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Regional Journalism
Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Oregon Legislative Session Enters Homestretch

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Oregon DOT

Oregon lawmakers still have a lot on their plate as the 2015 session enters its final weeks.

Their target adjournment date is less than three weeks off, but lawmakers still have to craft the budgets for most of the biggest state agencies. That's technically the only thing lawmakers have to do.

But the House and Senate will likely take up a hotly debated measure to require all but the smallest businesses to offer paid sick time. Lawmakers are also hoping to finish work on legislation that would create guidelines for recreational marijuana, which becomes legal in Oregon on July 1.

On the other hand, each day that goes by means there's less of a chance for a wide-ranging transportation spending package. And lawmakers also appear to be taking a pass on raising the state's minimum wage.

While the legislature is aiming to complete its work by June 26, they have until July 11 to wrap things up before they run into a deadline set in the Oregon Constitution.