Oregon ranks No. 8 in freedom among states
June 17th, 2011
The Mercatus Center at George Mason University has this intriguing study: individual “freedom” ratings by state.
New York is the least free state, because of its restrictions on fatty foods and high taxes. (.) New Hampshire is the most free state, with gun laws among the most liberal in the country and middling regulation on marijuana.
What about Oregon? We’re No. 8 overall.
“Oregon is the freest Pacific state and the top state in terms of personal freedom. Moreover, Oregon enjoyed the greatest increase in freedom of any state since 2007 and the highest positive jump in the overall rankings (from #22 to #8). This was primarily due to big improvements in the quality of its court system, the enactment of same-sex civil unions, and a substantial decline in tax collections (from 9.7 percent to 8.8 percent of personal income).”
Read and discuss!
GOP U.S. Presidential debate: Check out local conservative bloggers on the debate last night. Ted Piccolo of NW Republican gives Michelle Bachmann high marks for her performance. Oregon Catalyst says Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney did best.
Cool Schools: The Oregon House helped Gov. John Kitzhaber fulfill a promise, by passing legislation to create jobs and retrofit schools for efficient energy consumption.
Psychiatric drugs: The Oregonian’s Nick Budnick writes about one way the state won’t save money this session. “Some 20 states restrict mental health drugs paid for by Medicaid. Not Oregon. And that’s not going to change in this session’s Legislature, even in a time of budget cuts and cost-containment.” We think “big pharma” is responsible.
Redistricting: Kitzhaber signed off on a bipartisan plan to redraw Oregon legislative districts. Few thought a divided Legislature would be able to agree on what has been a volatile issue, but lawmakers proved the skeptics wrong.
Cell phones: The Senate voted to close a loophole in the law that bans talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving. People caught talking while driving could claim the call was necessary for work. The Senate took steps to end that defense.
Disaster: A Senate committee moved forward on a measure that would ask voters to revise the state constitution to give the Legislature greater emergency powers in the event a big earthquake or other catastrophe makes it difficult or impossible for lawmakers to assemble in Salem.
Concealed handguns license: The Oregon House has sent to the Senate yet another bill to keep private the identities of people who have applied for or hold concealed-carry licenses. Democrats in the Senate are none too happy. Worse, they say this jeopardizes a bill to help domestic violence victims in Portland.
Sine Die: Jeff Mapes is taking bets on when the 2011 legislative session might end.
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Tags: Freedom, No Freedom
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