Jackson County Democrats

ACTION EVENT - Mothers’ Voices for Health Care Reform on June 25th! 

Join Mothers’ Voices for Health Care Reform on Thursday, June 25^th at 5:00 pm in Vogel Plaza (Main and Central in downtown Medford).  Stand together for health care reform that will give mothers peace of mind. This event, which coincides with what may be the largest health care lobbying day in Washington, D.C. history, is open to everyone.  Wear red in heartfelt support of health care reform.  Please bring a personal letter to Senator Wyden telling him why you think the choice of a public health insurance plan is important.  Senator Wyden’s Healthy Americans Act does not give us the choice of a public health insurance plan.

ACTION - NOW is the time to write Senator Wyden a personal letter.

• Health care bills with the choice of a public health insurance plan will be introduced by the end of June.
• Senator Merkley calls out Republican Minority Leader and “How to beat Health Care Reform” talking points!

Full Information on JCDP Web Site

Please bring a personal letter to Senator Wyden telling him why you think the choice of a public health insurance plan is important!

 Jackson County Democratic Central Committee Presents:

A Panel Discussion

Energy Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Practices for your Home

Thursday, June 25th

7:00 pm to 7:30 pm: 

Central Committee Meeting

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm:

Panel Discussion

OEA Building at

2495 South Pacific Highway, Medford 

(near Harry & David and the Grange)

The Jackson County Democratic Party will host a special non-partisan presentation.  A panel of subject area experts will discuss environmentally-friendly housing.   A question and answer session will follow the discussion.

In 2008, the average American spent $5,500 on energy.  Heating and cooling costs account for about one-half of a home’s energy bill.  Households that replace existing equipment with energy efficient products can reduce their energy bills by 30%.  There are numerous incentive programs that encourage green home building and green upgrades to existing homes.

Speakers include:

Fred Gant

- EarthAdvantage

Hattie Berg

- Blue Sky

Ben Reher

- Energy Trust of Oregon

Jason Zook

- LEED accredited professional Architect/Designer

Kerry Zook

- EcoBroker Certified Realtor

Moderator: Scott Lewis - NewsWatch 12

"The topic of eco-friendly housing is timely. There are now more options than ever before for purchasing a green home or retro-fitting an existing home", said Allen Hallmark, Vice Chair of the Jackson County Democratic Party. 

Full Information 

Tell your friends to notice this event on posters in your community and in your Nickel Newspaper.

It's our chance now to help a great man who has always been there for us. Let's be there for him.  As you may know, Dave is extremely ill with an incurable disease. He needs us now. His family needs us now. Please, would you show up at their side and attend the benefit concerts?

June 20 - 7:00 pm   and  

June 21 -  3:00 pm

at the Ashland Historic Armory

Tickets available at Paddington Station and Ashland Music Coop. Get them now as they will go fast!

To Everyone, Stonewall Democrats, Basic Rights & Human Rights Supporters and Equality Loving People Everywhere:

Dave Marston, director of the Rogue Valley Peace Choir and Ensemble, has always been by our side in our struggle for equality.  When asked to bring the Peace Choir to a vigil in January 2008 because enactment of the Domestic Partnership law was put on hold, Dave did bring them and together they led our community in songs of hope.

When asked to appear on a very cold February 4, 2008 at 8:00am outside the County Courthouse in Medford because it was time to finally celebrate the enactment of the Domestic Partnership law, Dave and the Peace Choir sang and celebrated with us.  

When asked to sing in protest of California's passing of the discriminatory Prop 8 in November 2008 , Dave, with just a day's notice, jumped at the chance to appear and sing songs of protest to you at Vogel Plaza.   

When asked to lead us in a candlelight vigil in December 2008, on a dreadful, cold and wet night, Dave said "we'll be there" and he and the Peace Choir Ensemble again led us in songs of hope for a better future. And when I asked Dave again to sing for us on January 10, 2009 outside the First Congregational Church in Ashland as their ministers performed weddings for loving same sex couples, Dave and the Peace Choir singers were there, with us, for us.

You'll find more info copied from the Ashland Tidings here, including how to send donations and messages of love.

Full Information

Medford School Board Meeting June 16th: 7 pm South Medford High School cafeteria.  There will be opportunity to testify regarding the revised budget.

Message from Karen Starchvick, Stand For Children:

"There is hope. Medford has taken an extremely conservative approach in their budget, much more so than other districts across the state. Medford is in the enviable position of having $10.5 million in funds which have either been set aside or left as unappropriated contingency in the general fund budget.

The stakes are high. Last week, 3 teachers were either transferred or laid off from my children's school, Jacksonville elementary, leaving 10 teachers to handle approximately 350 students. While the District response is that they will "add one back in the fall" (don't get me started on that practice), that still leaves 11 teachers for 350 students: not much better.

Information on JCDP Web Site

The School Board has it in their power to direct the District to use a portion of those funds to minimize the cuts to the classroom. It only takes 4 members to constitute a majority. One million dollars would save 14 teaching positions, and so on. The Districts reserves total 12% of the proposed operating budget, significantly higher than other districts around the state.

Medford members of Stand for Children endorsed a strong message to the School Board in a vote last week: one that encouraged the use of reserves to maintain instructional time and class sizes. Ted Willhite will be delivering that message on Tuesday at 7 pm in the SMHS cafeteria. Please come and stand behind Ted as he speaks for our chapter. Central Point and Ashland folks, we know its not your issue, but if you have the time that evening, we would welcome you."

The week of June 14th-21st, we hope you will join us as we put together and mail care packages to Oregonian soldiers and units in Iraq!

Dear Jackson County Democrats,

President Obama said, "I'm asking you to believe.  Not just in my ability to bring about real change--I'm asking you to believe in yours."  The Democratic Party of Oregon's second Values in Action event, starting this Sunday, is your next opportunity to not just believe, but to act. 

Put your Values in Action with us by showing your support and appreciation for our soldiers abroad--it's actually pretty easy!                   Full Information

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS RETREAT 2009 - 2 day retreat on the University of Oregon campus for Oregon youth ages 14-19 who are interested in leadership around sexual health and reproductive rights.  Full Information

ACTION - Your help right now will determine if the Oregon Solar Industry continues to grow or dies in a dawn of opportunity.  Please pass this information (in right column) along immediately to anyone you feel might have a stake in the solar future of Oregon.

Below are the Senate contacts working with HB 2472, concerning cuts to the BETC program.  Decisions will likely be made today and tomorrow.  PLEASE contact them immediately.  Thank you.

Senate President, Peter Courtney D-Salem
503-986-1600
sen.petercourtney@state.or.us

Senate Majority Leader, Richard Devlin D-Tualatin
503-986-1719
sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us

Senate Finance and Revenue Committee
Senator Ginny Burdick, Chair D-Portland
503-986-1718
sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us

Senator Mark Hass, D- Beaverton
503-986-1714
sen.markhass@state.or.us

Senator Frank Morse, R-Albany
503-986-1708
sen.frankmorse@state.or.us

Senator Chris Telfer, R-Bend
503-986-1727
sen.christelfer@state.or.us

Senator Diane Rosenbaum, D-Portland
503-986-1721
sen.dianerosenbaum@state.or.us

You can also write your own legislator directly by following this link:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/writelegsltr/

As you know, the current Oregon Legislative Session is winding down and there are bills pending that have a profound impact on the solar industry in Oregon. 

The challenge presented to our lawmakers is creating effective legislation that allows for the continued growth of the solar industry while making necessary adjustments to help ease the constraints of monumental budget deficits.  This necessity has unfortunately created a situation that could kill all commercial projects under development in Oregon as well as any future development unless critical action is taken immediately by stakeholders in solar.

As many solar programs like your own are reaching their first plateaus of development, the Chair of the Senator Finance and Revenue Committee, Senator Burdick, has introduced an amendment to HB 2472 that drops the Business Energy Tax Credit from 50% to 30%, it drastically reduces the dollar amount of the tax credit given and further reduces the value of the BETC by any Federal, State and ETO grant funds utilized.  The net result of this amendment as it stands will be that all present projects in development and any future municipal, educational and commercial solar energy projects will become financially unviable and die.

The solar industry needs your support in contacting Senator Burdick and the other Senators listed below to voice your concern over this amendment for a number of reasons that will have a direct impact on your project and your community as follows: Jobs, Federal Funding, Revenue, Identity...

Read Full Information

Action - Become a Precinct Committeeperson (PCP)

The 2008 general election and the election of President Barack Obama energized more people and drew them to our Democratic Party than any election in memory.  President Obama even won here in Jackson County where Republicans outnumber Democrats by several thousand voters.

The question now becomes: How do we build on that success and turn Jackson County "blue"? My answer is: By getting more Democrats to become PCPs and working together to make it happen.

Read More On Being A PCP

How do PCPs fit into the state and national parties?
"PCPs elect representatives from each county party to represent the county as part of the State Central Committee. The SCC selects the officers for the state party.
"The SCC also selects the DNC Committeeman and DNC Committeewoman. These two people represent the state to the national party, along with the state chair and vice chair. The delegates from all the states choose leadership within the DNC, including its chairman."
How you can become a PCP
If you would like to become a PCP and help our party grow, just call the Jackson County Democratic Headquarters at 878-1050 and tell the office volunteer or the answering machine that you are interested in becoming a precinct committee person.  We'll have someone phone you back very soon.  Alternatively, you can email me, Allen Hallmark, at vicechair@jcdemocrats.org.

I hope you will call or email very soon.  You'll be glad you became a PCP.

Full Information About Being A PCP

ACTION - Without fast action by lawmakers, the clock will run out on SB 628, and preventable foreclosures will continue to sweep the state. Oregon homeowners need your help now to pass this crucial bill. Call or email your Representative now!

Oregon lawmakers still have the opportunity to slow the state's foreclosure crisis and help keep Oregonians in their homes, but they're nearly out of time--and they need to hear from you.

The mortgage meltdown is affecting every corner of the state, upending Oregonians' lives, disrupting and destabilizing communities, and driving down neighboring property values. Senate Bill 628 can help slow this downward spiral by stopping many preventable foreclosures.

Right now, SB 628 is still in committee, and the clock on the legislative session is running out. Struggling homeowners--and our state's economic recovery--can't afford for this bill to die. Please take a minute to contact your Representative and State Senator and urge them to pass Senate Bill 628 before it's too late.

Full Information

In Dafur, lives still hang in the balance - When I hear reports from crowded camps where millions of displaced civilians struggle to survive, I know we need the president to do more. And he must do it now.

It's been three months since an international arrest warrant was issued for President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan—three perilous months for civilians in Darfur that have led us to a new and uncertain moment.

When President Obama took office at one of our country's most challenging times in a century, it was not a foregone conclusion that Darfur and Sudan would be among his top priorities. It was up to us to make sure they didn't get pushed to the backburner.

Full Information and What You Can Do

At every tipping point, every moment when it looked like sustainable peace for Sudan might slip off the presidential agenda, you came through. We pushed for a special envoy, and got one appointed. Not as soon as we would have liked, but sooner than would have been the case if we had not all pushed together. President Obama publicly reiterated his commitment to Darfur. And after visiting the White House and speaking face to face with him about Sudan, I believe that commitment is real.  But, the reality is that follow-through depends on whether we keep pushing.

Stacey Bannerman's Report from Capitol Hill

Stacey Testififed about Military Personel, Veterans, and Their Families and Their Heart Breaking Severe Problems.

"The women testified about their Marine getting orders for the next 
deployment on the very day he came home; children growing up without fathers; fathers so emotionally disconnected that they would never  bond with their kids; military families falling apart...

According to recent VA reports, approximately one-third of the adult 
homeless population served in the Armed Services...Male and female 
veterans continue to be over-represented in the general homeless 
population...

Sheila Casey, wife of General George Casey, who was in command of operations  in Iraq for almost the first three years of war said, "Army families  are sacrificing too much…we can no longer expect them to just make the  best of it." "   Full Report

ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK

Six Pilot Programs across the State

HEALTH LITERACY PROGRAMS  

for Head Start parents

Head Start locations are an ideal place to reach out to parents, and  House Bill 3041 has created a pilot program for up to six Head Start sites to implement a health literacy curriculum that shares information with parents about preventative care for common ailments their children will naturally pick up.  Oh those runny noses!

HB3041 - which has passed both houses by large majorities - targets a specific program, but the Omnibus HB2009 is where the main action is and Salem is moving fast!

Both California and Washington have limited programs to provide training to Head Start staff and information to parents about common ailments, such as colds and chicken pox. The goals are healthier children and reduced demands for costly emergency room treatments by making parents more aware of when and where to seek medical treatment for their children.

“This program will complement the work we’re doing this session to expand access to health care and control costs,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). “Health care reform is a top priority of our caucus and we’re making huge strides..”     Full Article

Speaker Dave Hunt's Statement on Oregon House Passage of Revenue Bills

June 9, 2009 

"Today’s vote was a difficult one for all the members of the House, Democrats and Republicans alike.  We face an unprecedented global economic crisis that requires every one of us to come together to solve the problems we face.

Today, we asked Oregon’s most profitable corporations and wealthiest Oregonians to be a part of the solution that helps bring Oregon out of this recession and bring greater long-term stability to out state.

Through the work of Ways and Means Committee, we have already made significant cuts in both the 07-09 and the 09-11 budgets. But we have done so in a way that protects the core services Oregonians require. Without passage of these two bills today, the cuts we would be forced to make would have severed that core and gone far deeper than we believe our constituents would allow." (continued right column)

Corporate Taxation: HB 3405, -6 amendments    

(continued from left column) "It is never easy to vote for tax measures. And I applaud those members who were willing to stand up for Oregon; to stand up for our children, seniors, disabled and vulnerable Oregonians who rely on the services we pay for with tax dollars.

Elements: establishes new filing fees for all business types, new corporate minimum tax, and new higher tax rate

Now we have a clear path to a balanced budget for 2009-2011. There are still plenty of difficult votes and issues ahead. But with yesterday passage of the expansion of our health care system to cover uninsured children, and today’s passage of these two revenue bills, we can finish our work and know that we are doing right by Oregon."

Full Article and Income tax changes as of 6.2.2009 to corporate and personal taxes

Sen. Mark Hass agreed to vote "AYE" on HB 3405, which raises nearly $300 million from Oregon’s largest corporations to help stop further cuts to public schools and other vital services.

The final vote on HB 3405 was 18 aye to 12 nay – which meets the constitutional requirement for a 3/5ths majority for passage.

Now the Senate will debate HB 2649, which increases the personal income tax rate on taxpayers making more than $250,000/year for a household and $125,000/year for an individual. It is likely to pass the Senate along party lines.

Here is today's Oregonian coverage of the House vote on both of these issues.

Full Information on JCDP Web Site

Thanks for your fabulous advocacy all this session. The success of both of these revenue measures AND a school budget far above what the Governor’s office predicted is in large part to the work YOU’VE done! A 5,000 person rally, personal meetings with your legislators, town halls, in-district meetings, etc., etc. helped keep children and public schools at the forefront of this debate. Thank you, thank you!

Standing with you,

Dana

Dana Hepper
Oregon Advocacy Director
Stand for Children
cell: 503.724.2611

dhepper@stand.org

www.stand.org

Of Continuing Importance

Health Care Action on Two Fronts - JOIN ONE OF THE ACTION RESPONSE TEAMS

to write letters to editor, call your Senator 

 "Let there be no doubt: Health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year." 

    … President Barack Obama

More Information

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED & APPRECIATED FOR OUR STANDING COMMITTEES

FULL INFORMATION