In a trial run for a possible annual legislative session, state Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for the February special session, with both parties releasing lists of their priorities. While the finger-pointing and blame-laying have already begun, there are a number of common goals that both sides would like to see addressed during this session.
Both parties in the Senate and House have asserted that their main goals for this session are to provide 24-hour state police coverage and to hold the government accountable for spending and waste.

“Issues like putting a state trooper on every Oregon highway, every day of the week or empowering the legislature to root out waste in government are issues that every Oregonian cares about,” said Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, in a recent news release.
House Democrats last year approved legislation to put 100 additional troopers on Oregon highways, but Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s recommendation called for 139 state police officers to provide “around-the-clock” coverage.
House Republicans argue they introduced a bill last year that would have created “24/7 coverage,” and the “Democrats did not pass our plan,” according to a House Republican news release.
“We hope the goals are the same … and while we can finger-point, the fact of the matter is we need 24/7 coverage,” said Nick Smith, spokesman for House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna, R-Roseburg.

While both sides are pushing hard for the safety of Oregonians, they are also looking to make government more accountable for spending, financial waste and productivity.
House Democrats want to create an advisory committee to hold state government accountable, while Senate Democrats say they want enhanced oversight of state agency operations.
Republicans are pushing for the formation of an auditor’s office to counter spending that they feel has gotten out of control during the last biennium.
Smith said that with more than $900 million in new government debt incurred during 2007 alone, despite record revenue, “a legislative auditor would be a way of assuring Oregonians that their money is being well spent.”
Both sides also agree they would like to provide quality home care for Oregon seniors through Project Independence, protect Oregonians facing foreclosure because of the mortgage crisis, and find a way to get sufficient water supplied to rural communities, specifically for farmers in Eastern Oregon.
Despite the common ground, there are still plenty of subjects for Democrats and Republicans to argue about. The requirements for someone attempting to obtain an Oregon driver’s license is an issue that has gained momentum recently, but the two parties have yet to come to an implementation plan.Because applicants do not have to provide proof of legal residence, Oregon is one of seven states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. But Smith says “it’s more than an immigration issue, it is also a public safety issue.”
The special session is set to convene on Feb. 1, but it cannot extend beyond the end of the month even though both chambers are allowed to introduce 50 bills each.
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