Healthy Democracy Oregon Blog

  • Citizens' Initiative Review to evaluate Ballot Measures 82 and 85
    admin
    August 3, 2012

    The two panels of 24 randomly selected and demographically balanced voters will hear arguments for and against the measures and call upon subject-area experts during the five-day public review. The panels will review Ballot Measures 82 and 85. Measure 85 proposes allocating revenue from corporate income and excise tax “kicker” refunds to the general fund for K-12 public education. Measure 82 amends the state constitution to authorize privately owned casinos.

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  • Citizens across Oregon selected to review Ballot Measures
    admin
    August 1, 2012

    News Release from: Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA)

    Posted: August 1st, 2012 10:20 AM

    Panels' Findings To Be Published in Voters' Pamphlet

    Salem - Healthy Democracy, a nonprofit organization working on behalf of the Oregon Citizens' Initiative Review Commission, announced today two panels of voters from diverse perspectives and communities across Oregon that will meet in August to examine two November statewide ballot measures as panelists for the legislatively mandated Citizens' Initiative Review (CIR).

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  • Measures selected for August 2012 Citizens' Initiative Reviews
    admin
    July 18, 2012

    Oregon’s state-appointed Citizens’ Initiative Review Commission (CIRC) has selected two measures for review prior to the November election.

    Initiative Petition 35 proposes allocating corporate income/excise “kicker” refunds to fund kindergarten through 12th-grade public education. Initiative Petition 36 would allow establishment of privately owned casinos. The review of IP 36 will include an examination of IP 38, a related statutory measure that would allocate a percentage of casino revenue to a state fund.

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  • Tony Iaccarino Appointed Policy and Projects Director
    admin
    July 10, 2012

    Tony Iaccarino has been appointed to the newly-created position of Policy and Projects Director for Healthy Democracy.  Iaccarino comes to Healthy Democracy from the City Club of Portland, where he served as the Club’s Research and Policy Director.

    “Tony brings a wealth of talent and experience to this organization,” said Tyrone Reitman, Executive Director, Healthy Democracy.  “We’re very excited to have him on-board.”

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  • HDO Presents on "Authentic Community Engagement"
    admin
    November 8, 2011

    On November 3, Healthy Democracy presented at the 2011 Civic Engagement Conference in Salem, Oregon. HDF enjoyed an intimate conversation with the audience about the CIR, with great questions and discussion.

    The event’s theme was Authentic Community Engagement: Transforming and Inspiring Oregon Communities. With this in mind, Healthy Democracy presented on the Citizens’ Initiative Review (CIR).

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  • HDO Advisors Keisling and Paulus Receive Legend Award
    admin
    October 20, 2011

    Congratulations to Phil Keisling and Norma Paulus, 2011 recipients of the Bus Project’s Legend Award.
    Phil and Norma are both on the advisory committee to Healthy Democracy Oregon, and have a long history of working to improve the democratic process for Oregonians.

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  • Ballot Measure Round-Up: 2012 is Getting Interesting
    admin
    October 13, 2011

    Welcome to HDO's Ballot Measure Round-Up! In this series, we explore the initiative process and the prospective measures that may be put to vote in the 2012 election.

    Since 1902, Oregon voters have had the power to enact new laws, change existing laws, or amend the Oregon Constitution through initiatives and referendums. Any citizen, acting individually or on behalf of an organization, may sponsor initiatives.

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  • Healthy Democracy Co-Hosts International Delegation
    admin
    October 13, 2011

    Last month, an international delegation of leaders in the field of direct democracy toured Western states to learn more about the ballot intiative process in the United States. Their final stop was Oregon, where they showed particular interest in learning about our innovative Citizens' Initiative Review.

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  • Governor Holds Ceremonial Signing for Historic CIR Bill
    admin
    October 13, 2011

    July 21st, 2011


    Salem, Ore.  Governor Kitzhaber held a ceremonial signing in his office Thursday for House Bill 2634, the bill establishing the Citizens’ Initiative Review as a new  feature of Oregon’s democratic process.  He was joined by lawmakers, as well as citizens who participated in a 2010 pilot of the Citizens’ Initiative Review, to celebrate the passage of the historic legislation.

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  • NEWS RELEASE: Oregon Senate Approves Citizens’ Initiative Review Bill!
    admin
    June 1, 2011

    For Immediate Release

    June 1, 2011



    Contact: Tyrone Reitman

    541-999-5088

    Today the Oregon Senate took action on legislation to establish the Citizens’ Initiative Review as a permanent feature of Oregon’s initiative process. 

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