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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... LEGISLATURE State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News SALEM — The state Senate voted Thursday to dissolve Cover Oregon and merge the failed insurance exchange into an existing state agency. Two Republicans joined all 18 Democrats in approving the measure Thursday. It heads next to the House. The expensive failure of Cover Oregon's website was an embarrassment for former Gov. John Kitzhaber. It prompted dueling lawsuits filed by the state of Oregon and the software giant Oracle, which was the main technology contractor. The change is largely bureaucratic. Oregon would continue operating an insurance exchange under President Barack Obama's health care law using a federal website. The management would be transferred away from the semi-autonomous corporation that now handles it to the Department of Consumer and Business Services. The latter agency is subject to more legislative control. "I think of Cover Oregon sometimes as a zombie," said Sen. Alan Bates, D-Medford. "Every time we bury it, another arm comes striking up out of the ground, and I don't think this bill is going to finish that completely, but it's a step in the right direction." In a court filing, Oracle's lawyers raised concerns with the bill, saying the state is "engaged in an effort to change the law midstream." Lawyers for the state have told a federal judge that the bill would strengthen their argument against Oracle's claim of copyright infringement because the state is generally immune from litigation under the U.S. Constitution, but an autonomous Cover Oregon is not. Republican Sens. Brian Boquist of Dallas and Jackie Winters of Salem joined all the Democrats in supporting the measure. "I don't like any of the courses of action, but this is the best one," Boquist said.     By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501