The Oregon House Democrats: Strong Leadership. Oregon Values.

"We are trying to change the tones in the state capitals-and turn them toward bitter nastiness and partisanship." -Grover Norquist, Denver Post, 2003 For 16 years, the Oregon House Republicans have followed the orders of Washington, DC Republican extremist Grover Norquist and made the Oregon House bitter, nasty and ineffective. They have ruined was once a respected institution of innovation...

» January 4, 2006 - 2 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

The 2006 Democratic Campaign for the Oregon House: A New Kind of Campaign. A New Direction for Oregon.

Our State Legislature, once admired for its bold initiative and innovative thinking, has sadly become one of the most notoriously dysfunctional institutions in Oregon. To most Oregonians, the Oregon Legislature simply doesn't matter anymore. Republicans have been in control of the Oregon House for 16 years. What do they have to show for it? Record rural unemployment. Record number...

» October 18, 2005 - 6 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

The Work Starts Now. It is Time for New Leadership in the Oregon House!

We need your help! Please make a contribution to the Oregon House Democrats campaign today, and help us spread the word – We must keep Karen Minnis from returning as Speaker in 2007! We need citizens from across Oregon to join us in this fight! On Friday, the Oregon House limped to its sad conclusion for the 2005 Legislative Session....

Read More: The Work Starts Now. It is Time for New Leadership in the Oregon House!

» August 8, 2005 - 28 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

Oregon Legislative Counsel: "SB 1000-A is constitutional as written."

I have received several calls to my office regarding concerns that SB 1000 violates Measure 36 and Oregon's constitution. Therefore, I asked Oregon Legislative Counsel to provide me with an opinion regarding the constitutionality of SB 1000. I received a letter, dated July 20th, 2005 from David Heynderickx, Legislative Counsel responding to my request. I have posted the letter...

» July 21, 2005 - 4 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

House Republican Leaders Choose to Leave the Peoples' Work Undone

During last year’s campaign season, candidates for the Oregon House promised action on a broad range of issues that Oregonians care deeply about, including the high cost of healthcare, fighting the war against methamphetamine, creating jobs and strengthening the economy, accountability in government, and funding education. After the 73rd session of the Oregon Legislature got under way in January,...

Read More: House Republican Leaders Choose to Leave the Peoples' Work Undone

» July 7, 2005 - 18 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

The Speaker’s so-called “Stable Schools Plan” is the “unkindest cut of all"

You remember the story from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Mark Antony finished his eulogy for the murdered Julius Caesar by jumping from the pulpit to the side of the slain Roman leader. He pointed to the wound that Brutus’ dagger made. He reminded the crowd that Brutus was Caesar’s friend and fellow Roman, a man who Caesar trusted most of...

» July 1, 2005 - 18 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

Five Proposals to Control Skyrocketing Health Care Costs: Tell us Your Opinion!

How does the rising cost of health care affect you and your family and your co-workers? What do you think of these proposals? Can you offer ideas we haven’t yet considered? Please tell us what you think! With time running out to take action, the Oregon House of Representatives has not yet taken up any serious measure aimed at getting...

» June 13, 2005 - 21 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

“It Ain’t Over till It’s Over”

House Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley is a third term legislator representing NE Portland “It ain’t over till it’s over,” Yogi Berra once said. During the past couple of weeks, the Democrats in the Oregon House lost a battle to prevent the Republican majority from cutting schools, but we haven’t given up. We’ll keep swinging, because the game isn’t over yet....

» June 6, 2005 - 6 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley

Welcome!

Welcome to the Oregon House Democrats’ Blog—an exciting new way to engage in truly open dialogue with the Democrats in the House of Representatives. In today’s hot political climate, information is everything. But it’s not enough simply to read newspapers, magazines and websites, or to watch cable news. Legislators need a way to participate in a no-holds-barred exchange of ideas,...

» May 23, 2005 - 12 comments - Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley