In Salem, lawmakers are considering a bill that would study a carbon tax or other fees to offset air pollution in Oregon. The bill passed in the Senate on Wednesday and now is set to move on to the house. Senator Ja.ckie Dingfelder of Portland carried the bill:

"Colleagues- Oregon has been a leader in many areas- we don't sit back, we move toward innovation - this is what senate bill 306 does- it provides the necessary information to determine policy options and helps us address how we as a state will address climate change as we grow our economy."

It was mostly a partisan vote- the bill passed by 18 to 12 and only 2 Republicans supported it. Senator Tim Knopp of Bend voted against it.