Lobbyist to the Legislature returns to work
Following a three-month leave of absence as a result of a stroke, government lobbyist Debbie Murdock has returned to work at Portland State.
Murdock, assistant to the president for strategic planning, public policy, and government relations, will be working on a half-time basis as per instructions from her doctor. Murdock suffered a stroke last November and the university was forced to find a temporary replacement for her high-profile position.
Dick Feeney, who has been filling in for Murdock in her absence, will be working with her, specifically to direct government relations’ plans and strategies. Murdock will work on policy analysis, writing and strategy.
The position of assistant to the president for government relations works to promote a Portland State agenda to legislators and other state policy makers. Discussion about the 2007-2009 biennium’s budget began at the start of January in the state Legislature.
-Stover E. Harger III
Interactive student session with Charles Johnson
The Multicultural Center is holding an interactive session with recognized novelist and MLK Day celebration keynote speaker Charles Johnson on Feb. 19 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 228 of Smith Memorial Student Union.
The event is free and light refreshments will be provided for those interested in having a one-on-one session with the acclaimed novelist, short story writer, essayist and cartoonist.
Johnson will give the MLK Day keynote speech later that night at 7 p.m. in the third-floor Smith Center Ballroom. The event was originally scheduled for January, but was canceled due to an unexpected snowstorm. Tickets purchased for the January event will be honored.
Admission is free for students and $5 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at the PSU Ticket Office (Smith Center, Room 102, 503-725-3307) or at Ticketmaster outlets.
-David Holley
Lottery bonds to fund some OUS deferred maintenance
About $18.8 million in lottery revenue bonds will be used to fund deferred maintenance projects for the 2005-07 biennium in five Oregon University System schools, including Portland State. Portland State will receive money for the PSU heating plant and Shattuck Hall renovations.
$30 million from other sources will be used for additional funding. The governor’s 2007-09 biennium proposed budget included $594.5 million for construction projects at university campuses in Oregon.
-David Holley
OHSU receives $40 million gift from anonymous donor
An anonymous donor has given Oregon Health & Sciences University a gift of $40 million, the largest in its 120-year history, to help develop a new medical school building on OHSU’s planned Schnitzer Campus on Portland’s South Waterfront.
OHSU officials said the gift is an important step in the school’s effort to curb Oregon’s declining health care by educating more medical students.
-The Associate Press
The top 10 consumer complaints to the Oregon attorney general’s office in 2006:
1. Telecommunications: 1,025-Includes cellular, cable and satellite service providers, internet providers, and long distance and local service.
2. Financial institutions: 761-Includes credit cards, real estate financing, commercial banking and credit unions.
3. Motor vehicle sales: 700-Includes new and used car dealers, and RV dealers.
4. Collection agencies: 483
5. Internet retailers: 469
6. Sweepstakes, prize promotions and foreign lotteries: 466
7. Health care: 432-Includes home health care, doctors, pharmacies and dentists.
8. Gasoline prices: 295
9. Internet auctions: 288
10. Construction contractors: 273
-The Associate Press