SALEM, Ore.- Now that the Oregon legislature’s first constitutionally mandated, short annual session has concluded, the question remains for some whether it was a good investment for taxpayers.

Previously, lawmakers met in 2008 and 2010 for a special session, even before voters approved a constitutional change requiring the legislators to meet annually.

SALEM, Ore.- Bills involving teen dating violence, elder abuse, college textbooks and other subjects have cleared the Joint Ways and Means Committee and are one step closer to becoming law.

The budget-writing Ways and Means Committee met on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 27 and approved several bills, many of which had passed through subcommittees last week.

SALEM, Ore.- A broad array of education-related bills is on its way to the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee, and the House and Senate floors, after being approved by a subcommittee.

The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education held a series of work sessions during its Friday, Feb. 24 meeting, as the 2012 legislative session races to a close.

SALEM, Ore.- Opposition from a few members of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee was not enough to stop the advancement of a bill that would increase the number of judges on the Oregon Court of Appeals.

During its Friday meeting, the committee held a work session on House Bill 4026.

SALEM, Ore.- Rising health care costs have become a source of constant strain for municipal budgets throughout the United States, and Oregon is no exception.

As a result, the Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB) has created a Health Engagement Model (HEM) program, intended to encourage participants to adopt and maintain more healthful behavior by focusing on issues such as weight management and quitting tobacco.

SALEM, Ore.- Members of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services heard testimony on the fiscal impact of a bill aimed at combating elder abuse during a Wednesday public hearing.

An amended version of House Bill 4084 passed out of the House Committee on Human Services Feb. 13 with a do-pass recommendation and was subsequently referred to the subcommittee.

SALEM, Ore.- Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul De Muniz was among those testifying in a public hearing before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety Monday, Feb. 20 on House Bill 4026.

The bill would increase the number of judges on the Court of Appeals from 10 to 13 by October 2013 and from 13 to 16 by October 2015.

SALEM, Ore.- The failure of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to fill an internal auditor position named as a top legislative priority drew the ire of both Republican and Democrat members of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee during its Friday meeting.

As a matter of routine, committee members frequently vote to acknowledge receipt of reports from various state agencies.

SALEM, Ore.- Two days after Oregon’s latest revenue forecast showed the state down an additional $35 million, the legislature’s Ways and Means Committee met to consider a key bill intended to transform the way health care services are delivered.

A work session was held during the Friday meeting regarding Senate Bill 1580. The bill, if passed, would provide legislative approval of Oregon Health Authority proposals for coordinated care organizations.

SALEM, Ore.- Salem lawmakers faced more bad news from the Office of Economic Analysis Wednesday morning, with news that state revenues for 2011 to 2013 fell another $35.1 million.

The decrease adds to the previously reported budget gap, totaling $342 million less in revenue than what legislators budgeted for last June.