SALEM- A new joint agreement to save the northern spotted owl population was announced on Friday, amid some frustrations.

The Safe Harbor Agreement is a voluntary program designed to provide incentives for landowners and promote conservation efforts, as agreed upon by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

SALEM- As expected, the Legislative Emergency Board voted to restore $17.1 million in state funding to the Oregon Department of Human Services on Thursday.

In a press release sent out Thursday afternoon, Senate President Courtney, D-Salem, said, “We know it is absolutely the right thing to do to keep serving those who need help the most-especially our senior citizens and children with disabilities.

PORTLAND- Yesterday, Oregon’s Rep. David Wu (D-01) introduced the Urban University Renaissance Act of the 21st Century.

“While we face many challenges in Oregon and around the nation, none is more urgent right now than the recovery of our economy and getting people back to work,” Wu said in a press release.

SALEM – In a meeting at the Q Center Wednesday, June 9, Attorney General John Kroger announced a new confidential means to report hate crimes in Oregon.

Kroger’s spokesman Tony Green said there always had been concerns that many hate crimes weren’t being reported. Members of the community spoke out at a meeting last week, saying many people were uncomfortable or afraid to report hate crimes to local law enforcement. A confidential form has been created that can be submitted to the Oregon Department of Justice.

BY SARAH ROSS
SALEM- Common Sense for Oregon announced Thursday that the conservative group has endorsed Republican candidate Chris Dudley for Governor.
This move comes after Dudley received endorsements from the Oregon Business Association, the Oregon Farm Bureau, and the Oregon Restaurant Association.
“From Day One, Dudley’s message has been spot on,” said Ross Day, Executive Director for [...]

BY SARAH ROSS
SALEM- Governor Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General John Kroger announced Wednesday their intentions to proceed with legal action supporting the recently passed federal health care reform.
“Oregon has been a leader in expanding access to health care while containing costs, and the bill passed by Congress and signed by the President is essential for [...]

BY SARAH ROSS
BEND- Gubernatorial candidate and former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury earned the support of the Bus Project Sunday, winning the group’s straw poll by a 13-point margin over former Governor John Kitzhaber.
The straw poll conducted at the end of the Bus Project’s “Rebooting Democracy” event held in Bend, showed Bradbury winning with 55% [...]

BY SARAH ROSS
SALEM- The legislature ended their 25 day special session Thursday, passing a controversial constitutional amendment calling for annual legislative sessions.
The bill, SJR 41, created heavy controversy in the past few days which were filled with clear divides not only among parties but also among the two legislative bodies. House leaders were arguing for [...]

BY SARAH ROSS
PORTLAND- With the passage of tax Measures 66 and 67 on Tuesday, a concern for business migration and job loss has begun brewing.
One study headed by Oregon Politico’s parent organization, Cascade Policy Institute, found that with the passage of both measures, 8,000 additional taxpayers per year are expected to migrate out-of-state due to [...]

BY SARAH ROSS
SALEM- Since the enforcement of Oregon smoking ban took place in January, business in the state’s previously smoker-friendly locations has dropped.
There is no question that the smoking ban has taken a toll on the state’s businesses but to the degree that the ban or the recession is responsible is still uncertain. Many businesses [...]