Oregon Governor calls special session, eyes Nike expansion

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon lawmakers will convene in Special Session this Friday.  Governor John Kitzhaber announced Monday that the session is urgently needed to facilitate a major expansion of Oregon-based Nike.  Nike says it is on the verge of an expansion of its Oregon operations that could affect the Northwest economy.

Kitzhaber says it would means thousands of new jobs with an economic impact of more than $2 billion over the next eight years. But Nike executives told the governor that other states would be just as happy to host the expansion. So Kitzhaber wants lawmakers to let him sign a contract with the sports apparel giant assuring the company that the state won't change its corporate taxes in the near future. The governor called it "an extraordinary opportunity." 

John Kitzhaber: "For a state like Oregon that has serious budget constraints, this is a powerful new economic development tool that does not require the expenditure of new revenue in order to implement it."

Legislative leaders from both parties have expressed support for the governor's proposal. It's the first time an Oregon governor has called a special session since April of 2006.

On the web:

Oregon legislature: http://www.leg.state.or.us/