Healthy Democracy Oregon Blog

  For Immediate Release A Win for Oregon Voters: How Everyday Citizens are being Re-Engaged in the Initiative Process Salem - On June 26th, 2009, Governor Kulongoski signed HB 2895, which allows statements, from a Citizens' Initiative Review panel to be printed in the 2010 Voter's Pamphlet. This encourages public participation and gives voters another perspective to draw upon when casting their ballot. The Citizens' Initiative Review will engage a representative panel of 24 Oregonians in a public review of a statewide measure on the ballot. Registered voters are selected randomly from across the state to participate in the panel. They will come together and spend several days hearing balanced testimony, asking questions and deliberating on the pros and cons of the initiative. The panelists then develop a "citizens' statement" that is published as a prominent new page in the Oregon voters' pamphlet.

Yesterday, with some great testimony from Representative Harker and Kappy Eaton of the League of Women Voters, HB 2895A passed out of the Senate Rules Committee and now heads to the Senate floor. Following the vote, Tyrone and I had a conversation about our early work in the Legislature.

Minutes ago, the Citizens' Initiative Review, House Bill 2895A, passed the Oregon House! The vote was 40 to 7 (unfortunately many of our co-sponsors were off the floor on other committee business). But the vote still reflects how both parties can work together to offer a proposal which can build trust with voters and provide opportunities for better quality public deliberation.  Now, with previous little time remaining in the session, we're off to the Senate to work the bill on that side. Despite the time crunch, we feel good about the Bill's chances. More very soon!

Good news for the CIR: it seems likely the bill will be moving tomorrow. Last Friday, Chair Roblan held a work session on HB 2895 and moved the -2 Amendments into the bill. However, due to the fact that a fiscal impact statement was not ready in time for the hearing, the bill could not be moved. We expect the fiscal impact statement to be ready for tomorrow's work session.