Oregon LegislationOregon's Legislature adjourned Sine Die the 2010 Special Session on February 25, 2010.Bill Tracking*
*Please note that these are bills we believe to be of interest to our members; if the position field is left blank, we have not taken a formal position on the bill. Find your representative:
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 12,000 Oregon students fail reading test they must pass to graduate This year, knowing their diplomas depend on it, Oregon high school sophomores made unprecedented gains in reading, with a record 71 percent of students passing the state reading exam. Still, 12,000 Oregon students will begin their junior year next week at risk of failing to graduate. They must pass the state reading test or its equivalent by senior year to get a diploma. Complete Story: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/08/12000_oregon_students_fail_rea.html Early indicators suggest the state won't receive nearly as much as officials expected from a tax increase on wealthy Oregonians -- raising questions of whether January's bitterly fought election was worth it. The latest numbers show Measure 66, which set higher tax rates on households making more than $250,000 a year, and on individual filers making half that, has brought in about $70 million in additional collections to date. The measure also lowered the amount that could be deducted for paying federal taxes. Complete Story: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/measure_66_tax_revenue_coming.html *** Monday, August 30, 2010 Governor's Council of Economic Advisors say Oregon needs to reform or repeal kicker law The Governor's Council of Economic Advisors agreed Friday that it's time for Oregon to rethink the kicker tax rebate and sock more into rainy day savings. During a two-hour, special meeting of the council Friday, Gov. Ted Kulongoski consulted with 14 economists, academics and industry experts about the hole in the state's current budget and long-term options for restructuring government. The meeting came the day after state leaders learned that revenues are down about $373 million. Complete Story: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/08/council_of_economic_advisors_s.html *** Friday, August 27, 2010 Oregon businesses may be in for kicker tax rebates Oregon's budget problems continued to worsen today as the state economist projected an "anemic" recovery and another $373 million drop in state revenue. At the same time, however, corporations that pay Oregon taxes could see rebates of more than $40 million under Oregon's "kicker" law because their profits are outpacing expectations, a situation one lawmaker termed "absurd." Complete Story: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/08/latest_state_revenue_forecast.html *** Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Beaverton schools get $4 million in federal money, but only if $800,000 is raised locally Earlier this month, the Beaverton School District was one of only 49 districts in the nation to be awarded a $4 million federal education grant to use arts education to boost student achievement, particularly among high-needs students. The money, however, hinges on the district and its partners raising $800,000 in matching funds in a mere two weeks. Without that 20 percent match, the grant disappears. The good news is the Sept. 8 deadline requires a commitment by donors, not the actual cash. Those who contribute have until 2011 to pay their first installment, which is when the five-year program kicks off. Complete Story: http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2010/08/beaverton_schools_get_4_million_in_federal_money_but_only_if_800000_is_raised_locally.html |