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WINNERS
1. The Powell's Organizing Committee got some help
in its effort to unionize the bookstore's workers last week.
National AFL-CIO president John Sweeney wrote store owner
Michael Powell a not-so-subtle letter saying he would welcome
the opportunity to publicize the country's first unionized
online bookstore to the nation's 30 million union members.
2. Last week, Portland schools superintendent
Ben Canada became the first African-American president
of the American Association of School Administrators. Canada
has served two terms on the national board's executive committee.
3. Local online merchant 800.com hoovered
up what is reportedly a record amount in venture capital
for local startups. The Pearl District consumer-electronics
retailer announced that Paul Allen, Stanford University
and other investors would pump $16 million into the company.
800.com enjoys a big advantage over online competitors located
in other states because net shoppers from across the country
benefit from our nonexistent sales tax.
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LOSERS
1. At the start of the 1999 legislative session
charter-school proponents dominated the debate over
school reform. Three months later they've all but given
up on their proposal, Senate Bill 100. Unable to appease
Gov. John Kitzhaber and the state teachers union, charter-school
backers plan on taking their proposal directly to voters
next year.
2. When Maggi White sold Our Town
to Community Newspapers, Inc. earlier this year, she must
have known she'd relinquish some control. Still, Our
Town's editor and publisher looked sillier than usual
after a 12-page, full-color anti-abortion supplement was
inserted in last week's paper. In the current issue
White, who is pro-choice, confessed that she didn't know
about the paid advertising until her paper had hit the streets.
3. Weak-bladdered motorists are the latest special
interest to come under attack in Salem. On Monday the House
Transportation Committee pushed out a measure aimed at long-distance
truckers; it would create specific fines for anyone tossing
a urine-filled container out of a vehicle.
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