The Oregonian reports

In the latest twist in the state's effort, Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Hillsboro, on Wednesday proposed to amend a Senate bill to prohibit Portland from buying PGE unless it first obtains the approval of the county commissions within the six counties served by PGE.

"The people who live outside the city ought to have a voice," Starr said. "They need to weigh in; this would have a tremendous impact on them."

The line between politics and simple legal analysis is at the cusp here, on many fronts. It is great fun for those with training in economics and law. For others it is just a soap opera.

For me, I like to think that the battle for PGE is just a continuation of the Measure 29 PERS bonds to obtain financing of future calculated actuarial liability for the purpose of enabling the Oregon Investment Council to make a leveraged buyout offer on PGE.

Hidden objectives and slight of hand regarding law so as to overcome legal restrictions abound.