GOP Committee members question proposal’s scope, sustainability SALEM, OREGON – Republican members of the House Health Care Committee raised questions today regarding the scope and fiscal sustainability of the Governor’s children’s health care and tobacco tax proposal. Reps. Scott Bruun (R-West Linn), Linda Flores (R-Clackamas), Ron Maurer (Rgrants Pass) and Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) addressed their concerns during a joint House-Senate committee meeting with the Governor’s health policy advisors. They made the following observations after ... [full story]

(Salem, Oregon)  Governor Ted Kulongoski Thursday announced the appointment of Acting Superintendent Tim McLain to the position of Superintendent of the Oregon State Police, pending State Senate confirmation. "Deputy Superintendent McLain answered the call in December to serve as Acting Superintendent, and he has carried out that duty with integrity, honor and dedication to the safety of our communities," said Governor Kulongoski. "His knowledge of our state and his nearly 28 years serving Oregonians as ... [full story]

Tatoosh, Meriwether, Ursa and Wiley prepare to fly free Four condors from the Oregon Zoo were recently sent to The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, for preparation leading to release in the wild in Arizona. Among these birds is Tatoosh (No. 367), born in April 2005, the second condor to be hatched in Oregon in more than a century. The others are Meriwether (No. 379), also hatched in 2005, ... [full story]

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) on Thursday issued a proposed order to Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Inc., granting a certificate of need for a 138-bed general acute care hospital to be located in Hillsboro at 19400 N.W. Evergreen Parkway. This 15-acre site is the current location of Kaiser's Sunset Medical Office Building. The capital expenditure for this project is estimated to be $280 million. Project approval is contingent on two conditions: ·         Kaiser must ... [full story]

U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) released the following statement Tuesday evening reacting to the President’s State of the Union Address: “It is very important that the President focused on several key issues that families face every day,” Smith said.  “We need better forms of energy production that won’t strap the family budget, but will power our cars and heat our homes efficiently.  Equally important is the President's emphasis on healthcare.  I am pushing to see ... [full story]

U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio, (D-Oregon) this week responded to President Bush's State of the Union address. Following are DeFazio's remarks regarding Iraq, energy, healthcare, budget, taxes, immigration, military, and social security reform:"American voters sent a clear message for change last November that the president's failed policies on Iraq, the economy, energy policy, and health care, are no longer acceptable. Tonight's speech proves the president was not listening. He offers no substantial changes to the American ... [full story]

Statement of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) in response to President George W. Bush’s State of the Union speech: "At community meetings from Oregon to Maine, two topics dominate: Iraq and health care. I want to work in a bipartisan manner on both issues and I want to keep my door open to the Bush Administration on both of these issues. "Thus far, the President has not convinced me that overstretching our military even further ... [full story]

(SALEM)  Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) has received overwhelming support for HB 2459, the bill to make English Oregon’s official language. Phone calls and e-mails to the Representative have been almost universally positive, providing feedback from all over the state. “I’m getting calls from Pendleton to Medford to Tillamook,” said Representative Nelson. “I’m grateful to hear from so many Oregonians -– and I encourage everyone calling in from outside my legislative district to let their ... [full story]

Kulongoski Urges Legislature to act on his 2007 agenda for energy independence as first step SALEM, OREGON – This week Governor Ted Kulongoski promised to build on his administration’s efforts to combat the causes of global warming in Oregon and neighboring states, and to link those efforts to his energy independence agenda for the development of home grown power sources that are clean, secure and sustainable.  The Governor met with members of three working groups he appointed, ... [full story]

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez on Wednesday announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Pendleton, Oregon.  The investment will help build water, sewer, utility and road infrastructure to serve the Coyote Business Park.  The investment is expected to create 200 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment. “President Bush and I are committed to partnering with communities to promote innovation and competitiveness.  ... [full story]

Two men were uninjured Tuesday afternoon when their plane made an emergency landing in a logged off area about 1/4 mile west of Highway 97 near the junction with Highway 138 south of Chemult, Oregon State Police reportedShortly before 1 p.m. on January 23, a Cessna 172 containing two occupants was enroute from Ashland to Sunriver when it reportedly experienced fuel problems.   Pilot and passenger were uninjured during emergency landing. OSP photo. The pilot, 71-year old ... [full story]

“Bayer must register clinical trials and post study results on a national public registry” The settlement requires the drug manufacturing giant to register its clinical trials on a national website and post the study results.  Registration of clinical studies and timely posting of study results ensures that all material information from clinical trials are made available to doctors and consumers, not just studies with positive outcomes. The judgment admits no law violation. Bayer introduced Baycol, ... [full story]

U.S. Army Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty of Portland, Oregon has been killed in Iraq, the Oregon Military Department announced this week. Sgt. Fennerty, 25, was killed Saturday while conducting combat operations against anti-Iraqi forces in the Al Anbar Provice of Iraq when the M1124 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle he was in was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) or roadside bomb.   U.S. Army Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty of Portland, Oregon was killed in ... [full story]