Oregon

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today the Senate passed legislation that will increase funding for housing and supportive services for veterans. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley voted in favor of the measure which was passed as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.

“After serving our nation selflessly and putting their lives on the line for the safety of our citizens, it is completely unacceptable that veterans are sleeping on the streets and not receiving the care and services they deserve,” said Merkley “This funding is an important step forward in helping veterans get off the streets and back on their feet.”    » read more »

Nov. 16, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s employment report shows that Oregon’s unemployment rate is starting to level off and stabilize, which is promising news. This week we will also receive the next quarterly state revenue forecast, which will provide another snapshot about the state of Oregon’s economy.

“Today’s employment report and the forecast later this week are critical indicators for state and local governments as we continue to budget prudently and plan for a long, slow economic recovery.    » read more »

Bill to Go to President Obama for Final Signature

16 November 2009 -- Washington, DC – In an effort led by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore), the House today passed a bill that would designate the U.S. Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Ave. in Northeast Portland as the “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Post Office.” The bill was supported by every member of the Oregon delegation in both the House and the Senate.

The bill is the result of a community effort led by local letter carriers Jamie Partridge and Isham Harris. In 2007, Mr. Partridge and Mr. Harris collected employee signatures supporting the renaming, as well as letters of support from the Piedmont and Concordia Neighborhood Associations, and the Sabin Community Association.    » read more »

Recovery Act funds will help save and create over 90 jobs in rural Oregon

Nov. 10, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced a $4.89 million federally-funded economic recovery grant from Business Oregon to the Ochoco Lumber Company of John Day. The funding will construct a wood pellet fuel facility, helping support the retention of 80 full-time jobs and creating 11 new ones in the community.

The grant opportunity was made possible by the U.S. Forest Service and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). Malheur National Forest officials worked in conjunction with Business Oregon staff to make the pellet fuel project possible.    » read more »

Flags to be lowered until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nov. 6, 2009 -- (Salem) - Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, in memory of those lost in the Fort Hood tragedy yesterday.

“The tragic event at Fort Hood yesterday is not only devastating for the families, but for our entire nation,” said Governor Kulongoski. “As we keep our soldiers serving abroad in our thoughts and prayers, we should take a moment to think about those lost at Fort Hood and their families.”

Source: Oregon Governor

Executive Order gives public health director clear authority to respond as needed

Nov. 5, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today issued Executive Order 09-17 to grant the state’s public health director, Dr. Mel Kohn, additional authority to respond proactively to pandemic H1N1 influenza. By issuing the order now, Governor Kulongoski has provided Dr. Kohn with the ability to implement quickly public health protections provided by state law.

“In order to do all we can to protect the public, I have provided Dr. Kohn with the ability to take additional steps to protect the health of Oregonians,” said Governor Kulongoski. “These measures are not needed now, but should that change, Dr. Kohn can take action without delay.”    » read more »

Nov. 5, 2009 -- (Salem) - “Today Congress stood by those hit hardest by the recession, including the 12,000 Oregonians who would otherwise be out of benefits come January. It is a much-needed addition to the extension of state benefits that took effect last month.

“For these Oregonians, the continued benefit brings some peace of mind and can mean the difference between keeping a home and putting food on the table.

“As Governor my focus remains on ensuring Oregon is well-positioned for the long term and working across public and private sector lines to accelerate a recovery that generates jobs and puts people back to work.”

Source: Oregon Governor

Grants for Innovative Projects will Harness Oregon's Resources

October 29, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Continuing efforts to advance alternative energy resources and break our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced nearly $40 million in Recovery Act funding for the exploration and development of geothermal energy technologies in Oregon.

“This funding will literally help to bring Oregon’s geothermal energy potential to the surface,” Wyden said. “It will create and sustain jobs improving alternative energy technology to better tap into Oregon’s unique set of renewable energy resources.”    » read more »

Bill Passed by Senate and House Includes Millions in Oregon Dredging and Alternative Energy Projects

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Working to improve Oregon’s waterways and alternative energy technology capabilities, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is on its way to the President’s desk for signature.

The bill, which includes nearly $200 million in projects for Oregon and the Northwest, has been approved by both the House and the Senate. The bill also includes millions in funding for energy programs – such as $50 million for wave and tidal energy research – that are very important to Oregon.    » read more »

Bill Will Help Families, Put Money Into Economy

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he has co-sponsored legislation to extend assistance to those currently unemployed. The legislation will provide up to an additional twenty weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to Oregonians who have exhausted their benefits by the end of December 2009.

“During these difficult economic times it’s important to ensure that jobless Americans can make ends meet while they’re looking for a fresh start,” said Merkley. “These benefits will help ease the burden on unemployed Oregonians and put money back in their pockets to help stimulate the local economy.”    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today launched a Fiscal Year 2010 work plan for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forests in western Oregon that will add economic certainty for local communities while protecting endangered species.

In addition to a proposed schedule of 62 timber sales under the Northwest Forest Plan, Salazar announced that federal field teams will identify future proposed timber sales with high likelihood of being sold and harvested and a special task force will take a fresh look at forest management issues in Oregon.    » read more »

Governor supports 2010 work plan to provide jobs and revenue for timber counties

Oct. 14, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s announcement by Secretary Salazar for interim management plan of Oregon’s Western Forests, under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, is a good first step, and I am pleased that the Secretary gave this the prompt attention he promised when he recently withdrew the Western Oregon Plan Revision (WOPR).

“While the projects announced today maintain the status quo in terms of the quantity of timber produced, they will provide badly-needed jobs in the woods, in the mills and other forest-related employment. Moreover, these projects, because they are largely thinning projects, will make an important contribution to forest health.    » read more »

Oct. 12, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s employment report is encouraging news. However, full economic recovery will be slow and I believe the state and all levels of government need to continue to be cautious and prudent in their budgeting.

“As Governor my focus remains on creating jobs, retaining jobs and helping those families seeking employment make ends meet during these difficult times.    » read more »

Report shows stimulus funding has helped thousands of Oregonians in every corner of the state including the creation/retention of more than 8000 jobs

Oct. 12, 2009 -- (Salem) – Today as part of the first official report to the Federal government, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) has created and retained more than the equivalent of 8000 full-time jobs in Oregon since it was signed into law in February of this year.

“With this report, I can say with full confidence that the Recovery Act provided Oregon a much needed parachute for what was a free falling economy,” Governor Kulongoski said at an event where he was joined by Oregon companies that are putting people to work because of the Recovery Act.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today Congressman David Wu announced that the federal government has funded nearly $9 million in research projects that he sponsored to support some of Oregon’s diverse agricultural industries, including those producing timber, small fruits and berries, and grass seed.

“During this economic downturn, it is especially important that we continue our federal investment in the vital agricultural segment of our economy and help support our nation’s food system,” said Congressman Wu. “The research we fund today will help farmers across Oregon produce better crops and maintain market competitiveness.”    » read more »