A task force charged with seeking ways to protect homeowners from construction defects and ensure affordable liability insurance for contractors recently released a report with its findings including 11 recommendations. The Construction Claims Task Force (CCTF), composed of nine members who represent the public, the insurance and construction industries, and the Oregon Department of Energy, studied issues relating to home construction defects and construction insurance. Two state agencies, the Construction Contractors Board and the Department ... [full story]

Salem, OR -– This week the Oregon Public Utility Commission rejected PacifiCorp’s  request to conditionally approve a plan to seek bids to build two coal plants in order to meet growing energy demands.  The Commission found that the company failed to justify the need to acquire the amount and type of energy resources sought. And the company’s proposal was not consistent with its earlier acknowledged resource plan. In the previously approved plan, PacifiCorp presented a preferred ... [full story]

WASHINGTON, DC—This week U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio reintroduced a resolution calling on the president to seek authorization from Congress prior to taking any military action against Iran. DeFazio has been concerned about the issue since early 2005, when various news reports, including a report by Seymour Hersh, who won a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering the My Lai massacre, indicated that the administration was planning military action against Iran.   U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio "When Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was ... [full story]

Council is part of task force committed to reducing underage drinking through support of tough legislative agenda The Distilled Spirits Council commended Attorney General Hardy Myers and the initiatives of the Oregon Underage Drinking Task Force this week following a press conference at the State Capitol. On hand to announce the Task Force's agenda were Attorney General Myers, First Lady Mary Oberst, Representative Phil Barnhart, Representative Tom Butler and Pam Erickson of the Oregon Partnership. ... [full story]

Introduces Bill to Ban Sale or Transfer of Dangerous Items to Intoxicated Individuals SALEM – Rep. Tom Butler (R-Ontario) this week announced the introduction of House Bill 2415 to ban the sale or transfer of guns, explosives and vehicles to visibly intoxicated individuals. The measure also prohibits fuel stations from selling fuel to inebriated customers.   Rep. Tom Butler “There are no penalties for selling these dangerous items to people who shouldn’t have them,” Rep. Butler said. “It’s illegal ... [full story]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leadership of the National Association of Counties (NACo), including Immediate Past President Bill Hansell from Umatilla County, met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office and other members of Congress last week to discuss the association’s legislative priorities (listed below). Special emphasis was placed on reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The 7-year authorization, which provided millions of dollars to thousands of communities across the country  -– especially forest communities ... [full story]

A fistfight at a football party Saturday afternoon left a Canby man dead and a Beaverton man in jail on murder charges, authorities said. Shortly after 5 p.m. January 13, Clackamas County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence at 24580 South China Street in Canby to a report of a bare-knuckle fistfight.  When they arrived, they found several beer cans on the lawn, a broken window, and 36-year old Christopher Grant Lucas of Canby ... [full story]

The Oregon Public Utility Commission cut $49.4 million from Portland General Electric’s (PGE) request to increase rates Friday. The request sought to recover costs for general expenses and for a new power plant.  As a result, customers will see overall rates go up by 1.3%, when rates are fully phased in, instead of the 4.3% PGE had requested.  Customer rates will be adjusted twice. Effective January 14 overall rates will drop by 1.4%.  In early March ... [full story]

Salem Police have released video of an armed robbery that took place Jan. 5 at the Plaid Pantry in northeast Salem, in hopes that someone will recognize the robber whom they believe held up two convenience stores within hours of each other.  In both cases, the suspect matched the same description and was carrying a rifle. The Plaid Pantry at 1504 NE Broadway Street was held up about 2 a.m., and the Circle K at ... [full story]

Governor Kulongoski urges President to consult with governors on strategy In a letter sent Wednesday, Governor Ted Kulongoski expressed his "strong" opposition to the President's proposal to increase troop levels in Iraq as part of his revised strategy. The Governor highlighted that any increase in troops could ultimately impact Oregon's National Guard troops here at home who have already served and the length of deployment for those currently serving overseas.    Governor Kulongoski and Colonel Mike Caldwell talk with ... [full story]

Two Portland-area residents were killed Thursday afternoon on Highway 22 near Mill City when their vehicle was hit by an SUV that slid out of control on black ice, Oregon State Police reported. An off-duty medic came upon the crash scene about 100 miles northwest of Bend and reported the fatalities about 1:30 p.m..  Several Oregon State Police (OSP) units from the Salem Area Command responded to the scene of the two-vehicle accident. Preliminary investigation ... [full story]

Local Association Urges 2007 Legislature to Make Tobacco Control a Public Health Priority after Oregon fails for the 5th year in a rowFor the fifth year in a row, Oregon received a failing grade in tobacco prevention funding, according to the annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control report issued today. The report graded the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in four categories: smokefree air, tobacco taxes, funding for tobacco prevention ... [full story]

National study supports agency's move toward new child safety model A federal report released Tuesday by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) validates the direction the state has been moving to improve child protective services. At the state's request, the National Resource Center for Organizational Improvement provided technical assistance to ODHS to identify opportunities to improve the safety of children in Oregon's child welfare system. "We're pleased that the direction we've been moving is ... [full story]