Frank Morse steps down from Oregon state Senate

KOIN:

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — State Sen. Frank Morse says he'll step down from the Legislature next week.The Republican from Albany announced his retirement on the Senate floor on Friday. He says it's "time for new energy."Morse is halfway through his third term, which ends in 2014. He's known as a moderate Republican who worked tirelessly on legislation to create more stability in Oregon's tax structure, which is especially vulnerable to economic fluctuations. But he's been unable to convince the Legislature to refer a ballot measure that would eliminate so-called "kicker" tax rebates and replace them with a rainy-day fund.Linn and Benton county commissioners will choose a replacement to finish Morse's term.Democratic Senate President Peter Courtney calls Morse "the perfect Oregonian" and "a model of decency, goodness and professionalism."Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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