SALEM -- Oregon officials on Wednesday took a step closer to a deal to advance two of Gov. John Kitzhaber's initiatives that had stalled in the Legislature, but it remained unclear when lawmakers would take action.
The governor's office said House Republicans agreed to advance Kitzhaber's proposals to streamline early childhood education programs and to implement a health insurance exchange if certain changes were made.
"This is great progress and good news for Oregonians concerned about improving health care and education in our state," Kitzhaber said in a statement.
A vote on the measures wouldn't occur until last-minute details were worked out, said Angela Wilhelms, chief of staff to House Co-Speaker Bruce Hanna.
"It's not definite yet, but I am optimistic that we can see both of those bills move (Thursday)," Wilhelms said.
Even without concrete plans, it appeared to be the most significant breakthrough yet following days of negotiations. But lawmakers were still finalizing a budget rebalancing plan and remained stymied on foreclosures and Kitzhaber's final education priority.
Lawmakers blew past their original deadline to finish their work by the end of February.
The health insurance exchange would be an online marketplace where individuals and small businesses could shop for health insurance. It won the support from Republican leaders when Kitzhaber agreed to approve changes that would allow school districts to get employee health coverage through the exchange instead of a state insurance pool.
Despite the advances, there has not been a breakthrough on the governor's attempt to require school districts to sign achievement compacts with the state spelling out the results they're expected to reach.
Lawmakers will continue debating the measure, officials said. Sticking points include Republican efforts to add new standards for teacher evaluations and contract with private companies for some services.
"Our efforts in negotiations have been to try to give the districts some tools, because in many ways they're in a straitjacket financially. They don't really have control over their budgets the way an organization normally would," said Rep. Matt Wingard, R-Wilsonville, the deputy Republican leader.
The House also voted Wednesday to give a tax credit to ranchers who lose cattle to hungry wolves and to consolidate many of the state's business development programs that are spread through several state agencies.
State officials say Oregon has at least 14 adult wolves, and a pack in northeastern Oregon has been blamed for numerous livestock kills. The House voted 55-5 to approve HB 4005, allowing ranchers to knock up to $37,500 off their taxes if they can prove their animals were killed by wolves.
The House also approved a measure that would centralize economic development funds under a new Oregon Growth Board. Proponents, including Democratic Treasurer Ted Wheeler and lawmakers from both parties, hope HB 4040 can improve the business climate by removing bureaucratic barriers.
"It will improve how Oregon uses our tax dollars and our lottery dollars to help build an economy in which Oregon can compete on the global level and win," said Rep. Tobias Read, D-Beaverton.
Critics said state resources tend to become politicized and to help people who are well-connected.
Both measures go next to the Senate.
HB 4040, which proponents call the Oregon Investment Act, passed on a 59-1 vote and goes next goes to the Senate.
Also, budget writers worked on final pieces of a financial plan, said Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, a budget committee co-chair. They were debating the best way to back off on selling bonds for construction projects if the economy takes a hit.
Efforts to stave off the layoff of 12 Oregon State Police detectives were unsuccessful, said Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, a retired state police lieutenant. Lawmakers were able to reduce the layoffs from 25 to 12 but couldn't find money to shrink the number further.
