[Prev] [Next]   [Index]   [Thread Index]

02517: Oregon Citizens Initiative Review Panel

From: Bruce Eggum <bruce.eggum(at)gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:27:43 -0600
Subject: Oregon Citizens Initiative Review Panel

A good measure and points how community's can develop their own infrastructure.

Citizens' Initiative Review bill signed by Governor!


Written on June 29, 2009 by Tyrone Reitman  

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.

"In today's political and media environment - where contentious initiative issues see millions of dollars spent to sway opinions - there is very little opportunity for everyday citizens to engage in a reasoned discussion about ballot initiatives," said Tyrone Reitman from Healthy Democracy Oregon. "The Citizens' Initiative Review will provide voters with trustworthy, accessible and peer-based analyses that will assist them in making informed decisions. This will provide all voters with complete and succinct information to make fully-informed decisions about complex issues which have significant fiscal and constitutional implications."

In September, 2008, Healthy Democracy Oregon demonstrated the Citizens' Initiative Review on ballot Measure 58 so Oregonians could witness the efficiency, clarity and trustworthiness of the Review. Over a period of five days, panelists heard from initiative proponents, opponents, and background witnesses. With the assistance of trained professional moderators, the panelists debated whether they supported or opposed the initiative, along with their specific reasons. The review was evaluated as being fair and free from bias by advocates, panelists, and the League of Women Voters of Oregon which independently evaluated the process.

Panelists are paid for their service on the Citizens' Initiative Review through grant funding. HB 2895 has no fiscal impact. One to three measures will be studied for the 2010 general election.

"The creation of these panels complements Oregon's tradition of citizen engagement in the political process," said Senator Rick Metsger (D-Welches), who carried the bill on the Senate floor.

HB 2895 was introduced in the House by Representatives Ben Cannon (D-Portland) and Chris Harker (D-Beaverton) along with 23 other bi-partisan co-sponsors in both chambers.  

"Oregon has long been an innovator in the area of direct democracy," said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), chair of the Senate Rules Committee. "This bill represents another example of how our state continues to encourage and support citizen engagement in the process of governing."

http://healthydemocracyoregon.org/node/125


Bruce Eggum
Gresham Wisconsin, USA
Health Care http://tinyurl.com/ycx9vpz
http://usinitiative.com
http://vote.org/


[Prev] [Next]   [Index]   [Thread Index]