There’s been a lot of activity in Salem this week as Oregon legislators attempt to finish the session. Many of the bills flying hither, thither and yon could affect the nursery industry in a big way, from tax hikes to metal theft to property tax issues affecting hoop houses. If you want to track it […]
Tax hikes approved – for real
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That didn’t take long. The legislative logjam we talked about this morning has been broken. The Oregon Senate this morning approved two bills – one to raise corporate taxes and another to raise income taxes. Both were carried on a party line vote, 18 yes (all Democrats), 11 no (all Republicans) and one Republican not […]
Metal health
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The metal theft bill we talked about yesterday, Senate Bill 570 (HTML|PDF), has been approved by the Oregon House of Representatives by unanimous vote, 60-0. Since the House version differed from the earlier Senate version, it moves back to the Senate for concurrence and then the governor’s signature. Here’s more on the bill from one […]
Tax hikes approved – NOT
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Yesterday we told you about increases in state corporate and personal income taxes, which seemed all but assured. Not so fast. The Oregon Senate yesterday failed to muster the two-thirds majority needed to raise taxes. Sen. Mark Hass (D-Beaverton) broke party ranks with his 17 fellow Senate Democrats by voting against one of the bills, […]
Protecting growers against theft
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With Oregon’s legislative session winding down, it’s reckoning time for proposed bills that would offer nurseries and others in agriculture greater protection against metal theft and other kinds of agricultural theft. The Oregon Association of Nurseries and other groups have been active in promoting a pair of bills: Senate Bill 570 (HTML|PDF) would address metal […]
Tax hikes approved
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Yesterday, the Oregon House of Representatives approved two revenue bills that, combined, would raise an estimated $733 billion to fund state programs and services over the next fiscal biennium. The Oregon Senate is expected to follow suit, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski is certain to sign it. From there, the measures may be referred to voters […]
Farm to market
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The Oregon Legislature this week approved a $300 million per year transportation package designed to upgrade roads statewide, create new capacity, and loosen bottlenecks that currently cost businesses time and money. The move was applauded by the Oregon Association of Nurseries as an important step towards helping growers move their goods to market. The improvements […]
Getting tough on metal thefts
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A bipartisan bill designed to combat metal theft, Oregon Senate Bill 570 (HTML | PDF), was approved yesterday (Wednesday, April 29) in the Oregon Senate by a 29 – 0 vote. The bill would increase record-keeping requirements for scrap metal dealers. It would require them to pay for metal by check, and set aside any […]
Invasive species bill moves
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The nursery industry is highly concerned this year that many industry priorities may fall under the budget axe, but there was good news this morning out of the Oregon House of Representatives. House Bill 2020 (PDF) was unanimously approved in the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee. This is a bill to set up […]
OSU Day at the Capitol
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Next Tuesday, April 21, Oregon State University advocates are going to invade the Oregon State Capitol, set up booths and tables, and spend the day talking to legislators about the impact OSU has on Oregon’s economy statewide. It’s called OSU Day at the Capitol. Various activities will run from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. If you’ve spent […]