December 18, 2008
Forget about Santa, Governor wants a lot from the 2009 Legislature
Gov. Ted Kulongoski has a long "to do" list for legislators in 2009.
In total, the governor's office has its name on more than 250 bills.
But his office released a list Thursday focusing on more than 30 bills that he wants to be sure are passed.
The list includes many of the things Kulongoski has been talking about in recent months: health insurance for kids and low-income adults; a 2-cent gas tax increase to help pay for better roads and transportation systems; a variety of proposals aimed at promoting renewable energy and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
But there are also a few notables that have not been talked about much or at all by the governor:
• Expand Oregon Bottle Bill to require returns on sports drinks, juice, wine and even distilled liquor containers beginning in 2013. Raise the deposit from a nickel to a dime beginning in 2011.
Also on the governor's list:
• Require landlords to disclose where smoking is allowed --and not allowed -- on a rental property as a standard part of the lease agreement.
• Prohibit the sale of tobacco products through vending machines. Yes, that includes vending machines in taverns, cocktail lounges and elsewhere.
• Grant automatic residency and thereby cut tuition costs for any veteran who wants to attend an Oregon community college or university.
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2008/12/forget_about_santa_governor_wa.html
