Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, will chair the Council of State Governments West – just not as soon as expected. A hotel labor dispute in California caused postponement of the annual meeting, which was scheduled for next week. The council likely will meet this fall, when chair-elect Hansell will take over the leadership from California Assemblymember Mike Gipson, D-Carson. Hansell already has steered the 2024 convention to Portland, a sign of support for the city. The last Oregonian to lead the council was then-Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan vowed not to disappear after losing last fall’s election to Democrat Tina Kotek. The former House Republican leader made good on that pledge, announcing this week the launch of A New Direction: “a 501(c)4 non-profit organization dedicated to connecting Oregonians with each other to advance policies and ideas that make Oregon a safer, more affordable place to live and raise a family, strengthen checks and balances, improve transparency, empower Oregonians and support the next generation.

Mindy Stadtlander is now CEO of Health Share of Oregon, the state’s largest Medicaid coordinated care organization. She held that role on an interim basis since January, when James Schroeder left to become interim director of the Oregon Health Authority. Stadtlander previously was chief operating officer. 

Candice Vickers is the new executive director of Family Forward Oregon, which advocates in the Legislature and elsewhere on behalf of moms and caregivers. She is the second person to hold that job, succeeding co-founder Andrea Paluso. Vickers, who is completing a doctorate in leadership and policy, has worked for several school districts, including Reynolds, Centennial, Portland and Molalla.

Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Dan Rayfield appointed the Joint Interim Committee on the Interstate 5 Bridge. Senate members are Chris Gorsek, D-Troutdale, co-chair; Brian Boquist, I-Dallas; Lew Frederick, D-Portland; and Lynn Findley, R-Vale. House members are Susan McLain, D-Forest Grove, co-chair; Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany; Kevin Mannix, R-Salem; and Khanh Pham, D-Portland.

Rayfield named Reps. Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, and Boomer Wright, R-Reedsport, to the Governor’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council. Wagner appointed Sens. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, and Suzanne Weber, R-Tillamook, to the council.

Rep. Lisa Reynolds, D-Beaverton, and Sen. Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha, attended last week’s White House States Convening on Child Care in Washington, D.C.

Vicki Walker, director of the Oregon Department of State Lands, was elected president of the National Association of State Trust Lands. Before becoming DSL director in 2018, Walker was Oregon director for USDA rural development and an Oregon legislator.

Allison Burke, state office manager for U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, was crowned Miss Oregon on Saturday in Seaside. She competed as Miss Central Valley.