This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

The headline in this blog takes me back to my time as a state government lobbyist here in Oregon.

Technical language in pieces of legislation always is hard to read, written, as they are, by lawyers closeted in one of the back rooms at the State Capitol in Salem, Oregon.

To understand the words, you must be an attorney.

I came across another example this week.

Here is the introduction to Senate Bill 525:

“Directs Environmental Quality Commission to adopt standards prohibiting engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small non-road engines beginning January 1, 2026, unless a later date is required by federal Clean Air Act.  Directs Department of Environmental Quality to establish program to provide incentives for purchase of zero-emission small non-road equipment.  Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.”

So, what does this mean?

Well, I didn’t know until I did a little independent research.  The target of this language is to limit leaf blower equipment in urban areas, including Portland and other large cities.

Who knew?

The language left a lot to be desired.

Turns out the Senate Bill 525 is dead or at least dormant, perhaps is part because it was so clumsily written.

Good.

I say that from the perspective of one who sits on the Oregon Golf Association Executive Committee.  As written, the bill would have meant the end of most equipment on golf course to keep them open for play by citizens.

Other effects?

No doubt there would have been many for citizens, and small and large businesses.

One solution here would be to make sure bills are written to achieve the objectives sponsors want.  They allow them to rise or fall on their own merits, not clumsy language.