By Jana Jarvis, Oregon Wheat Grower’s League The carefully crafted bi-partisan power sharing arrangement in the Oregon House of Representatives was severely challenged during the fifth week of the 2011 legislative session. During the budget concerns of the 2009 session business had agreed to a short-term disconnect from the federal […]

Small town takes on Metro Article Alert: The Portland Tribune reports that the city of Cornelius finds the urban reserves it has been allocated unnaceptable and is going on a push to increase it. Currently, the city has 75 acres of vacant industrial land (110 entire industrial land). As the […]

By Congressman Greg Walden, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of Oregon’s House congressional delegation, Reps. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield), Kurt Schrader (D-Canby), Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland), and David Wu (D-Hillsdale) were joined by 49 of their colleagues today in sending a bipartisan letter to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan […]

Housing Starts and Permits Stall in February By National Association of Hoembuilders March 16, 2011 – Nationwide housing starts and issuance of permits for new housing construction both posted disappointing declines in February as concerns about a growing number of factors caused builders to pull back on production of new […]

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Boost U.S. Hydropower Production, Jobs — Hydropower Improvement Act would Expand Safe, Reliable, Clean Baseload Power National Hydropower Association Washington, D.C. (March 17, 2011) – As the nation looks for new sources of reliable clean energy, Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) […]

Sixth CR Cuts $6 Billion and Extends Federal Funding to April 8 Wheat Growers-National The federal government will be funded until April 8 under a new continuing resolution finalized this week.The House passed the bill Tuesday by a 271-158 vote; the Senate approved the measure Thursday by an 87-13 vote. […]

Cause of Imnaha wolf’s death unclear By Dept of Fish and Wildlife, LA GRANDE, Ore.—The exact cause of death for the Imnaha wolf found dead in early March is unclear. Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory ran several tests on the carcass looking for injuries, disease and toxins but test results […]

Small-acreage forest owners in Oregon will have an additional voice in forest policy following a decision made by the Oregon Board of Forestry. By Oregon Department of Forestry The Board of Forestry, at its March 9, 2011 meeting, adopted an Oregon Department of Forestry recommendation to add a non-voting seat […]

Farmers Prevail in Court Decision on EPA Livestock Rules By American Farm Bureau Federation WASHINGTON, D.C., March 16, 2011 – In a major court victory for the American Farm Bureau Federation and other farm organizations, a unanimous federal court of appeals has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot require […]

Idaho Legislature Considering Moratorium on Wind Development Stoel Rives LLP By Teresa Hill Two bills were introduced in the Idaho legislature last week, both of which could significantly impact the wind industry in Idaho. The first, H250, extends a sales or use tax rebate available to purchasers of qualifying machinery and […]