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!
Representative Dan Rayfield of District 16, Corvallis, Oregon, is organizing a number of forums addressing CFR, Campaign Finance Reform.
In the 2019 Legislative Session, the legislature made gains regarding campaign finance reform by increasing transparency and increasing access for voters. Oregon still remains one of five states without campaign contribution limits. More can be done.
A CFR forum by Rep. Dan Rayfield will be held in Eugene on Sep. 5.
7:00 – 8:30pm at the University of Oregon, Global Scholars Hall Room 123 –
1710 E 15th Ave,
Eugene, OR 97403
Facebook event
You can also contact Rep. Dan Rayfield for more details.
There’s more information here as well. There are 7 forums scheduled in Oregon. Perhaps you will be able to attend one.
If you would like to carpool to this event, let us know by calling [541] [672] [1914].
Join the League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley and Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (OADP) for the showing of the film, “In the Executioner’s Shadow”.
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 •••••••
The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley is a co-sponsor of this Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (OADP) event
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.
Thanks also go to our speakers, Joe Leahy and Bill Van Vactor, who traveled from Eugene to discuss a current ballot measure 10-159 – Changes Douglas County Government to “Home Rule” Under County Charter versus the current form of Douglas County government, general law.
Joe Leahy (on the right) teaches Local Government Law at U of O Law School. 
He was City Attorney for the City of Springfield and is Legal Counsel for the Springfield Utility Board.
Bill Van Vactor (on the left) was Lane County Legal Counsel for 15 years and then Lane County Administrator for 15 years. Lane County operates under a Home Rule Charter.
Remember to mail in or drop off your ballots by Nov. 7. Be sure to VOTE!
Links Galore!
Home Rule Charter proposal – http://www.co.douglas.or.us/clerk/documents/10-159HomeRule.pdf
Here are a few video links to a bit of last night’s information. Please ‘like’ the videos!
This is a link to the News-Review coverage
Our Facebook page
And here are some photos from last night, 10/17/17, too! Enjoy!
League of Women Voters of the Umpqua Valley 