Politicker OR

Republican leaders in the Oregon State House called for nixing the idea of tax increases on Wednesday after the economic forecast indicated that the legislature would have $850 million less to work with in the upcoming 2009 session than originally thought. “Spending in 2007 was unsustainable, and now the Legislature is facing difficult decisions in 2009,” said House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) on a GOP blog post on Oregon Catalyst. “It is time to bring government spending back under control, and to pass measures to keep dollars flowing through our economy and to keep capital within our state.”

Several U.S. Senators spoke highly of U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) on Wednesday, saying it was a pleasure to have served with him during his 12 years in the body, according to an article in The Oregonian. "For 12 years, he has made the people of Oregon proud by serving as a model legislator: thoughtful, independent, and focused on getting results for our country and his state,'' said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), as reported by Charles Pope.

The Democratic Party of Oregon is re-mobilizing its general election grassroots campaign network into a holiday food drive, according to a release from the party on Thursday. “The Democratic Party’s 2008 success wasn’t a movement just to win an election,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “It’s a call to restore our country. That restoration starts by helping our communities in need.”

Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson told PolitickerOR.com on Thursday that he enjoyed his current position, but would seriously consider an opportunity to be Oregon’s next U.S. Attorney. “It would certainly be an opportunity to merit serious consideration,” Haroldson said.

The defeat of Measure 61 and the passage of Measure 57 in the general election may have been a defeat for Kevin Mannix, but the former congressional candidate and Salem lawyer sees the result as an overall victory for public safety, according to a piece he wrote Thursday on Oregon Catalyst. “We need to remember that the people have spoken quite loudly in favor of tough anti-crime efforts,” Mannix wrote. “While Measure 57 is weaker than Measure 61, Measure 57 still represents a step forward.”

State House Democratic leaders blamed Oregon’s worsening economy on a bleaker national picture Wednesday and began prioritizing the state’s diminishing state budget to get through the economic crisis. “This nation has been battered by the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration and Oregon is now feeling that pain,” newly elected House Majority Leader Mary Nolan (D-Portland) said. “The cuts requested by the Governor will affect every Oregonian and every Oregon business. But this downturn also provides us with an opportunity to look anew at how we do things in Oregon and to make sure that Oregonians are receiving real value from every dollar we spend on public service.”

Former Gov. John Kitzhaber had been rumored to be a candidate for Secretary of Health and Human Services in President-elect Barack Obama’s cabinet, but on Wednesday Politico.com reported that that position went to former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.). Kitzhaber was first rumored for the post three weeks ago, along with Daschle and Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean.

Party leaders in the Oregon State Senate reacted glumly on Wednesday to news that the state was going to face bigger fiscal shortages than originally anticipated. Gov. Ted Kulongoski called for budget cuts across the board on Wednesday, which will mean about $850 million less for lawmakers to spend on state projects. Such significant cuts will affect how House and Senate Democrats, who control both bodies, will be able to proceed with their agenda.

Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb said Wednesday that he was not interested in pursuing an appointment to be Oregon’s next U.S. attorney, but he was hoping one of his fellow D.A.’s was. “I’m hoping for Josh Marquis, who has done a great job,” Caleb told PolitickerOR.com.

Deschutes County District Attorney Mike Dugan told PolitickerOR.com on Wednesday that he was not interested in pursuing the nomination for U.S. Attorney in Oregon, but that he had a good idea of whom would be a good fit for the job. “My personal preference is Joshua Marquis,” Dugan said in a voicemail. “Joshua knows a lot about the criminal law system and the federal system. He is a very loyal person and will do what the government of the United States asks him to do. He’ll also do his best to make sure the desires of Mr. Obama become Oregon’s.”

The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released its economic forecast on Wednesday morning and the picture is bleak for the Beaver State. The forecast “projects a slowing Oregon economy in 2008 which continues into the first half of 2009,” due to continuing financial instability in the markets, a worsening housing market and rising energy prices. The forecast also projects a continued rise in unemployment, as well as a continued decrease in state revenue projections. The negative economic picture will impact the state’s political leaders, who will have to adjust their agendas to deal with decreasing state revenue and shrinking budgets. Read the summary of the economic forecast here (PDF). Watch PolitickerOR.com on Wednesday for reaction from the state’s political leaders.

The dust has barely settled on the 2008 elections -- in fact, in a few Senate and House contests, ballots are still being counted -- but possible presidential contenders are already building foundations they will need to put them ahead of the pack in time for the 2012 Iowa caucuses, a scant 38 months away. For Republicans, the early key to success is holding a governorship, and at least half a dozen chief executives are expected to at least consider a bid for president.

Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader (D-Canby) told PolitickerOR.com on Tuesday that she was interested in pursuing the State Senate seat being vacated by her husband, incoming U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader.

U.S. Senator-elect Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) spoke up in a Senate Democratic caucus meeting on Tuesday regarding whether U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) would be stripped of his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after he supported former presidential candidate John McCain in the November election.

Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote told PolitickerOR.com on Tuesday that although he was not actively pursuing a potential appointment to become Oregon’s next U.S. Attorney, he would be honored to receive a call inquiring about his interest in the position. “I’m very flattered that anyone would mention my name for such an important position,” Foote said.

Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis told PolitickerOR.com on Tuesday that he would be interested in being Oregon’s next U.S. Attorney, but was not waiting on the edge of his seat for the appointment. “It’s Senator Wyden’s recommendation and it’s a process that’s going to take several months,” Marquis said.

State Sen. Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) will tour Oregon agricultural industries with Kurdistan’s High Representative on Thursday. Atkinson and, Qubad Talabani, son of Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, will meet with Oregon business leaders, stop at the Oregon Food Science Center, and take part in the first Oregon to Kurdistan Agricultural Summit.

State House candidate Toby Forsberg (D-Oregon City) has not officially lost the race against State House candidate Bill Kennemer (R-Oregon City), but Forsberg expressed interest in Friday in being appointed to replace outgoing State Sen. Kurt Schrader (D-Canby). “I am interested in the seat and have been encouraged to look at it,” Forsberg said in a voicemail to PolitickerOR.com.

U.S. Senator-elect Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) is currently considered the country’s 57th and most recent Democratic Senator-elect after slow ballot counting kept Oregonians on the edge of their seats for several days after theElection. But Merkley may no longer be the body’s latest Senator-elect. According to Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, the GOP may be ceding a Senate race in Alaska to Mark Begich (D-Alaska), where the state is still wading through ballots.

Portland attorney Roy Pulvers, who had been whispered as a possible U.S. Attorney candidate for Oregon, told PolitickerOR.com on Monday that he was honored to be considered, but not interested in taking on the position. “I’m happy doing what I’m doing,” Pulvers said.