Oregon's medical marijuana program in recent years has seen autumn harvests so robust it scarcely resembles the modest enterprise approved by voters in 1998. Some of the world's finest cannabis is grown there, its pedigree sometimes compared to the tobacco used in Cuban cigars. The state Department of Justice polled seven sheriff's departments throughout the state last year and estimated that 40 percent of medical marijuana growers had violated one or more laws, most often growing too...

The governor also plans to ask lawmakers to raise the state sales tax, tobacco tax and income tax for the wealthy during the special session. O'Malley and other top Democrats have indicated slots are needed to preserve horse racing jobs and to line the states pocketbook as Maryland faces a projected budget shortfall. That was the message Friday at a final rally by slots opponents before lawmakers return to Annapolis next week to consider a slate of budget proposals that includes slot...

Poughkeepsie Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus is continuing his annual approach leading up to release of his annual budget for the next year by releasing dribs and drabs of the spending plan before unveiling the full spending plan. He says he is continuing to target funding to important health and human services programs for residents and families. Covering the Hudson to the Catskills! Dutchess budget features continue to trickle out. Copyright 2007 Mid-Hudson News Network, a...

Eichholz is asking village board members in Roselle to reject Tobacco Lounge's request for a place to puff on cigarettes, cigars and hookahs - even after the state's smoking ban goes into effect in January 2008. Village officials say opponents simply don't like the fact that a tobacco store exists - and has existed for some time - at that location. The requested permit would allow smoking in the tobacco store after the state's smoking ban goes into effect because it is a business dedicated...

No child, not one, will be kicked off of SCHIP or will be denied its health benefits because I voted with my colleagues to reject the program's massive and misguided expansion. In fact, I've even co-sponsored a bill that extends SCHIP for 18 months to give Congress -- Republicans and Democrats the opportunity to negotiate with the White House and develop a bill that works for the children and the American taxpayers, and not for the politicians and their photo ops. And, if Congress fails...