Republicans put the brakes on a second of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber's health initiatives Monday, delaying a vote on a widely-supported bill that would create an insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses.
Negotiations between the state and unions representing government workers are heating up over the state's demand that employees chip in part of their health care premiums.
A $48 million grant from the federal government to help Oregon create a health insurance exchange is endangered, and some Democrats say it's because of Republican opposition to the federal health care overhaul.