No Fake Emergencies is announcing today that they are beginning circulation of a titled ballot initiative for the 2022 election cycle. The received approval to circulate last week from the Secretary of State.

Initiative Petition 1, dubbed “No Fake Emergencies 2022” will reform the ways emergencies are handled in the legislative process. The major effect of the initiative will be to require a 2/3 majority vote on most bills declared to be an emergency.

By declaring a bill to be an emergency, the legislation not only takes effect upon being signed by the Governor, it removes the ability of the people to subject the legislation to a referendum, where it can be effectively vetoed by the people. Critics have pointed out that this process is being abused by being applied to bills which are not emergencies, but to avoid the referendum process.

Chief Petitioner State Representative Bill Post (R-Keizer) said, “for the last 5 years, as a legislator, I’ve witnessed the absolute abuse of the ‘emergency clause’ in legislation. I strongly believe that if there is an 'emergency' then it should so be declared and stated exactly what that 'emergency' is. Instead, this legislative tool has been used to override the will of the voters. It’s time for the voters to have the say in what is an 'emergency'."

State Representative Gary Leif (R-Roseburg), also one of the Chief Petitioners, added, “for far too long the emergency clause is being used for political gain rather than what it was intended for. It’s intended to bridge the gap when resources run out. Instead it’s used so that the people cannot have a voice.”

The campaign needs to gather 149,360 signatures by July of 2022 to make the November 2022 ballot. More information can be found at their website.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-07-20 14:18:42

Last Update: 2020-07-20 15:18:57