Oregon lawmakers advance tax credit extensions

If the full Legislature and Gov. Kate Brown sign off, all seven universities will get new buildings or renovations, to the tune of $300 million.

On Tuesday, the Oregon State Senate advanced a bill that would mandate that all schools publish what percentage of their students are immunized and for what diseases. Companies that make products for kids under the age of 3, children’s cosmetics, or items knows as “mouthables” – such as pacifiers or teething rings – would have to phase out those ingredients after six years, unless they can prove there isn’t an economically effective way to remove that chemical or if there isn’t a safer alternative. Several GOP lawmakers said they support some of the credits but oppose voting on all of them as a package.

But opponents argued the bill was overreaching and oversight should happen at the federal level. It’s now awaiting a Senate vote, which is also considering a similar measure. House lawmakers also gave approval to a contentious bill that allows some students living in the USA without legal permission to apply for and receive state financial aid.

– Gradually increase license and tag fees for hunting and fishing, with supporters saying the rising fees are necessary to keep the state Department of Fish and Wildlife running.

Keny-Guyer has worked on the legislation since taking office in 2012, passing the House with a triumphant, two-thirds majority in 2013 only to die in the Senate when Johnson joined the Republicans, who locked arms in opposition to kill the bill twice.

The measure cleared the House with bipartisan support Friday.

The fate of an Oregon bill allowing retail marijuana sales to begin October 1 lies with Gov. Kate Brown.

The way the system is right now, there is this unwritten “code of the West” that on the highways you can go 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Interstate 84 from The Dalles to Idaho would rise to 70 miles per hour, as would all of USA 95 in the state’s southeastern corner.

Oregon had been among a handful of states where the highest speed limit was still 65 miles per hour. Drivers on Highway 31 headed from La Pine southeast to Valley Falls will also notice the limit raised to 65 miles per hour. Critics worry about the potential for accidents. Mark Hass, who carried the bill on the Senate floor.

Not all students would qualify for the waivers.

Critics warned that the measure would tie lawmakers’ hands in the future and force them to save money they desperately need for schools.