Representatives Marty Wilde (D-Eugene), Paul Evans (D-Monmouth), and Karin Power (D-Milwaukie) want to remove your free speech by introducing HB 2225. There is a lot of talk about the “underserved” in the legislature, but when it comes to rural Oregonians, they change their tune. HB 2225 will prohibit rural areas from supporting their causes and deny them from their representation, their only means to be heard in dire situations when livelihood and their economy is at stake. It attempts to silence the “underserved.”

HB 2225 prohibits legislators who are absent and unexcused when Legislative Assembly is in session from receiving salary, per diem or expense reimbursement, and imposes a fine of $500 per day for unexcused absence. It also prohibits political contributions from being used to pay fines or legal fees, replace salary or defray expenses.

When government establishes controls over the functions of how the citizens are represented, it no longer is a representation of the people. It becomes a controlled voice for the government’s agenda. The Majority leadership in their forecast statements voiced disparaging facts of the “underserved” among the minorities calling for more equality. But when it comes to rural Oregon and minority representation in the legislature, they change their tune.

If this were child’s play, we’d outlaw it as bullying. Bullying at the political level is no less egregious. To compound their bullying efforts SB 261 and SB 262 have been introduced, which also prohibits contributions to pay fines for unexcused absence, and SJR 3 prohibits re-election if not attending at least 10 floor sessions. SJR 4 would clinch the bullying control by changing the two-thirds needed for a quorum to a simple majority.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Democrats have super-majorities in both chambers. Apparently, this isn't enough for them to get their work done. The majority party and news media try and portray a walk-out as not showing up for work. Do we teach our students to put up their dukes and fight with bullies, or walk away? Do you walk into a burning building or save people that are being trapped?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-02-26 09:53:00

Last Update: 2021-02-25 17:02:37