Kitz to call special session next week on Nike

by NW Spotlight

The Oregonian is reporting that Gov. Kitzhaber is going to be calling a special session of the Oregon Legislature next week. Gov. Kitzhaber will discuss the special session in a news conference at 11:00 AM today.

Willamette Week is reporting that the purpose of the special session is “to weigh in on an economic development opportunity that involves thousands of jobs in Washington County.”

WW update at 10:48 AM: Gov. Kitzhaber “will push for statutory changes that will promote job retention and creation at Nike.”

The Oregonian confirmed the Nike story at 11:12AM: the goal of the special sesssion is “changing Oregon law to enable a major employment expansion by Nike”

UPDATE: Special session timed to get decision while Republicans still hold 30-30 tie in house?

Willamette Week’s report on Kitzhaber’s announcement said “Kitzhaber told reporters that Nike approached him ‘a month or a month and a-half ago.’ Coincidentally or not, that is when Democrats regained control of the Oregon House,” and “The session will call back a Senate in which Democrats hold a 16-to-14 advantage but Democrats and Republicans share control of the House with 30 members each.”

Oregon’s 2013 regular session (77th Legislative Assembly) will convene in only a few months, in February 2013, but the legislature will start meeting before then – about a month from now, starting January 14^th, to swear-in newly elected officials, elect legislative leaders, adopt rules, organize and appoint committees, and begin introducing bills.