VICTORY FOR FORMER OREGON SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND STUDENTS
By Tyler Smith,

SALEM, OR, MARCH 11, 2010: Supporters of the Oregon School for the Blind and the Oregon School for the Deaf can celebrate a five to ten million dollar victory today. Governor Kulongoski signed House Bill 3687 today which marks a major victory for the former Oregon School for the Blind students who sued the State over its 2009 plan to shut down the school and take the proceeds.

Common Sense for Oregon, a non-profit, good governance advocacy group, came to the assistance of the cause. Five descendents, two former students, and one former faculty member sued the Department of Education in August alleging that the property where the Oregon School for the Blind sits was donated into trust, and therefore the State had no legal capacity to sell the property and take the proceeds.

The last thing anybody in America needs is a National ID Card.

The Wall Street Journal broke the story. The Obama Administration is getting ready to roll out the idea of a National ID Card with your fingerprints embedded in it. The ostensible reason? To try to go after the illegal alien problem.

The problem is, the Democrats don’t see the illegal aliens as a problem. They see them as a supply of fresh voters and fresh Union members.

In light of the shocking and sad news of State Treasurer Ben Westlund dying over the weekend, State Senator Rick Metsger (D-Welches) and State Senator Chris Telfer (R-Bend) have stepped up to file for the seat. Below is State Senator Chris Telfer's press release. Reporter Jeff Mapes hinted that Steve Novick and former Rep. Greg Macpherson are interested in the Governor's immediate appointment.

Telfer running for Treasurer
Will use CPA background, work for strong fiscal leadership

BEND – Chris Telfer, a CPA and State Senator from Bend announced today that she will run for State Treasurer. Telfer is a Republican and serves as a member of the Senate Revenue Committee where she has aggressively challenged Salem officials on fiscal management issues. Telfer says that if elected she will use the position to advocate for better fiscal management and financial oversight.

Taxpayer Association of Oregon,

The largest straw poll in Oregon was conducted by the Taxpayer Association of Oregon with over 830 people responding. The poll shows the voter opinion of what Oregon grassroots taxpayer activist think of the governor candidates. The results of this taxpayer poll show a massive amount of voters are still undecided which makes this one of the most open ended and competitive races in modern memory.

Entrepreneur and political veteran leaves a legacy of public service to Oregon families

SALEM -- In life, there are those who take the road less followed. Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund’s was miles past where the pavement ends. His path took him from Apple Valley, Calif; to the shores of Lake Oswego; to the painted hills of Eastern Oregon; to rural Deschutes County; and then to the statehouse, where he served as a legislator and as Treasurer. In Central Oregon and then the Capitol, where Westlund spent much of the past 13 years since being first elected in 1996, he was known for his easygoing wit and his signature sign off: “Down the trail.”

Westlund’s journey ended too soon. He died early Sunday in Bend, when he lost his battle to cancer. He was 60.
The son of Long Beach oilman Bernard "Bud", and Dorothy Reynolds Westlund, was born Sept. 3, 1949, Spent first 16 years in Apple Valley, California where his father had a successful real estate development. Then his family returned to the Northwest with his two brothers. He graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., where he earned a degree in education and history.

Since the beginning of the Dorchester Conference, delegates have had an opportunity to vote for their favorite candidate in a straw poll on the last day of the conference. The results have not always predicted the state primary election results, but encourages supporters to continue to work for their choice for governor. Will that tradition continue, or will this year break the pattern?

The debates are over, the votes are in and the winner of the 2010 Gubernatorial Straw Poll is:
Allen Alley with 225 votes.

Chris Dudley received 165 votes, and John Lim received 47 votes.

You know I’m not crazy about paying my taxes either, but if you’re working for the government you really ought to pay the IRS.

The story is kind of stunning. Hundreds and hundreds of people who work for the federal government simply haven’t paid their taxes. According to Politico, 447 House employees and 231 Senate workers didn’t pay their taxes in 2008.

At the CD-1 debate, Moderator Sen. Bruce Star's introductions were interrupted by someone calling for the inclusion of the candidate, Doug Keller, who was not invited to debate with John Kuzmanich and Rob Cornilles. He spent the time “tweeting” his own answers to the questions put to the candidates on the stage.
Both candidates seemed to agree philosophically. The only disagreements between candidates were on style. Cornilles focused on answering the issues while Kuzmanich split his time between discussing the issues and making personal attacks. Whether this approach will pay off is anybody’s guess.

The Dorchester Gubernatorial debate moderator U.S. Congressman Greg Walden introduced candidates, Allen Alley, Chris Dudley, and John Lim.

In their opening statements Sen. Lim declared he was within several points of his opponent. Mr. Dudley said now is the time to stay, fight, and move Oregon in a new direction. Mr. Alley called the Republican Party the party of “Know” (as in we know what to do).

Dudley veered toward something different when he began his opening statements by walking away from the poduim and strolling along the stage talking to the audience. Greg Walden, the moderator, reminded everyone that speakers must stay at the poduim and the brief momement of creativity was put to a halt.

When Lim was asked what is the difference between the candidates he said that Dudley was "taller" and Alley was "fatter" which brought outrageous laughter from the audience.