Senator Courtney Announces Members of Interim Legislative Committees

Senate President Peter Courtney recently announced the members of interim legislative committees. The list.

Merkley and Courtney Announce Emergency Board members

House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) and Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn) announced committee assignments for the Emergency Board of the 74th Legislative Assembly. The Emergency Board and subcommittees will meet June 26-27, September 25-26, and December 4-5, 2008. E-Board members are Senators Courtney, Bates, Carter, Johnson, Schrader, Westlund, Morse, Nelson, Whitsett, Winters, and Representatives Merkley, Nolan, Shields, Galizio, Gilman, D. Edwards, Nathanson, Jenson, Morgan, and P. Smith.

Big Look Task Force Creates an Issue List
The Oregon Task Force on Land Use has created a preliminary listing of land use issues and outcome - for discussion purposes only and subject to change. It is now available at: http://www.oregonbiglook.org

Agencies Busy with 2009 Budgets, Proposals

No rest for the weary. Just after the 2008 session shut down, state agencies are being asked to submit ideas for the 2009 session.

 April 4th was the last day for agencies to submit budget concepts, and agency legislative concepts are due June 2nd. The 2009 Session will start Jan 12.

The Department of Land Conservation and Development is considering laws on affordable housing, land use appeal fees, school siting, destination resorts, and incentives for conserving farm and forest lands.

Read about all eight potential DLCD proposals here.

Tracking the Agencies

Oregon's state agencies have a variety of systems for trying to keep citizens aware of what's going on.  Here are a few e-mail resources for tracking state agency proposals, agendas, and news releases. Some of these work well, some not so much.

Department of Transportation (apparently has no auto-subscribe on-line)
Department of Forestry (email lists under development)
Department of Agriculture (couldn't find auto-subscribe on-line)
Department of Fish and Wildlife news  commission agendas 
Water Resources Department
Department of Land Conservation and Development
Department of Environmental Quality
Parks and Recreation Department
Oregon Climate Change News
Governor's Executive Appointments and many other lists