Two Republican Oregon State Senators who represent the Mid-Columbia are co-sponsoring a bill with Democratic Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney that would allow smaller Eastern Oregon counties more land use flexibility to help expand economic opportunities.  Senate Bill 2 allows ten counties, including Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties, that undertake economic opportunity analysis to designate up to 50 acres outside urban growth boundaries for industrial and other employment uses without requiring an exception to state land use planning goals.  29th District Senator Bill Hansell is one of the co-sponsors, and he says the bill would expand options for smaller rural counties.  30th District Senator Cliff Bentz is also a co-sponsor.  The bill is schedule for a committee hearing on Tuesday.