Stuff to do on New Years Eve

What to do in Astoria on New Years Eve....

by Tryan Hartill

Quite a few things going on the next couple of days for a town our size.

Before I get to New Years, there are a couple of other notable events coming prior.

• On Saturday the 29th, a band out of Salem called HooDoo Johnson will be at the Rouge on 39th at 9pm. Here is their web page. Bring a can of food to get in

• On Sunday the 29th, Portland Wrestling is coming to the Astoria Events Center. It will be about an hour long and starts at 8pm. Tickets are $10 and up

• Also on Sunday, Blond Assassin will be performing at the Fort George at 8pm. They are a Punk type band out of Salt Lake City. Have a listen here. Free

New Years Eve!

• For those under 21, Level 2 Youth Club is hosting a New Years Eve 80’s party. They located in the basement of the Moose Lodge on 17th. $2 cover

• Barney Perine will be performing at the 12th Street Bistro. No cover and all tip go to charity

• Bond Street Blues will be playing at the Astoria Events Center at 9:30. This is a “Black and White Ball” where everyone is asked to wear black, white or black and white. $12 Pre-Sale and $15 at the door

• Shannon and the Cannons will be at the VooDoo starting at 10:30pm with a DJ prior. They always put on a great show and have a very devoted following. $5 cover

• The Gokkers, a group out of Portland will be at Fort George Brewery starting at 10pm. Have a listen here. Free

If you know of any other events, please let other readers know by posting them in the comments.

I will update if I come across any more…...

New Teen License and Drunk Driving Laws For Oregon 2008

New Oregon Laws..January 1st 2008

by Tryan Hartill

Here is a short overview of some of the laws that will take effect on January 1st 2008.

Domestic Partnership

In May 2007 Ted Kulongoski signed the Oregon Family Fairness Act. Which will allow same sex couples to establish a Domestic Partnership. This Act will give same sex couples most of the rights as Married Couples, although no ceremony is required. In September, groups that wanted to overturn the Act failed to turn in the 55,000 necessary signatures for it to appear on the November ballot. Couples can file forms with county clerks starting Jan. 2. Also related is HB2, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Minors Behind The Wheel

Other laws starting January 1st involve younger drivers. Next week it will be illegal for anyone under 18 to use a cell phone while driving. Max fine is $90. Also going into effect will be HB 2148, which increases the penalty when a minor is convicted of possessing alcohol while driving. And HB 2147, which says that anyone under 21 can have their drivers license suspended for a MIP conviction.

Also worth noting is Washington’s text message ban. On Tuesday it will be illegal for all folks who drive on Washington roads to text message. Although this is a secondary offense (cannot be pulled over for it) it carries a fine of $101. A full ban on cell phone use (without a hands-free device) will take effect July of 2008.

Drunks Behind The Wheel

Starting in 2008, 1st time drunk driving offenders will be required to install and use a ignition interlock device for one year and for 2 years after their second conviction. Ignition interlock systems cost about $2 a day, plus installation and removal fees.
Also a new crime will be on the books, aggravated vehicular homicide. This relates to a person who is convicted of a second vehicular homicide while intoxicated and carries a minimum 20 year sentence. Also going into effect is a law that sends someone to prison for 7 1/2 years if they are convicted twice of seriously injuring someone while driving under the influence.

Other laws related to driving can be found here.

At the Workplace

The minimum wage will rise to $7.95 and is the smallest jump in 3 years. We will go from the second highest in the nation to the 4th.

Senate Bill 248 will limit non-competition agreements.

SB 583 imposes the toughest workplace security laws in the nation. Every Oregon employer who keeps personal information must:

• Designate a security officer
• Conduct a risk assessment
• Assess the safeguards in place to manage the risks
• Train employees in security policies and procedures
• Require by contract that service providers maintain adequate security (note the connection to the trend discussed above)
• Adjust the security program over time to meet changing circumstances
• Implement adequate physical and technical safeguards
• Properly dispose of personal information

More new workplace laws can be found here and some free legal advice on the new laws can be found here.

Odds and Ends

Other Laws:

HB 2513 prohibits gift cards that expire.

SB 431 prohibits landlords from having motor vehicles towed without notice except under special circumstances.

HB 2163 requires all cigarettes sold in Oregon to be fire safe.

SB 10 restricts officials from receiving more than $50 gifts and addresses other Government ethics issues.

The Department of Land Conservation and Development will start sending notices to Measure 37 filers.

Have a safe and prosperous 2008 (Without breaking any laws of course…)

Click to give this article an “Up or Down” Vote.

Oregon Beer tax........Goodie!

Or "Malt Beverage Cost recovery Fee"

Yep…..you read it right. It’s not a beer tax but a “Recovery Fee” for beer sold in Oregon. OK…..

With all the "fluff" out of Salem these days, I'm surprised it's not the "2007 Save Liver Control Act For The Kids"

Some of the highlights:

• Imposes a $32 per barrel tax on beer.

• Takes Oregon from 45th in beer taxes to 1st.

• Only applies when the producer makes over 125,000 barrels per year.
• Full Sail and Deshutes each make over 150,000.

• Tax will adjust for inflation.

• Will cost a “dime a drink”... drink beer and pay 10 cents for the tax.
• Most likely will violate the Commerce Clause because of the 125,000 cut-off.

Where The Money Goes

The money raised will be about $80 million per year and with inflation adjustments will rise about 3% per year. Around 40% will go to the State for Alcohol and Drug programs and policing. The remaining 60% will go to local taxing entities in 7.7% increments. Some to cities, some to counties, some for drug abuse, some for housing and so on.

Now I am not totally against a beer tax, it has been very low because Oregon was a “Producer State” when Henry’s was pumping out large amounts of beer. And probably needs to be raised to pay for some of the drain it puts on State programs.

But the size and scope of this tax is absolute insanity. Most of this tax is going to be used for things that have nothing to do with beer. Drugs and Drug Court? Mental Health? Why should a beer drinker have to pay for all this?