Action – League of Women Voters of the Umpqua Valley

IP57 Ruling Appealed

Oregon’s Attorney General has filed an appeal against the federal court ruling on July 14 (see our webpage for details).

“Whether a federal judge can rewrite the state constitution‘s procedures for constitutional amendments is a question that goes to the heart of the state’s power to create its own laws,” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement Wednesday. “Any final decision made in this case could have long reaching impacts for the state and on future ballot initiatives.” (According to https://mooresvilletribune.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/oregon-ag-appeals-federal-judges-order-on-redistricting-bid/article_48446a06-2c9d-5bd1-99c3-d9fc75adf1da.html).

Also see:

https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/473812-383061-citizen-redistricting-petition-gets-a-little-more-time

https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-attorney-general-gerrymandering-measure-ballot/

Stay tuned for further developments!

Initiative Petition 57

The process for drawing congressional and legislative district boundaries has, for too long, been controlled by politicians. Letting politicians manipulate voting maps is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. Politicians in power shouldn’t be allowed to draw voting maps that benefit themselves and their party.

People Not Politicians proposes Initiative Petition 57 to reform that process and create a fairer, more transparent system. At its simplest, this initiative would create an independent citizen redistricting commission comprised of Oregonians.

This is critical to do it now! Redistricting only happens every 10 years after a census is taken.

The Secretary of State has agreed to accept petitions from People Not Politicians and allow the gathering of more signed petitions until August 17. Read the Secretary of State Bev Clarno’s press release.

The League of Women Voters of Oregon along with a coalition are working hard on getting Initiative Petition 57 on the November 3rd ballot. If the petition makes the ballot voters will have the chance to vote on creating an independent redistricting commission for the state of Oregon. Now the redistricting is done by the state Legislature, a group of politicians.

See our home page for more information.

Stand Firm

The League of Women Voters across the nation stands with families who have lost someone to police violence and protesters, in our states, our nation and around the world. Yet another unlawful death of a Black person is horrifying. As human beings we must all recognize the ongoing atrocity and continue to be anti-racist. We must listen to friends of color and learn more about our country’s systemic racism.

Please make it a priority to vote in November!

Time’s Up

Time’s up for mailing in your ballot. Either use a drop box or walk it in to the Douglas County Clerk’s office and drop it off there no later than 8PM on Tuesday, May 19. Note: There’s new procedures at the Clerk’s office, so check out their webpage. Suggestion: Call the office first at (541) 440-4325.

Participate in your Primary Election!

Last Day to Mail Ballots

Get your ballot mailed today to be sure your ballot will be counted. If you’re mailing your ballot, you’d better get it in to the Post Office by 3PM today.

Or you can drop off your ballot at a Drop Site Location.

Or you can drop it off at the Douglas County Courthouse Clerk‘s office in the hallway slot. If you must go in to the office, you must first call ahead to (541) 440-4325 to find out how their procedures due to COVID-19.

Community

It’s a wonderful thing when a community comes together in the face of adversity. And that is happening now in Douglas County, Oregon, in the midst of calamity and invisible disease all around.

<a href=”http://<a href=”https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/caduceus”>Caduceus Vectors by VecteezyMedical care service logo vector

Thank you to Oregon Serigraphics owner Stephanie LaFleur, and League of Women Voters member, who is providing a link between the community and the medical community. She has arranged to provide mask materials to sewists — like the Umpqua Sewing Warriors — to produce much needed medical masks for our warriors on the frontlines — doctors, nurses and everyone else working in healthcare to help those in need. Read about this endeavor in The News-Review account published on 3/25/20.

We thank all those who are tackling the coronavirus outbreak daily to help our county, state and nation to get through this. As for the rest of us — STAY HOME — if at all possible! And Sew!

Please sign up with the Oregon Health Authority to get daily updates.

Climate Change Top Issue

This is an Action Alert from the League of Women Voters of Oregon —

CLIMATE LEGISLATION IS OUR TOP ISSUE

Date: February 21, 2020

To: All League Members and Oregonians

From: Rebecca Gladstone, LWVOR President

Julie Chapman and Claudia Keith, Climate Portfolio

WE NEED SUPPORTERS IN THE CAPITOL DAILY

THESE NEXT TWO WEEKS

We want to be in the halls, in the House and Senate chambers, and in our legislators’ offices – making sure they know how important it is to pass climate legislation in 2020.

The Oregon Greenhouse Gas Initiative (SB 1530 and HB 4167 – identical bills) is broadly supported throughout the state. Thousands have submitted testimony and published opinion pieces, from public health providers, to your League. We recognize the urgency to address this Climate Crisis.

If you have legislators who might walkout over the climate bill, please contact them immediately to let them know how important it is to you that they remain to vote.

Find your legislators here. If you are uncertain of their stand on the Oregon Greenhouse Gas Initiative, thank them for supporting this thoughtful approach to reducing our emissions.

PLEASE JOIN US DURING THE NEXT WEEKS IN SALEM!

WE WILL MAKE SURE LEGISLATORS KNOW WE ARE COUNTING ON THEM TO VOTE!

Because schedules shift daily (even hourly now!), we encourage you to
sign up for “Get Involved” updates from Renew Oregon, for the most up-to-date information on what is happening in the capitol. We rely on Renew Oregon, the large coalition LWVOR works with on climate legislation.

Questions? Contact Julie Chapman, bugthewonderdog@gmail.com or Claudia Keith, cakeith1@yahoo.com.

FBI Surveils Southern Oregon Activists

We recently learned that those who have been vocal against the Jordan Cove Energy Project have been or are currently being watched by the FBI.

That surveillance includes members of the four Leagues of Women Voters in southern Oregon — Klamath County, Coos County, Rogue Valley and the Umpqua Valley Leagues. All activists, members of the League or not, should be concerned.

The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) sent a letter to the Governor and Attorney General protesting this action saying “… it is unacceptable for local, state, and federal law enforcement to surveil and intimidate private citizens—even organizations—as they exercise their peaceful right to express concerns about this huge project.” Read the full letter here.

Read The Guardian‘s article here.

The ACLU of Oregon explains how you can obtain a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request on yourself to see what the FBI has on you. Here’s the link.

Remember Alice Paul. Alice_paul.2jpg square

We Say No to LNG

Here are comments that the League of Women Voters of Oregon have submitted to FERC in response to the DEIS of the Jordan Cove Energy Project LP, Docket No. CP17-495-000 and the Pacific Connector Pipeline LP, Docket No. CP17-494-000 on behalf of four Leagues in southern Oregon.

The opening paragraph:

“Dear Ms. Bose:

We write representing the League of Women Voters of Coos County (LWVCC), LWV of Umpqua Valley (LWVUV), LWV of Rogue Valley (LWVRV), and LWV of Klamath County (LWVKC). We are grassroots nonpartisan, political organizations operating in the four counties in Oregon that would be directly affected by the construction and operations of the proposed Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas (JCLNG) and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP), commonly referred to collectively as the Jordan Cove Energy Project (JCEP). Our detailed review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this project shows that the projects are in direct conflict with many of the state and national League of Women Voters positions. These positions are based on study documents and consensus evaluations regarding natural resources, water quality and air quantity, climate change, offshore and coastal management, land use, public health and safety, energy conservation, and seismic risks.“

Read full comments here – 4LL LWV 2019 DEIS comment FINAL.

Juvenile Justice

Date: April 23, 2019

Action Alert To All League Members and Oregonians

From: Karen Nibler, Social Policy Coordinator, Barbara Ross, Corrections Portfolio, and
Norman Turrill, LWVOR President

SHOULD JUVENILES BE CHARGED AND SENTENCED IN ADULT COURT?

Justice prevails!! SB 1008 changes the criminal code to keep juveniles charged with criminal offenses in the realm of the Juvenile Court except for waiver hearings on serious person to person offenses. It also does not allow for sentences of life without parole for youth who commit offenses before 18. Second Look after half of sentence is served and/or Transfer to the Department of Corrections will have hearings and can result in parole release.

We all recognize that juveniles are impulsive and react quickly without thinking through the consequences. This bill takes into consideration immaturity and other factors in the life of a juvenile when sentenced for a serious offense. We think it is wise to consider the factors influencing juvenile behavior and the potential for learning and rehabilitation.

The Senate has already passed this bill 20 to 10 votes. Please contact your representative in the House. The House Judiciary will hear this bill on April 24 and most likely will send it to the House floor for a vote. It has to have a 2/3 vote to pass and change the law, as required by the Measure 11 constitutional amendment. Reaching all representatives is critical to let them know we want to keep juveniles in the Juvenile system.

Please e-mail or call your representative. Contact info is on the Oregon Legislative System. Thank you for adding your voice!

For more information, contact Karen Nibler at niblerk@comcast.net or Barbara Ross at bross7017@gmail.com. Both of them would be happy to exchange comments.