Category Archives: Uncategorized

Until the gavel fell this afternoon, it was unclear to many if lawmakers would be able to wrap up the legislative session this week. So, will they? Nope. Co-Speaker of the House Bruce Hanna adjourned the afternoon session until 10 … Continue reading →

Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, had a smile on his face after the House session met on Wednesday morning. Three of the bills he pushed hard all session passed. His friend and colleague, Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, went up to him … Continue reading →

Republican lawmaker Patrick Sheehan, of Clackamas, sported a tuxedo on the House floor today. He was joined by a few other lawmakers who replaced their usual suits with the fancier attire. The freshman lawmaker said the outfit was meant to … Continue reading →

The Latin phrase for the end of the session is sine die – meaning adjournment. But when will this legislative session adjourn? Lawmakers have started thanking their staffers on the House and Senate floor for their time. And staffers throughout … Continue reading →

Gov. John Kitzhaber vetoed the first bill of the session Tuesday. Once given the nickname “Dr. No” for vetoing bundles of bills, the late-in-the session disapproval marks a change indicative of the governor’s third term. This session, with a 30-30 … Continue reading →

Rep. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, left his small hometown of Condon, Ore. to study agriculture at Oregon State University. He went on to get his law degree at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, studied journalism … Continue reading →

Forty years ago, when lawmakers first signed Oregon’s bottle bill – the first in the nation – into law, they couldn’t have predicted the rise of the energy drink or vitamin-infused water. Lawmakers have said for several sessions the bottle … Continue reading →

His name is on the bill as a co-sponsor: Rep. Bob Jenson, a Republican from Pendleton. But when the chance came to send the bill — which would allow illegal immigrant students a chance to pay in-state tuition at Oregon … Continue reading →

Freshman lawmaker Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte,  told his colleagues  on Monday that given his position in the “pecking order” he would be introducing a bill that would give egg-laying hens more room. “I’m not going to crack jokes or scramble … Continue reading →

Lawmakers and environmental advocates are still working to pass a bill they hope will protect the Deschutes River Basin and help Central Oregon continue to grow. The continuation of the Deschutes Water Mitigation Program was Rep. Gene Whisnant’s, R- Sunriver, … Continue reading →