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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend November 13, 2006 Bates named majority whip Ashland Democrat assumes the fourth-highest post in the Oregon Senate leadership By Damian Mann Mail Tribune As Democrats take control of the Oregon Legislature, Sen. Alan Bates of Ashland will play a key leadership role in pushing through bills and keeping his party in line. The 61-year-old Democrat was chosen over the weekend as the fourth most powerful position in the Senate — majority whip. "For someone outside the Willamette Valley, it's good," said Bates. As majority whip, he will be just behind Sen. Peter Courtney of Salem, Senate President designate, Sen. Kate Brown of Portland, majority leader, and Sen. Richard Devlin of Tualatin, deputy majority leader. Bates, a Medford doctor, has been in the Legislature for seven years, the first four as a House representative. Advertisement His role as whip, which he will share with Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson of Gresham, will mean he is the go-to guy who manages how bills proceed on the Senate floor. "It'll be up to me to decide what bills do get heard and what bills don't get heard," he said. Bates predicts far less of the partisan wrangling that has dominated the past two legislative sessions. Surveying the changed landscape in Salem after the election, Bates said he notices many moderate and some conservative members among his democratic ranks. Despite concerns that Democrats might usher in a new era of excessive government spending, Bates said his collegues won't have anything to do with that notion. "That perception is wrong," he said. "Democrats have learned the lesson back in the '70's." He pointed out that federal budget deficits ballooned under the Bush and Reagan administrations, but were held in check during President Clinton's tenure. Still, he said, "We know we're being watched and rightfully so." Bates said he won't be discussing any significant new taxes, and neither are his collegues. The only taxes that are being discussed are on beer and cigarettes, and probably the corporate kicker, which will be put into a fund to help higher education. But he said there is no talk of tapping into the individual kicker. While there won't be any significant new taxes, Bates said the economy has been doing well, pumping more money into state coffers. As a result, he does think there will be a push to improve spending on K-12 education after six years where schools have been forced to cut back. Legislators will work to create a rainy day fund to help schools during a downturn in the economy, said Bates. Universal access to health care also will be a priority for the Legislature in January, he said. Bates said it should also help Southern Oregon to have a leadership voice in the Senate this coming session. Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point was named minority whip in the democratic-controlled House last week. "I want to take care of Southern Oregon, but I also want to take care of whole state," said Bates. "But I do want our fair share." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary