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The future of your representation in Oregon for the next decade is on the line.
Every ten years, the state is required by the US and Oregon Constitutions to redraw our congressional and state legislative district boundaries to reflect changes in population identified by the U.S. Census. Redistricting is mandated to ensure that legislative districts accurately represent communities of common interest for fair representation by their elected lawmakers.
Over the next few weeks, the legislature will hold a series of public hearings to ensure Oregon’s districts are drawn in a transparent and non-partisan manner. This is important for all of us in rural Oregon. In the past, our voices have been silenced by the gerrymandering of political districts, which has proven to be a massive detriment to equitable political representation. For instance, there are five State House Districts that touch the city of Eugene to ensure that they have more Democratic votes. Southern Oregon is all over the place to make sure there is one solid Democrat seat. We need more common communities as one district versus political gerrymandering. Testimony should not be personal or confrontational. Rather we should support ideas such as grouping like communities, supporting an independent redistricting Commission, and generally striving for more balance and equitable representation in our state.
The hearings are organized by Congressional District to ensure residents in each community are prioritized. The hearings for Congressional District Two (CD2) – which includes all constituents in House District 55 - are listed below and one of them is coming up today, Wednesday, March 10 at 5:30pm PDT.
District 2 includes: Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, part of Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler counties
CD2 Hearing Schedule:
Wednesday, March 10 @ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 20 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Register to testify by visiting the Oregon Legislature’s redistricting website.
Virtual meetings are a disaster. The technology and the staff to handle the virtual hearings and meetings is not sufficient for the public to feel like their voice is being heard by policymakers. In a state as large as ours, there is a place for virtual testimony in conjunction with in-person hearings, but not instead of them. It’s time, we can make it happen. I agree fully with a statement recently released by my colleagues in the Senate.
On March 3rd, OHA Direction Pat Allen testified before the House Committee on COVID-19 that by April 21, Oregon should have received enough vaccines to vaccinate 70% of the adult population. This follows on the Governor and Director Allen repeatedly saying that the supply of vaccines is what is keeping us from vaccinating every eligible person who wants a shot.
According to the best available data and experts, herd immunity is reached when at least 70% of the population are vaccinated or otherwise immune to COVID-19.
Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod (R-Lyons) released a statement about what the data means for reopening the Capitol building to the public:
“If herd immunity isn’t the benchmark for giving Oregonians full access to their democracy, I don’t know what is. I am calling on the Presiding Officers to develop a plan to reopen the Capitol by April 21.
“An April 21st timeline would allow 70% of the population to receive the vaccine. When natural immunity is accounted for, we should be well over the 70% threshold for herd immunity. April 21 is a completely reasonable expectation for reopening the building.”
The Capitol Building is the people's building, where the people's work is done. It has been closed to the public since the session began and the people's role has been relegated to giving (mostly) time restricted testimony remotely, when technology allows. Often this has resulted in frustration and failure. It is time to open the building to the public and resume operations with complete transparency and fairness.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1455
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-395, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.VikkiBreeseIverson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/breese-iverson
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