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ROP Fall 2005
Newsletter
Demanding
Accountability
The 2005
Legislative Session came to a close in the wee hours of the morning
on August 5. It was a long
and frustrating session characterized by gridlock, a lack of substantial
progressive leadership (with a few notable exceptions), and victories
marked more by what was defeated than what was passed.
Harmful bills that would have lowered the minimum wage, denied
farm workers collective bargaining rights, limited a woman’s right to
choose, denied drivers licenses to undocumented workers, increased
mandatory minimum sentencing, and denied adoption rights to same sex
couples were defeated or left to die in committee. These victories were a direct result of grassroots lobbying
efforts – testimony, letters, and phone calls – that demanded our
representatives stand up for rural democratic values. Unfortunately, many of our legislators choose not too listen
to us as we were drowned out by the roar of corporate lobbyists.
Most notably were the revenue giveaways and corporate tax
loopholes totaling more than $287 million that were considered this
session. Most of these
bills did not pass, but many of our representatives choose to support
corporate interests over our schools, healthcare, and other vital human
services.
At ROP our
legislative work is one tool that we use to create a more just and
democratic world.
So, what do we do when our elected officials take us for a ride?
They promise to work for the children, the seniors, the poor and
working families – and then they vote for tax cuts for the wealthy and
slash funding for education and healthcare.
Well, to start with, we find out about it.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that we can open the paper and read
about how our elected officials have betrayed the public trust – those
of them that have. So, we
do the research on their voting records and then we figure out how we
can get the word out locally in our own community.
One example of this is in rural Marion County, where ROP member
group PALS has taken on a campaign to expose the poor voting and
attendance record of their state representative.
Through a letter to the editor campaign they are exposing the
representative’s voting record and calling for a change in leadership.
At every turn, they are meeting him with questions and a call to
accountability. At the same
time, they are looking for someone who can run against the incumbent
representative and at least change the debate, if not win.
If you are wondering what concrete steps you can take to move your local
group’s accountability strategy along, consider the following.
1. Expose Reality! Email
ROP at amy@rop.org for links to voting
records of your legislator. Or
visit the Legislative Action page of the ROP website www.rop.org.
2. Recruit Candidates to run for office!
Election 2006 is not that far away and there will be many city
and county and state level offices open.
Oregon’s candidate filing deadline for the May primary is March
7. Contact your local
county elections division for information on local races.
For more information, visit www.sos.state.or.us.
3. Demand accountability! Ask for support from ROP to help develop your human dignity
group’s plan.
Next Edition of STAND: Preview
of 2006 Elections: What to Expect and Actions You Can Take
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