News Gov. John Kitzhaber announced this morning he will convene a special session of the Legislature on Friday, Dec. 14 (not Dec. 17 as he first announced) in order to cut a deal with Nike. Kitzhaber said today that Nike is planning a major expansion and sought assurances Oregon would not materially change its tax structure in a way that would disadvantage Nike in the future. "They are looking for ...   More

News Politicians are now in the fallow period between the recently-completed May primary and Labor Day—the end-of-summer holiday that will mark the beginning of the dash toward the Nov. 6 general election.But Nike Chairman Phil Knight's $25,000 contribution over the weekend to co-House Speaker Bruce Hanna gives the Roseburg Republican a helpful boost. Hanna, who owns a safe seat, is focused on trying ...   More

News Among the many casualties of Oregon's ongoing budget crisis is the line item that normally would have paid for Gov.-elect John Kitzhaber's transition expenses. To help defray those costs, interested parties have been contributing steadily—if unspectacularly—to Kitzhaber since Nov. 2 when he beat Republican Chris Dudley by 22,000 votes. State filings show a couple of dozen donors ...   More

News Give House Minority Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) this much—at least he didn't address the female lobbyists he invited to a $500-a-head Portland fundraiser as "gals." But the invitation [PDF] Hanna sent out today for his Oct. 20 event begins with the salutation "Hey girls" which bemused some recipients. Here's an excerpt: Hey girls, Tired of all these "man-events"? Golf, gun clubs, ...   More

News Former Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley officially announced his candidacy for the Republican gubernatorial nomination today at the North Portland campus of Self Enhancement, Inc. In front of an overflow crowd of about 150, former Blazers announcer Bill Schonley introduced Dudley, who he says "has never been afraid to take on the biggest guy or challenge." Dudley, who has never run for ...   More