Undone Dozen Update
Oregonhousedemocrats.com has received more communication regarding House Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley's post about the "Undone Dozen" than any post in this blog's short history. 90% of this communication has been extremely positive and supportive of House Democrats' efforts to promote bills that received bi-partisan support in the Senate. Many of you communicated your appreciation for Rep. Merkley's focus on a bi-partisan agenda instead of a narrow set of partisan proposals.
Here is a quick update on the House Democrats push to get these bills through the house.
Yesterday, Rep. Merkley sent this letter to the Speaker requesting hearings for the Undone Dozen: Download LetterSpeakerUndoneDozen07-10-05.pdf
House Democratic members were also heartened this morning by the Oregonian's editorial in support of SB 849, which would allow pharmacists to give women emergency contraception without a prescription.
We will post more updates as we hopefully move closer to a productive end of the 2005 legislative session.
Posted on July 11, 2005
House Democrats Staff
Comments
(Note: Comments are the views of their authors, and no one else.)
Posted by: The Negotiator - July 12, 2005 11:52 AM
You have to let them negotiate. And, oh btw, what is up with the eco-nut Matt Blevins vs. Schaufler/Boone?
Posted by: Jesse O - July 12, 2005 02:18 PM
Um, what are House Democrats doing, harrassing environmental folks who are trying to let the public know what pesticides are being applied?
That's really out of control. I thought we were the party of open information, of protecting air and water, not the party of shutting out the public, poisoning kids, and harrassing folks who try to hold politicians accountable. I hope that Schaufler and Boone can post on that subject soon, or House leadership can condemn the actions of Schaufler and Boone.
OEC doesn't do political campaigns. Hence, it's hard to imagine that Mr. Blevins violated any rules except shining a light on the crud that's going on in Salem.
Posted by: The Negotiator - July 14, 2005 12:28 AM
All I know is that I'm disappointed that the D's haven't come to the table and got this done. I think Schaufler is right on here, Blevins stepped a bit over the line.
Posted by: Tom Powers - July 14, 2005 11:57 AM
Action or inaction by lawmakers on issues relevant to constituents (including Oregonian lobbyists) is fair game for speech and publication, and while Reps. Schaufler and Boone certainly have the right to feel stressed out and complain to the Capitol Club, they may have underestimated public duties associated with public figures.
They both should concentrate on pressuring the leadership to commit to the 'undone dozen' and bringing SB 1000 for a vote.
Posted by: rinowatch - July 15, 2005 02:44 PM
OK, so the leadership caves in and allows vote on SB 1000.
What happens when it's defeated. The R's would be damned either way.
So what's the point?
Even the House Rino (Dalto) can't help.
Posted by: SJ reader - July 16, 2005 01:47 PM
Statesman-Journal.com is doing a "bills held hostage" series on the editorial page, with a bill a day and asking for suggestions on more bills.
Rinowatch may not like this,(or House Democrats, for that matter) but some of us are beginning to think the answer may lie in a non-partisan legislature.
Or maybe next House session will be 30-30 and we will see if House members can work together as well as Senate members did when they were 15-15.
Posted by: rinowatch - July 17, 2005 02:45 PM
Rinowatch knows of many bills held by Sen. D's with no intent of hearing. (already Passed House) No whining from here---knew this would happen in January. Name of the game.
No such thing as "non-partisan" legislature. Too many $$$ from lobbyists would create a brothel @ the capitol bldg. And you know who works in a brothel, right?
Posted by: MarkDaMan - July 18, 2005 10:58 AM
Some quotes from the righties...
"The fact of the matter is we don't have very many bills," says Scott, R-Canby. "There is simply not much to do."
"The Democrats want us to stay in the building," says Rep. Jeff Kropf, R-Sublimity. "They know if we do, some of us get weak in the knees and want to go home, and we'll sign off on any ugly spending bill that comes along."
If there is so little to do that they are taking vacations, can't they find the time to vote on these final few bills. Wheter or not they pass, at least they would finish their unfinished business. I guess it's more important to look out for 2006 than to actually meet the expectations of the voting population. The righties might think they are winning a victory holding up the remaining work, but just wait, come time to vote in '06 the people will speak out about their frustration with the 2005 legislature. Unfortunantly, I don't have the option to leave my work unfinished indefinitely and expect my employer to keep me on the payroll...do these house members really think they can get away with it too?
Posted by: rinowatch - July 18, 2005 11:08 AM
Didn't the D's just take a few days off? (are my sources wrong?)