The U.S. House will begin debate of HR1, the For the People Act, today! We need you to continue to urge your Representatives to support final passage of this legislation and oppose any amendments that would weaken the bills overall purpose: a stronger democracy.
Use the Capitol switchboard number (202) 224-3121 to call your Representative today! And tell them:
Vote Yes on HR1, the For the People Act
Vote No on amendments to weaken the bill or on a motion to recommit.
This sweeping democracy reform package is an unprecedented opportunity to put the power of our government back into the hands of the people where it belongs. The support of grassroots activists like YOU has pushed this bill to advance, we are so close and we cannot give up now! Call your Representative today!
Voters across the country voted for democracy reform up and down the ballot in 2018, sending the 116th Congress a clear message that the country is ready for bold, comprehensive democracy reforms.
And now, HR1, the For The People Act is on the verge of passing the House of Representatives – THIS WEEK the House will vote on this historic piece of legislation.
Call your Representative TODAY through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to vote to pass H.R. 1 – the “For The People” Act.
HR1 is the biggest democracy reform agenda many of us have seen since the Voting Rights Act. This bill will revamp our voting system, implement fair redistricting, and crack down on dark money in elections so that voters have a stronger voice at the ballot box.
We must get this bold, transformative set of reforms to strengthen our democracy and return political power to the people over the finish line but we cannot do it without your help!
Call your Representative TODAY through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to commit to vote YES on H.R1.
You are invited to an educational forum about Redistricting, AKA Gerrymandering.
If you would like to know more about this important subject that affects every election, please attend.
Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019
1:30 to 3:30 PM
Roseburg Public Library
1409 Diamond Lake Blvd, Roseburg, OR
South Umpqua Room
Here’s a link to a PDF that will fill you in about how/why it’s done in Oregon.
Link to why we do redistricting all over the country. It’s all about the national census that will take place in 2020, making the next census critical to redistricting done in the following year, 2021.
Here’s a great link to the Brennan Center information on the subject.
Please plan on attending this interesting meeting. The state League of Women Voters of Oregon will present a compelling case. Let’s hear from you, too!
This meeting is open and free to the public. Refreshments will be served.
The League presents “Sick Around the World”, a healthcare video.
Roseburg Public Library in the Ford Room
1409 Diamond Lake Blvd, Roseburg
Tuesday, February 19th at 1:30PM to 3PM
Four in five Americans say the U.S. health-care system needs “fundamental” change. Can the U.S. learn anything from the rest of the world about how to run a health-care system, or are these nations so culturally different from us that their solutions would simply not be acceptable to Americans?
FRONTLINE correspondent T.R. Reid examines first-hand the health-care systems of other advanced capitalist democracies — UK, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and Taiwan — to see what tried and tested ideas might help us reform our broken health-care system.
The video is 56 minutes long. There will be discussion following the video.
Friday, February 8th, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Roseburg Public Library Ford Room
1409 NE Diamond Lake Blvd, Roseburg, OR
This film casts a penetrating look at the consequences of the death penalty through three powerful stories – the rare perspective of a former state executioner who comes within days of executing an innocent person; a Boston Marathon bombing victim who struggles to decide what justice really means; and the parents of a murder victim who choose to fight for the life of their daughter’s killer. As the battle to overturn capital punishment comes to a head in the U.S., this provocative film challenges viewers to question their deepest beliefs about justice.
Following the 54-minute film, a discussion will follow. We want to know what you think.
Please attend.
••••••• Admission is free and open to the public •••••••
House Approves Rule Changes to Improve Transparency
The Oregon House of Representatives on Monday, January 14th, passed three rule changes in the interest of transparency entering the 80th Legislative Assembly.
These changes were submitted to House leadership by a bipartisan group of legislators: Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene), Rep. Sherrie Sprenger (R-Scio), Rep. Barbara Smith Warner (D- Portland) and Rep. Ron Noble (R-McMinnville). The group made these recommendations after close consultation over the past month with the Chief Clerk.
“This is a positive step to bring greater transparency to the business of the House,” Holvey said.“These rule changes are in the public interest and will provide Oregonians a better understanding of which legislators and stakeholders are proposing bills in the Capitol.”
The first will require all amendments submitted to policy bills bear the name of a member or stakeholder group. Currently, committee amendments can be anonymous (8.23).
Secondly, a change will require that all committee bills bear the name of a member or stakeholder group that has requested the bill. This will apply to all bills filed with the Chief Clerk effective January 22, 2019. Currently, there is no such requirement for stakeholders to be identified on any measure introduced by a committee (12.10).
“The cumulative impact of these two rule changes will eliminate anonymous measures or amendments when originating in House policy committees,” Sprenger said. “Transparency is not a partisan issue, and I was glad to see leadership take up these changes so swiftly.”
Additionally, new rules will require at least one hour must pass during the short session before the House can act on a bill that has returned with changes from the Senate. This change (11.01) will align the House rules with the Senate rules during short sessions, allowing more time to review measures prior to voting.
The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley thanks the people of Douglas County for their support and encouragement. We wish you all a very happy holiday season.
1st Talk Tuesday Time is held on the first Tuesday of each month. The next one is on Tuesday, Jan. 8 (the second Tuesday this time!). The Noon to 1pm meeting is held at 428 SE Chadwick. Come to discuss what’s on your mind.
Make a donation to support your local League. Mail a check to LWVUV, PO Box 2434, Roseburg, OR 97470.
Better yet, JOIN us! Here’s a Membership Form 2018-19 Final. We enjoy providing our nonpartisan unbiased services: candidate and ballot measure forums and voting information.
Please contact us if you have ideas, questions or comments. Email us at lwvuv.info@gmail.com or call 541-672-1914.
This year, on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, we are celebrating #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving – when charities, families, businesses, community centers, students, retailers and more will all come together celebrate giving and encourage more, better and smarter giving.
Who will you give to?
If you are a Fan of Democracy, here are a few suggestions ~
• The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley who provides candidate and ballot measure forums each election cycle in Douglas County, Oregon, and provides invaluable voter information throughout the year. The League does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Send donations to LWVUV, PO Box 2434, Roseburg, OR 97470.
• The League of Women Voters of Oregon who coordinates Leagues across Oregon with unbiased nonpartisan election information and an strong advocacy group that lobbies for everyone including the underserved and forgotten. The League does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Send tax deductible donations to LWVOR, 1330 12th St SE, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97302.
We believe that voters should choose their representatives, not representatives choose their voters.
Now that you’ve voted, here’s a subject we need to delve into — Redistricting or AKA Gerrymandering.
Join us on — Tuesday, Nov. 13th 7PM to 8:30PM at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg (375 W. Harvard Blvd)
Please join the League of Women Voters as we tackle a big issue: gerrymandering. With the 2020 U.S census coming so is the 2021 redistricting process. Come learn about our current redistricting process, how it impacts elections here in Oregon, and what reform could look like. There will be a time for Q & A as well. This is a space to talk about how we can move forward in advocating for fair representation, competitive districts, and a system that prevents abuse. Because we believe that voters should choose their representatives, not representatives choose their voters.
Join the League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley and 
Now that you’ve voted, here’s a subject we need to delve into — Redistricting or AKA Gerrymandering.
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. 