Tag: Action

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?gif_law_justice_001-w2

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.

Call About HR 1 Today!

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! 

EMPOWERING VOTERS. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.
U.S. HOUSE WILL VOTE ON HR1 THIS WEEK!
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.

Yours in the fight!

P.S. Don’t want to call? Send an email using our action tool instead!

The League and No LNG

The state League of Women Voters of Oregon, along with four local Leagues, Rogue Valley, Klamath Falls, Coos County, and Umpqua Valley, submitted comments on August 15, 2018 requesting denial of all permitting applications.1532567086475

The League of Women Voters of Oregon —

 “believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health.” The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) “. . . opposes degradation of all of Oregon’s surface and ground water. . . .” and declares that climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our generation. 

We must protect the natural resources we have now. We must stand in solidarity!

Please read the League’s complete comments here.

 

And They Stood Up!

There are activists in Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon. And they stood up for what they know is right!

Keep families together! We must continue to voice our outrage at what’s going on at the border to children and families. It’s not over yet.

The News-Review recapped the protest event that took place on Sat., June 30, 2018 here.

Melt-ICE

Martin Luther King Day of Service

Today marks an American federal holiday, the celebration of the birthdate of a great American, Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year the holiday actually lands on his birthday, Jan. 15. Otherwise, the day is scheduled to be celebrated on the 3rd Monday in January.MLK-Jr-quote

Martin Luther King, Jr., did so much for our nation, in speaking out about injustice, equality, and dignity for all. He gave his life. We owe him much for where we are now as Americans. We need to keep going, speaking out for all people, especially those who have no voice, no power.

This day is known as a day of citizen action and participation in our communities, and as a day of citizen engagement in our democracy in the United States and around the world. Other countries celebrate King as well.

Please join the League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley in honoring King’s memory and life today.

 

Call Your Senators ASAP!

H.R.38 – Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017

HR 38 passed the United States House of Representatives yesterday. This is a dangerous bill, and it is on its way to the Senate.

It’s imperative you call your Senators today.

  • Senator Merkley’s Washington D.C. Office –> Phone: (202) 224-3753
  • Senator Wyden’s Washington D.C. Office –> (202) 224-5244

Here’s a link to the text of the bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/38/text

Why, You ask? Read this letter by a League member to Rep. DeFazio:

My name is Sandra Huffstutter, I live in Roseburg, Oregon, and I’m calling today to urge Congressman DeFazio to NOT SUPPORT reciprocal approval of out-of-state concealed carry permits.

I believe that reciprocal approval is a bad idea because a number of other states do not have the kind of sensible public safety restrictions on gun ownership and use that Oregon has.

For example, Oregon is one of only nine states that require universal background checks at point-of-sale for ALL gun purchases, including purchases at gun shows. Why would Oregon want to allow someone from another state who has never passed a background check to carry a concealed weapon in Oregon?

In addition, only half the states in the United States require concealed carry permit holders to have ANY live-fire training, with mandatory range time. Why would Oregon want to allow a gun-owner who has never practiced shooting the ability to carry a concealed weapon and engage in a live-fire situation on the streets of Oregon?

Finally, thanks to our last legislative session, Oregon is now one of only five states that allow families of emotionally disturbed gun owners to obtain an “Extreme Risk Protective Order” requiring emotionally disturbed family members to surrender their guns until their mental health crisis is resolved. Why would Oregon want to allow out-of-staters suffering mental breakdowns to carry concealed weapons while traveling in our state?

Reciprocal approval of out-of-state concealed carry permits will make Oregonians — who benefit from our state’s sensible gun safety laws — much, much less safe.

Please Call Today!

League Reacts to Pence-Kobach Election Commission

The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) has issued a statement that says …

“Democracy only works when people stand up and vote. The League of Women Voters urges the American people not to be intimidated by this Commission: stay enrolled and encourage others to register to vote.

“Our elections have integrity. This Commission does not.”

For the full statement, visit the LWVUS’s website here.

Contact your senators and representatives today and let them know what you think.

To find your Oregon representatives’ contact information, visit this page.