Healthy Democracy Oregon

It's great to be acknowledged by others who share our goal of adding 'citizen voice' into the initiative process.

We're hiring an Outreach and Research Coordinator- details below.

A Reflection on Today’s Special Election

1/26/10

We recently received some fantastic news about the Citizens Initiative Review: the National Science Foundation has awarded a very generous grant to the CIR evaluation team led by Professor John Gastil.  Prof.

We're pleased to announce that Jack Roberts, former State Labor Commissioner, and current Executive Director of the Lane Metro Partnership has joined Healthy Democracy Oregon's Advisory Board.

Roberts brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen understanding of Oregon politics to an already stellar Advisory Board, and is looking forward to making a positive contribution to the CIR project.

The staff and board of Healthy Democracy Oregon heartily welcomes Fred Neal as the newest member of the HDO Advisory Board.  

Neal has held various government-related positions in Oregon over a 32-year period. He retired in July 2006 as campaign finance manager for the Oregon Secretary of State's Office, Elections Division, a position he held for 11 years.

Following the passage of HB2895, we've been getting ready for the coming year- it promises to keep us busy!

Couple of quick updates:

For Immediate Release

A Win for Oregon Voters: How Everyday Citizens are being Re-Engaged in the Initiative Process

Salem - On June 26^th, 2009, Governor Kulongoski signed HB 2895, which allows statements, from a Citizens' Initiative Review panel to be printed in the 2010 Voter's Pamphlet. This encourages public participation and gives voters another perspective to draw upon when casting their ballot.

The Citizens' Initiative Review will engage a representative panel of 24 Oregonians in a public review of a statewide measure on the ballot. Registered voters are selected randomly from across the state to participate in the panel. They will come together and spend several days hearing balanced testimony, asking questions and deliberating on the pros and cons of the initiative. The panelists then develop a "citizens' statement" that is published as a prominent new page in the Oregon voters' pamphlet.

Yesterday, June 16th, HB 2895A passed the Oregon State Senate by a vote of 23-7!

Great thanks and congratulations are in order for Sen. Rick Metsger, who carried the Bill on the Senate floor and had this to say about the successful legislation:

Yesterday, with some great testimony from Representative Harker and Kappy Eaton of the League of Women Voters, HB 2895A passed out of the Senate Rules Committee and now heads to the Senate floor.

Following the vote, Tyrone and I had a conversation about our early work in the Legislature.