Huffman Talks Job Creation On House Floor

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John E. Huffman

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April 14, 2011    07:40 am

Glenn Vaagen

SALEM, OR — Representative John Huffman, on the House floor Tuesday, discussed business and job expansion within Oregon. Huffman presented four crates of files and papers, saying they were needed for a wind farm application in Oregon. Then moments later he presented a small folder, of a completed wind farm project ready to build in Washington.

"I have to ask myself, we talk a lot about creating jobs, the governor talks a lot about creating, are we really doing it, or are the agencies marching against us."

Huffman was joined by members of both parties expressing frustration over the current application process within Oregon.

 

WATCH THE VIDEO FROM KTVZ:

http://www.ktvz.com/news/26487194/detail.html

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon House members say it's going to be an interesting legislative session, a time when lawmakers are going to have to trust each other.

As representatives were sworn in this week, some were likely questioning how the House members will get along with each other, as the House is split between 30 Democrats and 30 Republicans.

With the split comes another historic first: co-speakers of the House.

"I promise to work with each and every one of you, and with Co-Speaker Bruce Hanna, to help create a better Oregon," said Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay.

Roblan will share speaker of the House duties with Rep. Bruce Hanna, R-Roseburg. Each House committee will have co-chairs of each party, as well.

Rep. John Huffman, R-The Dalles, knows what getting along requires.

"I think we are necessarily going to have to negotiate and compromise," Huffman said.

When Democrats were in the majority during the 2009 session, Huffman still successfully passed 10 bills through the House.

"I think it's going to be the same this session," Huffman said. "I've been placed on committees that have a great need, and I think I was placed there because I get along with people."

Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, entering his fifth term, has seen a Democratic House, a Republican House and now a split House, leading Whisnant to wonder how things will play out.

"It's going to be a lot of trust factors, and it's going to be harder for my caucus," Whisnant said. "The Republican Party still has to pass things, because we don't control the Senate and we don't control the executive branch."

Gov. John Kitzhaber says compromise will be key for the state to move forward.

"Let us disagree, let us debate, but let us never question each other's motives or patriotism or love of Oregon," Kitzhaber said in Monday's inaugural address.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The state Senate almost unanimously approved a bill to require boaters, rafters and kayakers to wear lifejackets approved for whitewater rapids when tackling Oregon’s Class III rivers.

House Bill 2079 now goes to the governor for his signature.

Rep. John Huffman, a Republican from The Dalles, sponsored the bill. Huffman says he did so on behalf of law enforcement officials who have had to respond to countless emergencies involving people who didn’t wear life jackets when navigating whitewater rapids.

Sen. Ted Ferrioli, a John Day Republican, says he expects the bill to save money because communities will have to conduct fewer rescue and recovery missions. He adds that fewer missions will reduce the psychological toll on Oregon’s search and rescue crews.