If I were grading this session, and from my perspective and with a focus on the issues I care about, I would give them a B minus. Components of the grading would be an “A minus” for improved civility and working relations with the Republican minority. A “C” for environment and climate change bills (small steps ok, bad transportation bill, no significant progress on climate change). A “C plus” for the state budget as is, changing to a “B” if the tax measures pass on referenda or fail to make the ballot and a “C minus” if tax measures fail and another round of tax cutting is required (graded down for no kicker reform). A “B” for short term economic stimulus efforts. A “D” for long term economic growth programs or policies (What was there? Where were the hearings on international trade or the rise of China?). A “A minus” on health care reform. A “C” on K-12 and higher ed issues (no development of strategic foreign language programs or study abroad opportunities, and SB 767).

I thought the whole session was overly focused on dealing the with state budget issues. The opportunity costs, those issues not addressed or given hearing time because of this focus on the budget, were large. The world did not stop while Oregon wrestled with its budget problems.

Throughout this session I've had the pleasure to speak with and view the manurisms of many State Senators and Representatives.

It's apparent that this was a ball-breaker session. Worrylines, Crow's Feet, palpable blood pressures, short tempers, knee-jerks and visable sweat stains abounded. You could tell the ones that lived on three suits/skirts alone because they were so busy jumping from town hall to appointment to private meeting to sub-committee hearing to floor speech to fundraiser to office consult to the next thing and on and on and on.

In other words, a normal session... times twenty.

The details of this session making it apparent that was unique, lay in the looks of the aides and the constantly active schedules of the congress.

I almost wanted to move to Salem to cover it myself because it seems like this was one of the most interesting sessions to cover in quite some time.

So I say for this sine die: Rest well, good Congress. Then prepare for re-election.

It's all over! Adjournment Sine Die. I give this session a B+. These are not easy times and very hard decisions were made. Kudos to everyone who works hard to make this state run.