May 04, 2003
Legislating In Oregon
Might as well check in with what the Oregon legislature has been up to this session, in the midst of a crumbling economy and disintegrating public school system. First there's this urgent issue which at long last has been addressed:
A bill that recognizes professional wrestling as strictly entertainment -- not a sport -- clears the way for an exhibition later this month.
The bill bars pro wrestlers from hitting with clenched fists, gouging eyes, pulling hair or whiskers, deliberate elbowing, twisting or pulling ears and flying through the air and landing on opponents.
The bill passed by a 20-3 vote in the Senate on Friday. Gov. Kulongoski did not advocate for the bill, but will sign it now that it has passed, said his spokeswoman Mary Ellen Glynn.
Hold on, that's not all. They've also taken care of a plethora of other matters sure to garner the utmost respect from the Oregon electorate:
Legislators this year have passed resolutions honoring Dutch resistance fighters in World War II, proclaiming Feb. 6 as Ronald Reagan Day, and supporting a bid by Vancouver, British Columbia, to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.
But wait, there's more:
-- Repeal a voter-enacted plan to provide annual adjustments in Oregon's minimum wage for some of the state's lowest-paid workers.
-- Require a woman to wait 24 hours before having an abortion.
-- Allow hunters to use dogs to sniff out cougars, a move aimed at overturning a 1994 voter-approved ban on the practice.
-- Create a new definition of "science" to be used in formulating state laws and policies on natural resources. The cattle industry is pushing for the bill to relax environmental laws the industry considers too restrictive.
-- Repeal Oregon's motorcycle helmet law. Riders 21 and older no longer would have to wear protective headgear under the bill.
Of course, if the alternative is trying to pass legislation which undermines Oregon's so-called 181 laws, or creates on overly-broad definition of terrorism, maybe we're better off with them whiling away their time on the items listed above.
It'd be nice to have a better third option, though.