Too little too late. I'm glad that Ted is deciding to do his job at the end of his term. Did he just realize that there is a problem that needs to be addressed?

Special Session's Third Bullet Point:

-Allow Karen Minnis to cover up her failure last session by actually allowing legislation about Pay Day Loan Restrictions (since she is likely getting killed in the polls on that issue).

And with all the discussions about how our schools and health services need money in an election year, maybe there will finally be some help for struggling Oregonians. If only temporarily.

This could be a HUGE victory for Democrats.

"The Governor's special session date has little or nothing to do with the primary election..."

Oh, please. This pre-primary special session has everything to do with politics - especially to the 'Guv.

Look for contested incumbents to capitalize on the session to show the folks back home they are taking care of business and should be re-elected.

Payday Loans? - Yep, Karen Minnis will likely take care of that issue and take the wind out of Brading's sails in East County.

School Funding? - Look for both the R's and D's to scramble to take credit for dumping the $44 million in excess lottery revenue into the schools. That should be good for a post-primary boost for all.

Jessica's Law - R's will push this down the D's throat and make 'em choke on their Nay votes once again.

$136 million DHS shortfall - That's the nominal reason for the special session. But who really wants to address that mess from biggest state agency with the most problems?

I predict they will take those issues in roughly the order listed above, and run out of gas before solving the DHS debacle.

• Wes

Jessica's Law - R's will push this down the D's throat and make 'em choke on their Nay votes once again.

One question should be asked of anyone supporting Jessica's Law: How do you intend to pay for it?

The days of Mannix and "tough on crime no new taxes" should not be allowed to continue. All these anti-taxers want us to believe careful attention to spending will solve all funding problems.

So call their bluff: in line item detail how will they afford it. And none of this "asking about the cost means someone is soft on crime" from the crew which can't figure out how to afford enough troopers to cover the state.

Don't lay down and take it--ask them the tough questions. If they are like Kim Thatcher they won't be able to go beyond the sound bite of "we don't need new revenue, just discipline in spending" or some such. If everyone who has the chance to talk to a Republican legislator asks about the funding, maybe they will get a clue that it is time to talk about the actual dollars and cents of how to afford services. Police and the operation of prisons are SERVICES. Services cost money. "The money will be there" has been proven untrue--don't let them get away with it.

"One question should be asked of anyone supporting Jessica's Law:

How do you intend to pay for it?"

How can we afford not to?

Serious pedophiles are incurable. You need to, then offset it against the reduced cost of serious social services for fewer the juvenile victims of predators.

If that doesn't pencil out, then how about we just prioritize it in the budget ahead of the Cultural Trust Fund, prevailing wage laws, 1% for public art, and all the other crap that manages to get funded every session.

If that doesn't pencil out, then how about we just prioritize it in the budget ahead of the Cultural Trust Fund, prevailing wage laws, 1% for public art, and all the other crap that manages to get funded every session.

Except Pancho, when was the last time you saw a Republican legislator be that specific? They are all about "we must be tough on crime and cut spending" as if that is possible.

I will believe GOP legislators can talk about specific priorities when I see them do it.

Now officially taking bets on where they find some $$$ to solve the DHS mess. Odds are 100 to 1 that some of it comes from services to developmentally disabled adults. Any takers??

... $$$ to solve the DHS mess?

You must mean "$$$ to perpetuate the DHS mess."

Once again, ignoring the damage Measure 37 is doing. Ted, there's a difference between talking and acting, and on Oregon's planning legacy, you're doing neither.

Dandy, There was a DD forum at the Salem Senior Center on the 5th, where pledges were made to keep the promises made when Fairview closed. Even the "anti-tax and for whatever Minnis and Scott tell us to vote for " House Republicans in the group made promises.

Part of this mess comes from Republican legislators who go to a forum on DD issues (people who need caretakers because they can't live independently), promise them things will get better and all promises made when Fairview closed will be kept-----and then claim new revenue can't be discussed. But don't ask them the details because repeating mantras like "being disciplined about spending" eliminate the need for hard work of formulating and debating the tradeoffs.

I just called my st. senator's office and said as much. And that there are a lot of qualified challengers out there, so any experienced legislator had better discuss the tradeoffs in public lest the anger over lack of public debate on budget tradeoffs cause a number of challengers to win.

My exact words were that I was tired of hearing a mantra from those like Kim Thatcher saying " we must be disciplined about spending" even if the question was " In a tradeoff between X and Y, which would you fund and how?" . And that a dismissive mantra ("disciplined about spending" is awfully vague) sounds like " you're just a voter, you don't need a straight answer".

The woman on the other end of the phone said "I hear what you are saying".

Come the special session, we'll see how many legislators are brave enough to say "this is so important we should fund it by cutting..." (other spending, or better yet a tax break) if not brave enough to say " we can't pay for everything without new revenue".

LT, actually we've sent and forwarded many emails and our article to Senators Brown, Carter, Gordly, Schrader, and Reps. March and Dalto asking what happened to the 29 million. Not one of them has had the courage to answer that question. Bravery it seems is not a popular character trait in Salem.

When elected officials choose to ignore their constituents it's really time for them to hang it up.

Where brave hearts were nourished and held Fast to beliefs of fair playing field. When enough was said about justice and Simply done. Who made things right without fear Of others crooked agenda. Why they din't even have to hide Beneath oak desks sipping Republican Lite. What was it that made this end Up like this?

Captain Dandy, My State Senator is Jackie Winters. She claims too many on both sides of the aisle have forgotten / fallen down on the promises made when Fairview closed.

I suggest that rather than emails, people you know call 503-986-1710 and speak to the staffer I spoke to. Perhaps if enough people call her office and say "You were at the DD forum and also the Jessica's Law press conference, how specifically are you going to pay for both?".

Maybe she will get the message. If not, she's got a great challenger this year.

I’ll do you one better, captain dandy – 200 to 1 odds that they’ll shift more dollars away from the developmental disabilities budget. Whether or not they honor the commitments they made when Fairview closed... First, you have to have some kind of focus to commit to anything, rather than jumping from one media-hyped issue to the next flavor of the month. (aka “Jessica’s law” or what was it last time? The meth “epidemic.” Better yet, why not the “autism epidemic” that reappears during April every year in time for Autism Awareness Month.)

They’ve already held the obligatory forum to make sure that the threat of cutting existing services is resurrected as the DD advocates’ mantra. Then they’ll come along and “save” the existing level of services again, while extending the wait for the adults with developmental disabilities who’ve been waiting for years before they ever closed Fairview. Watch for the upcoming reversal on HB 2797.

My dear, dear, Magenta... Cutting in on someones book is rude. However; in your case I will let it slide. As far as what the legislature will do to "find" dollars, there will be no takers on either your or my odds anyway.

This legislature has demonstrated over and over again, a propensity to solve budgetary "crises" by cutting services to the most fragile and vulnerable citizens in our state. That's the Oregon Way.

<h2>However; I want to wish you a happy birthday my darling and the readers of this website a clear conscience. It's the best i can do at this moment.</h2>