From now until Jan. 10, staff members at the Portland Development Commission will be crafting a new prevailing wage policy – a policy that some African American construction company owners say could hurt their business.
The formation of the prevailing wage policy comes on the heels of nearly 20 hours of debate and four public work sessions from contractors, union and nonunion organizations, PDC commissioners and others affected by an issue that has been plaguing the commission for years. The policy will establish when Oregon's prevailing wage laws – the laws governing how much construction workers are paid on public projects — apply on projects receiving PDC assistance.
The commission is also addressing the concern over the amount of minority business participation in the South Waterfront Development, calling on Hoffman Construction Company to increase the number of minority-owned businesses in the construction project. Currently, only about 1 percent of the subcontracting businesses working on the South Waterfront are minority-owned.

Portland Mayor Tom Potter is proposing five reforms aimed at dealing with street disorder, sidewalk nuisances and improving livability in Portland's business districts. The Street Access for Everyone proposal was crafted by a coalition of business people, homeless advocates, service providers, public safety officials and community members who met for four months. The coalition's recommendations came with the requirement that all five be implemented together.

The African Women's Coalition, a group operating out of Lutheran Community Services in Southeast Portland, provides social services to women refugees from 31 African countries. Formed in 2003, the coalition now has federal grant funding for the next three years and has succeeded in a long-standing goal to be run entirely by African women.

With the next session of the state Legislature only a month away, Gov. Ted Kulongoski has presented what he calls a "Hope and Opportunity" budget for the 2007-09 biennium. The budget calls for funding increases in public education, children's health, law enforcement and criminal justice and renewable energy research.

For Portland Community College, the governor's budget proposal means an estimated $14 million over the next biennium, compared to funding in the last biennium, noted PCC District President Preston Pulliams. Although the governor is proposing to put $483 million into the Community College Support Fund, it still isn't enough. The association is seeking $529 million for the Community College Support Fund — $46 million more than the governor's budget.
In addition, the association wants capital improvement projects at 14 community colleges, while the recommended budget supports funding for just 12 college projects.

The proposed state budget for Oregon Housing and Community Services programs could mean more affordable housing in Oregon, said Victor Merced, department director. Gov. Ted Kulongoski is recommending a $2.2 billion budget for the Oregon Housing and Community Services.

The Skanner newspaper was recognized for increasing awareness and encouraging blood and bone marrow donations among African Americans by the American Association of Blood Banks, in a collaborative effort with  American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services.  The award was presented at AABB's annual meeting gala at the Loews hotel, Miami Beach, Fla., Oct. 24. The ARC stated that "The Skanner newspaper has lead the way working with the Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Drive. The paper has participated in several blood and bone marrow events by running public service announcement ads and feature stories.

Jazz Vocalist Josie Howell sings to members of the audience Dec. 9 as part of the Seattle Center's Annual Winterfest.  Winterfest runs through Jan. 1 and features a variety of daily entertainment including a holiday train, ice rink and a carousel. For more information on Winterfest, see page 2.

Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday urged lawmakers to plow nearly $200 million into Washington's classrooms to help students who are struggling with math and science.
The governor's sweeping proposal includes smaller middle school and high school math and science classes, recruiting hundreds of new math and science teachers, offering master teachers up to $10,000 in annual pay bonuses and expanding tutoring and other help for struggling students. She also wants to beef up local districts' curriculum to "world-class" standards and then design achievement tests accordingly.
The proposal is a major new initiative in the state budget that Democrat Gregoire will send to the Democratic-controlled Legislature next week. The education plan is the first of a series of budget rollouts planned this week across the state.
The cost, $197 million, would come out of the state's budget reserves in the next two years. The state spends about $13.8 billion on the kindergarten-through-12th-grade system every two years. The state has 1 million pupils.

An immediate audit of health services inside the King County Jail is being demanded by two county council members following an ombudsman's report critical of health services inside the jail. Metropolitan King County Council members Julia Patterson and Bob Ferguson have introduced legislation directing the King County auditor to initiate the audit of Jail Health Services' medication administration and pharmacy operations.