The deal-making went way past the need for organizing and closing down the session.

You weigh the sacrifice you put into it with the progress that we make, and the Legislature has not made progress on the big issues facing Oregon.

We cannot take the progress we have made over the past four years and put it in the hands of the most persistent and vigorous opponent of that progress.

Since 9/11, we have spent only $500 million to secure our mass transit system. That's a sum we spend every three days in Iraq.

It's tough stuff. I wouldn't advise the average person to think about this because it can put you at real financial risk.

We're pricing the average person out of the realm of getting higher education.