Who's getting political plums and who's getting their just desserts.

[April 12th, 2006] WINNERS

A one-day special legislative session next week gives grandstanding state lawmakers one last crack before the May primary to score political points. Heading their "we're doing the people's work" list: looking tough on payday lenders and sexual predators.

City Council candidate Amanda Fritz got an early Easter goody from incumbent Commish Dan Saltzman when he announced he'll cast the deciding vote in favor of upping city taxpayers' contribution to OHSU's troubled aerial tram project. Think that might show up in a Fritz campaign ad?

Don't turn out the lights yet on Gresham. LSI Logic Corp.'s outdated Gresham factory finally found a buyer last week: Arizona-based ON Semiconductor, which says it plans to retain nearly all of the factory's 500 workers.

Parents wanting Portland Public Schools Superintendent Vicki Phillips to slow down her proposed closure of seven schools have found allies with stones enough to stand up to the super. Four of the district's seven school board members have at least expressed concern about a timetable speeding to a May 1 vote on the closures.

LOSERS

A damning investigation by The Oregonian of Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Mannix shows the perennial runner-up has no equal in at least one area: manipulating political contributions for personal benefit.

Last week's Portland Tribune published a front-page story about how the rightful owner of an uncashed check was tracked down. Fine and dandy, until you notice the accompanying photo is so big it reveals check recipient Edward Hollenbeck's Social Security number, address and other personal info that just might interest an identity thief.

Sturgeon swimming in the Columbia River's chemical soup are being thrown into a sexual crisis. According to a recent study, the toxic compounds caused some fish to grow male and female organs. No word yet if GLBT activists will make common cause with enviros on this one.