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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Teenager struck, killed by pickup Suit settled for $55,000 in Murphy woman's death Bark for Life is Saturday in Phoenix Five-day closure, detour coming to Merlin interchange project in May 10 things to know for Wednesday Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Teenager struck, killed by pickup Emergency Services Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years Monica on the stand: 'I generally shoot my animals more than once' Five teens sent to hospital after crash near Medford Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Students participate in fuel reduction effort at Ruch School New funding formula awards universities for graduating more students Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Scientists: Over 143 million Americans live in quake-prone areas Uber to return — legally — to Portland Oregon lawmakers advance vaccine bill to budget committee Agency: Humpback whales' recovery is national success story Les Schwab descendant plans to close Central Oregon road popular with hunters Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Florene LaVonne (Johnson) Stephens Cheryl Ann Orr Karen Colleen Granman (Karr) Norma Lee Nicholas Genevieve Rose Truly Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Six locals selected for Les Schwab Bowl Judge OKs 65-year deal over concussions Thunder fire Brooks after seven years Bonds' obstruction conviction thrown out Mayweathers complicated, but united Varsity 541 College Sports Marshall stays with Ducks to get better Eckert, Beavers take series from Arizona Randall drives SOU into postseason Beaver fans get first look at Andersen, Collins Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Pro Sports Six locals selected for Les Schwab Bowl Judge OKs 65-year deal over concussions Thunder fire Brooks after seven years Bonds' obstruction conviction thrown out Mayweathers complicated, but united Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Jackson County's March unemployment rate returns to pre-recession level Ride & Drive: 2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country Burger joint coming to Ashland Real Estate News Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Letters to the Editor, April 22 Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Landgren cartoon: Tick season Granlund cartoon: Minnesota ISIS Editorials Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Letters to the Editor, April 19 Letters to the Editor, April 17 Columns Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Dana Milbank: America's new cycle of partisan hatred George Will: Don't seize the raisins Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Share your message to Mom Solid South Coast chinook season begins May 1 Community blog: What about Lucy? Tammy Kelly: The South’s favorite side dish — slaw Community blog: Steep, don't smother, chilaquiles in red chili sauce Food Tammy Kelly: The South’s favorite side dish — slaw Community blog: Steep, don't smother, chilaquiles in red chili sauce Page H. Onorato: Did you really eat that? Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Season Stepp: Learn how to cook asparagus with a few easy tips Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Home Help: 3 quick, easy kitchen and bath upgrades Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth Health Community blog: What about Lucy? Brent St. Germain: One year and counting Community blog: The Healing Power of Nature Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Britt adds Watkins Family Hour concert with Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple and others A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Moment in Time present 'Viejo con Nuevo' Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Britt adds Watkins Family Hour concert with Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple and others Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Dining Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter ... Teenager struck, killed by pickup ... Solid South Coast chinook season begins May 1 ... Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter ... Teenager struck, killed by pickup ... Solid South Coast chinook season begins May 1 ... MEDFORD Senate bill tabled after Medford officials object Bates agrees to alter bill to help attract industry to Medford By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 20, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 20, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Sen. Alan Bates has placed a bill on the back burner after Medford officials opposed it because it could hinder their ability to annex more industrial land into city limits. Senate Bill 931, co-sponsored by Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, would have continued a 2005 law that provided a 10-year window in which industrial properties couldn’t be annexed into a city. Timber Products, Boise Cascade and Harry & David have expressed concern that annexation would require paying additional taxes. Medford city councilors say they wouldn’t support annexation at this time because of concerns that the financial impact on the large corporations could jeopardize family-wage jobs even though it would have brought an additional $510,000 in property taxes to the city. Other fees and taxes that the city could impose if they were annexed could bring the total annual revenues to more than $800,000, according to estimates made by city staff. At the same time, fire districts and other independent governmental districts could lose more than $100,000 annually if the properties were annexed into the city. “These are absolutely shocking numbers to me,” Councilor Dick Gordon said at a recent council meeting. Earlier this month, Medford City Council passed a resolution opposing SB 931. Councilors called Bates to see whether there was any way to stop the bill. “The city opposes 931 because it takes control away from the city,” Councilor Kevin Stine said. Instead, the city wants the ability to annex these properties if it becomes more favorable for these companies to do so, Stine said. “We don’t want to annex these companies, but we do want the opportunity in the future to at least negotiate with them,” he said. Bates said the original law was designed to protect large companies from excessive taxation, which might force some of them out of the state. Companies such as Nike and Intel enjoy similar protections in the northern part of the state, he said. Companies in the White City area were concerned they would have to pay higher taxes if that city did in fact incorporate, Bates said. In Medford, the issue is somewhat more complex. Under land-use laws, if Medford wants to expand its industrial land base, it would first have to take in industrially zoned properties that are just outside its boundaries. To avoid having to bring in Harry & David and these other companies, Bates said he would alter the language in SB 931 to allow Medford to take in more light and medium industrial land than it is currently allotted under an urban growth boundary expansion. Medford officials told Bates they know of other companies that want to locate in the city, and Medford needs more land to provide the flexibility to attract these businesses. Bates said he would meet with officials from Medford, Grants Pass and Ashland over the next year to come up with the best language that protects business while being mindful of the interests of the cities involved. He said he would attempt to have the new version of SB 931 ready for the 2016 legislative session.  Esquivel said he was surprised at the negative reaction to SB 931 by the city of Medford. “It doesn’t do a thing for them,” he said. “We just looked at removing the sunset.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 20, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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