Republicans in the Oregon Senate say they'll fight Gov. John Kitzhaber's proposed overhaul of the Oregon Health Plan unless it includes limits on medical malpractice claims.
Records released by the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System showed that Kitzhaber began collecting a PERS pension of $39,125 a year on July 1, 2006, at the age of 59.
Opponents of a statewide ban on plastic checkout bags said Tuesday they will push for an alternative measure that would promote recycling and prohibit Oregon cities from banning plastic bags.
Senate GOP leader Ted Ferrioli announced Tuesday that he'll seek the recount in Senate District 3, where Democratic incumbent Alan Bates leads Republican Dave Dotterrer by 275 votes out of nearly 49,000 ballots cast.
With voters scared about the economy and sour on incumbents, Oregon Democrats are at risk of losing their supermajority in the state Legislature. Republicans say the political climate favors their candidates and issues.
Going into the session with no environmental agenda of their own, Republicans worked on "damage control." They feel they succeeded on their top priority, though they could not stop a ban on a destination resort.
With just days left until the Legislature adjourns, lawmakers pushed through a $5.8 billion school funding bill, overriding the governor's veto. For nearly two weeks the governor and legislative leaders have been at odds over how to organize the school budget.