This is a special message for NumbersUSA members in Oregon.
Dear Oregon activist,
As you may know, Referendum 301 -- a ballot measure entitled Protect Oregon Driver Licenses -- will give Oregon voters an opportunity in November to overturn a law (passed as SB 833) that gives illegal aliens access to driving privilege cards. The Oregon Supreme Court is currently handling a dispute over the ballot's title but proponents of the law want to preempt those deliberations by legislatively re-writing the title in a manner favorable to keeping the law.
On Thursday, Feb. 27, the Oregon House will vote on a bill (HB 4054) that would re-write the ballot as follows: "Establishes limited purpose, duration driver card for individuals who prove Oregon residency, meet driving requirements." This completely masks the true purpose of the law. The title as currently written is correct: "Provides Oregon resident driver card without requiring proof of legal presence in the United States."
Please follow the instruction below for contacting state legislators and Gov. Kitzhaber.
Background
Proponents of the law, led by Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson (D-Portland) and Rep. Vic Gilliam (R-Silverton), claim the ballot title "doesn't reflect their goal of improving public safety." That's nonsense because the goal of SB 833 was to accommodate illegal aliens.
SB 833 proponents used public safety as a cover-up for the truth from the beginning. They argued having driver cards would encourage more drivers to get training and car insurance, which is difficult to buy without a legal driving document. But the Oregon DMV recently announced the law's passage has not had an impact on unlicensed driving.
The Oregon Supreme Court should decide the matter of the ballot title, not the state legislature. In fact, the Oregonian's editorial board on Feb. 24 called the legislative re-write, "a breathtakingly cynical move that would taint the very law they're trying to preserve." And in a second editorial on Feb. 25, the board said proponents are trying to "hijack the normal process for writing ballot titles. "
Please contact your state legislators, the leaders of the House and Senate, and Gov. Kitzhaber and tell them to leave the ballot title in the hands of the court. If your Representative is Jessica Vega Pederson or Vic Gilliam, be sure to slam their effort to undermine the ballot measure.
Contacting Your State Representative and Senator
Please call your Rep. and Senator with the suggested message. For a list of state legislators, click here:
"I am a voter in your district who strongly opposes any legislative effort to re-write the title of Referendum 301, a ballot measure concerning driver cards for illegal immigrants. The matter is currently in the hands of the Supreme Court and must remain there.
An Oregonian editorial called the legislative re-write, "a breathtakingly cynical move that would taint the very law they're trying to preserve." I agree and plan to vote so do not give me a reason to vote against you and the driver card law."
Contacting State Legislative Leaders
Please call and email Speaker Kotek and President Courtney with the message below. If either represents you, be sure to mention it.
"I am a voter who strongly opposes any legislative effort to re-write the title of Referendum 301, a ballot measure concerning driver cards for illegal immigrants. The matter is currently in the hands of the Supreme Court and must remain there.
An Oregonian editorial called the legislative re-write, "a breathtakingly cynical move that would taint the very law they're trying to preserve." I agree and ask that you use the power of your office to prevent such legislation from getting a vote."
House Speaker Tina Kotek - 503-986-1200; Rep.TinaKotek@state.or.us
Senate President Peter Courtney - 503-986-1600; sen.petercourtney@state.or.us
Contacting the Governor
Please contact the Citizens' Representative for Gov. John Kitzhaber, via phone (503-378-4582) and web form, with the suggested message:
"I am a voter who strongly opposes any legislative effort to re-write the title of Referendum 301, a ballot measure concerning driver cards for illegal immigrants. The matter is currently in the hands of the Supreme Court and must remain there.
An Oregonian editorial called the legislative re-write, "a breathtakingly cynical move that would taint the very law they're trying to preserve." I agree and plan to vote this year. If you do not drop your support for a legislative re-write, I will be voting against you and the driver card law."
Thank you in advance for your assistance!
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