She Flies With Her Own Wings: Oregon’s Legislative Leaders

Today marks the first day of the 75th Legislative Assembly (the state celebrates its 150th birthday on Valentine’s Day) and so I thought it would be appropriate to preview the leadership on both sides of the aisle in the Oregon Legislature.  

FYI, “She flies with her own wings” is the official motto of the state of Oregon and so I thought it would be an appropriate title for this post.

Cross-Posted from Loaded Orygun: http://www.loadedorygun.net/sh…

Oregon State:

Officers:

Senate President-Peter Courtney (D)

District: 11-Salem.

First Elected to Senate: 1998.

First Elected President: 2003.

Birth Date: 06/18/1943

Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA

Summary: Peter Courtney is a dedicated progressive who has a long history of public service.  Elected to the state legislature for the first time in 1988, Courtney is regarded as a consensus-builder.  He was first elected to President in 2003 when the Senate was split 15-15.  In his prior life, he worked as a TV political commentator.

Caucus Leaders:

Majority Leader-Richard Devlin (D)

District: 19-Tualatin.

First Elected to Senate: 2002.

First Elected Party Leader: 2007.

Birth Date: 09/09/1952

Birthplace: Eugene, OR

Summary: Richard Devlin is renowned for his work in a number of areas, most notably child safety.  During the last legislative session he passed bills improving the state’s booster seat law as well as one banning the use of dangerous metal halide lights in public buildings, most notably public schools.  Prior to joining the legislature as a representative in 1996, he was a legal investigator for adult and juvenile corrections.

Minority Leader-Ted Ferrioli (R)

District: 30-John Day.

First Elected to Senate: 1996.

First Elected Party Leader: 2002.

Birth Date: 02/15/1951

Birthplace: Spokane, WA

Summary: One thing you can say about Ted Ferrioli is that at least he does not hide whom he is, an unapologetic advocate for timber interests in the state.  He believes that his most important recent work is that related to ensuring timber payments for rural OR (a very important issue that was a bipartisan push against the Bush administration) and is a strong advocate for lower taxes and less government.  He owns a small timber company and in 1986 formed Community Relations Associates to advocate for timber interests.

Oregon House:

Officers:

Speaker-Dave Hunt (D)

District: 40-Oregon City

First Elected to House: 2002.

First Elected Speaker: 2009.

Birth Date: 11/10/1967

Birthplace: Port Angeles, WA

Summary: Dave Hunt has long been a leader for progressive causes in Oregon, particularly those related to education, transportation and the environment.  His proudest legislative accomplishment last session was helping to create Oregon’s rainy day fund.  He also helped pass Connect Oregon III last session, which funded a variety of transportation projects related to rail, road, air and sea in order to improve passenger and freight mobility.  Outside of his work in the legislature, Hunt chairs the Columbia River Channel Commission and is an active member in his church.

Caucus Leaders:

Majority Leader-Mary Nolan (D)

District: 36-SW Portland

First Elected to House: 2000.

First Elected Party Leader: 2009.

Birth Date: 1954

Birthplace: Chicago, IL

Note: I worked for Rep. Nolan as a Legislative Assistant during the 2005 session.

Summary: Mary Nolan is without a doubt one of the most intelligent members of the Oregon Legislature.  A true progressive, Nolan has led the fight on a number of issues from abortion rights to GLBT rights to funding for education.  Nolan was the co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee (the state’s budget committee) in the 2007 session and is a leader for responsible for effective government.  Nolan is the former director of the City of Portland’s Environmental Services Department and currently owns and operates a number of businesses with her husband Mark Gardiner.

Minority Leader-Bruce Hanna (R)

District: 7-Roseburg

First Elected to House: 2004.

First Elected Party Leader: 2007.

Birth Date: 1960

Birthplace: Roseburg, OR

Summary: Bruce Hanna is your classic rural Oregon Republican, constantly fighting against measures which specifically benefit the city of Portland (which many rural Republicans consider evil).  For example, in a press statement released late in the 2007 session, Hanna cited funding for Portland Streetcars and the Portland-Milwaukee MAX (Light Rail) line as examples of “wasteful spending”.  His major issues include tax reduction and state police funding.  Hanna runs Automatic Vending Services and is the regional director for Coca-Cola in Southern OR.

Let me know what you think.