OLCV Talk

PHOTO CONTEST

If you read OLCV's last E-bulletin, then you know that OLCV wants your photographs. We will select the best photo for the cover of OLCV's 2009 Legislative Scorecard, published in September.

Do you have photos of your favorite places in the state? Your kids on a riverside trail? Mountain views? Your sweetie playing in tide pools or strolling on a long, deserted beach? Sunset in Eastern Oregon?

We want to see your pics. Better yet, we want to use them. The winner gets the Scorecard cover, and runners up may be used inside the Scorecard, in the e-bulletin, or on our website.

So grab your camera and get out there!

Here are the deets:

Submit digital images only to toby@olcv.org

Please include:

1. specific information about the location the photo was taken (please, Oregon pictures only)
2. First and last names of all the people in the photo, or let us know if you don't know them
3. Name of photographer, as you would like to see it in print for the photo credit

We've extended the deadline! Please submit your photos by August 10.

Send your best shots (including ones that picture friends, family and pets) to Toby at toby@olcv.org. Questions? Email Toby or call 503-224-4011.

Historic Water Bill Heads to Governor

Senators gave Rep. Jefferson Smith a birthday present today (he turned 36, I believe). The Oregon Senate passed HB 3369 on a 20-9 vote, with Republican Senators Morse and Nelson joining the 18-member Democratic caucus in support. Sen. Boquist was excused.

More about the bill, which now heads to the Governor.

House Passes Limits on New Coal Plants, Bill Heads to Governor

Oregon House members passed SB 101 on a 37-21 vote today. The bill, which now heads to the Governor, sets standards for long-term investments in new energy sources, setting significant barriers to new coal plants. (More about the bill)

Representative Cannon carried the bill on the floor. Reps. Berger and Jenson joined 35 Democrats voting aye. All 21 No votes were from Republicans. Reps. Komp and Thatcher were excused.

Senate Passes Emergency Response Fund to Fight Invasive Species

On an 18-11 vote, the Oregon Senate just passed HB 2020, a bill to create an emergency response fund to detect and quickly respond to invasive species outbreaks. (More about the bill). It was the third OCN Priority bill on invasive species to head to the Governor's desk, giving OCN a 3-for-3 record this session on invasives. Congrats to Trout Unlimited and Native Fish Society, who worked on this bill.

Republican Senators Nelson and Starr joined 16 Democrats in voting Yes. Democratic Sen. Betsy Johnson joined 10 Republicans in voting No. Sen. Prozanski was absent.

House Passes Field Burning Bill, Now to Governor!

On a 31-29 vote, the Oregon House passed SB 528, a bill to limit the amount of field burning in Oregon. The bill now heads to the Governor.

Senate Bill 528 would limits on field burning throughout the Willamette Valley, phasing out the practice by 2013 except for 15,000 acres in the Silverton Hills. There is a large body of evidence linking the practice of open field burning of grass seed crops to severe health effects as well as increasing the average particulate pollution by as much as 40% on field burning days.

Congratulations to Rep. Paul Holvey and Sen. Floyd Prozanski, who have worked tirelessly on this issue. All 24 House Republicans voted against the bill, as did Reps. Clem, Komp, Schaufler, VanOrman, and Witt.

Oregon House Votes to Reduce Commitment to Clean Energy

By a 54-6 vote, the Oregon House repassed House Bill 2940 an hour ago.

The bill weakens Oregon's commitment to clean energy by redefining what is "renewable" under Oregon's renewable energy standard passed in 2007. The Standard requires Oregon have 25% new renewable energy by 2025. This bill will reduce that commitment by about 26% by allowing old biomass and waste burning facilities to be counted as renewable facilities and towards the 25% goal.

More about the bill.

Those voting No should be thanked: Reps. Barton, Beyer, Cannon, David Edwards, Greenlick, and Kahl.

Conservation groups now turn our efforts to Governor Kulongoski and asking him to veto the bill.

Senate passes EEAST 27-3 - Hooray for Energy Efficiency!

Senators Kruse, George, Boquist became the only three legislators to vote against Reps. Bailey and Read's excellent energy efficiency EEAST program.

Today the Senate passed the bill, HB 2626, on a 27-3 vote after the House passed it 57-0. It now heads to the Governor for his signature. Read more about the program.

Congrats to all who worked on this bill.

Paint Stewardship to the Governor!

The Oregon Senate just voted 25-5 to pass HB 3037 and send the bill to the Governor. The bill creates a paint stewardship program, helping protect Oregon's rivers and landfills from toxic paint waste. More about the bill. Post-consumer paint is often the number one product, by volume and cost, coming into local hazardous waste programs.

Senators Atkinson, Boquist, Ferrioli, Kruse, and Starr voted against the bill, which was supported by conservationists and the paint industry.

Huzzah! Senate Passes Bill to Protect Oregon from Invasive Species!

On a 26-4 vote, the Oregon Senate passed HB 2220B, a bill to create mobile boat check stations and fight invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels and aquatic plants.

The bill -- an OCN Priority bill -- now heads to the Governor! Congrats to everyone who worked on this bill, including Native Fish Society and Trout Unlimited, and the Oregon Invasive Species Council. Senator Walker carried the bill on the floor. Senators Boquist, Ferrioli, George and Girod voted no.

Senate Votes to Reduce Commitment to Clean Energy

The Oregon Senate, on a 25-3 vote, passed House Bill 2940 an hour ago. The bill weakens Oregon's commitment to clean energy by redefining what is "renewable" under Oregon's renewable energy standard passed in 2007. The Standard requires Oregon have 25% new renewable energy by 2025. This bill will reduce that commitment by about 26% by allowing old biomass and waste burning facilities to be counted as renewable facilities and towards the 25% goal.

Read more about the bill on BlueOregon and in an article in today's Oregonian.

The bill now returns to the House for concurrence with the Senate amendments, and then heads to the Governor.

The three Senators voting against the bill (thank you!) were Senators Bonamici, Rosenbaum, and Dingfelder.