed the fiscal year 2010 Department of Defense appropriations bill, which includes over $60 million for Oregon projects. Included at the request of Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, these projects will provide research and development of clean energy technologies, equipment to help ensure military personnel land aircraft safely in severe weather conditions, and updated data and voice communications systems.

The bill also includes funding for the Oregon National Guard Reintegration Program, which helps soldiers transition back to civilian life.    » read more »

Funding for Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota and the U.S. Virgin Islands to create jobs, reduce energy use

October 1, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that nearly $72 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being awarded to 7 states and territories to support energy efficiency and conservation activities.

Under DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.    » read more »

More than $1.7 million will help expand the Oregon Solar Highway Project

Oct. 1, 2009 -- (SALEM) — The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Oregon will receive more than $9.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding to support energy efficiency and conservation activities across the state. This funding is part of the state’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for cities and counties to establish efficiency and conservations projects in their communities.

The EECBG program is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. Under the program, the state will deploy energy-efficiency, conservation and renewable energy projects in the building, institutional, commercial, transportation and public sectors.    » read more »

Violent and property crimes down between 2007-2008

September 14, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today’s FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Data is good news for Oregon.

“Last year Oregon had the largest decrease of any state in our violent crime rate and the eighth largest decrease in the property crime rate – and these declines reached across urban and rural boundaries.

“I appreciate the work of our law enforcement, educators and local leaders who work everyday to help keep our communities safe, and clearly with today’s report, their hard work is delivering results with the lowest violent and property crime rates in nearly four decades.    » read more »