Governor’s ultimatum is not the leadership on PERS reform we need

by In the news Tuesday, May 21. 2013

by Sen. Larry George

Salem, OR ­– Senator Larry George (R-Sherwood) issued the following statement yesterday morning after a remonstrance on the Senate floor:

“The Governor’s caustic, partisan press release Thursday evening is a disturbing departure from his private statements and the bi-partisan, collaborative tone over the past several weeks. In a private conversation with the Governor on Wednesday, he stated that his proposal was not an ultimatum to paint Republicans into a corner. He stated his proposal was an initial step to break the log-jam on PERS negotiations. Continue reading →

Posted by at 05:00 | Posted in Gov. Kitzhaber, OR 77th Legislative Session, PERS | Leave a comment

Why Do Transit Officials Lie About Light Rail?

by John A Charles Jr. Monday, May 20. 2013

The transit agency for Vancouver (C-TRAN) is reconsidering its support for the Columbia River Crossing Project, which includes light rail to Vancouver. In a staff report prepared for this week’s C-TRAN board meeting, the following claims are made:

Light rail offers faster service (17 MPH) than bus rapid transit (14.5 MPH);
The extended Yellow MAX line will arrive in Vancouver every 7.5 minutes; and
Light rail will carry 6,100 people over the Columbia River during the peak period.
All of these answers are wrong.

C-TRAN express buses running from various points in Vancouver to Portland city center currently average 31-45 MPH (depending on the route) in the morning peak period. In the afternoon peak they average 20-30 MPH traveling northbound. Continue reading →

Posted by at 05:00 | Posted in Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

2011-13 state revenue forecast ends on a high note

by In the news Saturday, May 18. 2013

by Dan Lucas

Final quarterly revenue forecast is in for 2011-2013 budget cycle – up $174.3 million from June 2011 close of session (COS)

The 8th and final quarterly revenue forecast for the current biennial budget cycle, 2011-13, was released this week. It showed a $174 million favorable change from the June 2011 close of session (COS) forecast. The COS forecast was $15.14 billion and this week’s forecast was $15.31 billion for the General and Lottery funds. Continue reading →

Posted by at 08:32 | Posted in OR 77th Legislative Session, State Budget | 1 Comment

Science, not opinion & fears, should guide coal-train dust assessment

by In the news Friday, May 17. 2013

by Roger O. McClellan

WASHINGTON and Oregon are in the middle of an intense debate about whether to expand facilities to ship coal to Asia.

As a former resident of Washington state and one who has family that lives in the area, I have followed this issue with interest. As a scientist who spent my career in toxicology evaluating human health risks, what I am seeing in this debate concerns me.

What I find most troublesome is how anecdotal evidence and opinions of a handful of people, rather than scientific evidence, are being used in an attempt to sway the public on the export terminals. Continue reading →

Posted by at 05:00 | Posted in Energy, Environment | 31 Comments

President Clueless

by In the news Thursday, May 16. 2013

h/t Townhall.com on Facebook

President Obama is coming under increasing criticism – not just for the increasing number of scandals in his administration but for being clueless about them – for learning about them when we the public learn about them – from the news and not from his own administration! Continue reading →

Posted by at 09:00 | Posted in President Obama | 27 Comments

Latest HOT PERS quotes

by In the news Thursday, May 16. 2013

Oregon House Republican Office

Posted by at 07:30 | Posted in OR 77th Legislative Session, PERS | 2 Comments

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