Senate Democrats today discussed their proposal to increase funding for veterans beyond what is currently proposed in the president's inadequate budget. The budget proposed by Senate Democrats keeps promises to America's veterans by dedicating $3.5 billion more than the Bush budget allots, the Senate Democratic Communications Center said.    Walter Reed Army Medical CenterDemocrats are stepping up to support those who sacrifice the most as the Bush administration neglects America's veterans, the senators said. They pointed to ... [full story]

As the eighteenth anniversary of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill approaches on Saturday, March 24, World Wildlife Fund and Shipping Safety Partnership (SSP) issued a call to Alaska's leaders and the U.S. Coast Guard to take immediate action to address gaps in shipping safety reform in the North Pacific, specifically, along the Great Circle Route. The Exxon Valdez spilled more than 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound.   Cleanup of the Exxon ... [full story]

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today regarding yesterday afternoon's passage of the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act, H.R. 1227, which addresses the housing needs of the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This legislation is the first of several bills that the House will soon consider to deal with the unmet needs of the people of the Gulf Coast.   Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi "House Democrats are delivering on our promise to bring ... [full story]

The federal courts yesterday asked Congress for enough funding to cover basic operating costs in Fiscal Year 2008, while assuring both Houses that the federal Judiciary is doing its part to contain costs and enhance productivity.  Judge Julia Gibbons, chair of the Judicial Conference Budget Committee, and Administrative Office Director James C. Duff appeared before both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government on March 21. "The Judiciary recognizes that ... [full story]

12 Whistleblower Crew Members to Receive $437,500 Each for Reporting Violations WASHINGTON – Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. (OSG) pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday in federal court to pay $27 million dollars for violations in Boston, Portland, Maine, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Wilmington, N.C., announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew J. McKeown, U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan for the District of Massachusetts, and U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Timothy Sullivan.  In addition to the ... [full story]

Bend aircraft manufacturer expects lay offs to last four- to six-weeks; Announces new CEO and four key senior management executives Following on the heels of a March 8th announcement that Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation was permanently letting go 10 percent of its workforce, the company today announced a “temporary workforce alignment” that will lay off an additional 185 employees for an expected four- to six-week period.  In a senior management shakeup designed to “position the company ... [full story]

Legislation will provide protection from discrimination, includes religious exemption; Senate Bill 2 now moves to the House for consideration SALEM- The Oregon Senate on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 2, legislation that provides protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Under current law, individuals can be denied employment, housing and public services based on their sexual orientation. Senate Bill 2 will provide the same protection that has long been provided to other groups that have faced ... [full story]

Faculty at the largest public university system in America on Wednesday voted to strike over a bitter salary standoff that has professors blasting recent executive pay hikes while bemoaning instructor compensation that they contend is too meager. California State University plans to begin rolling two-day strikes next month which will start on each campus on different dates. No specific dates have been scheduled. Ninety-four percent of voting faculty on 23 campuses authorized a strike unless ... [full story]

Tonight, 29 fourth-grade students from Juniper Elementary School will make their most recent state history project available for the world to see. During a 6 p.m. Open House for parents, friends and community members, students will launch their Oregon Virtual Museum on the World Wide Web at http://www.oregonvirtualmuseum.com  The online museum project gives the usual state history lesson a new, 21st century twist with the introduction of technology tools including cameras, computers and website development.“To collect ... [full story]