At the Capitol in Salem, staffers have begun moving into the refurbished offices in the House and Senate wings. If the physical surroundings have any influence on the quality of legislation, Oregon can expect sterling results from the assembly when it meets in 2009.

The office floors have been laid out more efficiently. The wings have been rewired and replumbed with copper pipes. No more rusty water coming from the taps.

The offices themselves have been tastefully refurbished. The wooden desks in each are beautifully made - by Oregon's Prison Industries. It's a shame that artists capable of such work have done something else that landed them in prison.

It would be wrong to begrudge legislators their spiffy new surroundings. No, we should be glad that the 2007 session bit the bullet and ordered this overhaul, which was more than overdue for reasons of both safety and health. (hh)