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Oregon university projects face delays because of legislative action
More than a dozen Oregon University System capital construction projects 鈥� from the Oregon Sustainability Center to Oregon State University's new student union 鈥� are being held up because of a lack of bonding approval.
Oregon Sustainability Center facing a ‘cart/horse scenario’
The Oregon Sustainability Center team last week submitted a 100-page report to the Oregon Legislature, with hope that it will move the project forward. The report was a response to a list of more than two dozen questions issued in June by the Ways and Means committee. On Friday, the interim committee accepted the report, but didn鈥檛 give an indication that the project proposal would pass when it [...]
U.S. Green Building Council tips hat to Oregon Legislature
The U.S. Green Building Council recently released a report highlighting sustainable building policy advancements made by state legislatures in 2011.
Recent bills streamline conflict resolution, clarify rights
Labor laws passed in Salem during this year鈥檚 legislative session were markedly more pro-business than the 2009 session, addressing conflicts between employers and employees and helping streamline how to tackle employment disputes. The House was split down the middle and a Senate had a two-person majority in the Democrats鈥� favor.
Oregon Sustainability Center, other capital projects put on ice
The fate of the Oregon Sustainability Center project is now in limbo. More than half of the cost is slated to be covered by Oregon University System bonds, but the Legislature plans to delay consideration of bond approval for the center and some other projects until February 2012.
Kitzhaber signs Cool Schools legislation
As many as 43 schools will receive energy-efficiency upgrades this summer, funded by a program officially kicked off today when Gov. John Kitzhaber signed into law his 鈥淐ool Schools鈥� legislation. 鈥淐ool Schools is a triple-win for Oregon,鈥� said Governor Kitzhaber in a statement about the legislation. 鈥淭he program will bring family-wage jobs, cost savings, and better learning environments [...]
Career and technical education bill passes legislature
A bill that will put some money behind career and technical education programs in Oregon passed both houses of the state legislature this week and is on its way to the governor鈥檚 desk.
Scaled-down BETC program passes House
A scaled-down program that will replace the current conservation and generation Business Energy Tax Credits was passed by the Oregon House of Representatives this morning with a vote of 57-2.
Oregon Sustainability Center’s future hinges on funding bill
Supporters of the Oregon Sustainability Center project are waiting anxiously this week as a legislative committee determines the fate of the high-performing building proposed near Portland State University.
New law would be rebirth for career education
An Oregon bill expected to pass this session would create a $2 million grant program for career and technical education classes and pre-apprenticeship programs, and change policies that have created bureaucratic barriers that impede creation of ACE Academy-like charter schools and skill centers.
Industrial lands bill awaits Kitzhaber’s signature
A bill aimed at protecting lands deemed regionally significant for industrial use has passed out of both the Oregon state Senate and House of Representatives and is now awaiting a final signature from the governor.
Industrial lands bill passes Senate floor vote
A state Senate bill that would protect regionally significant industrial lands from being converted to other uses, and accelerate the permitting process on those lands, is one step closer to becoming law.
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
