Oregon Senate advances summer learning funding, Medigap changes and framework to pursue Major League Baseball; dozens of bills cleared

The Oregon State Senate on April 18 approved measures that provide new and ongoing funding for summer learning, change rules for Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance, and created a revenue framework intended to support a bid to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Oregon, while also passing a series of other bills on education, recycling, energy and health.

The most high‑profile action was Senate Bill 110 A, a measure that, as presented on the floor, would allow privately backed bonds to be issued up to a higher cap in order to support construction of a major‑league ballpark if a franchise relocates or an expansion team is awarded to Portland. Senator Jeff Meek (Senator Meek) framed the bill as a privately secured financing plan that “does not impose any new taxes on the people of Oregon,” saying bonds would be repaid from income taxes…