Oregonians Vote No On Measures 58 and 60

For Immediate Release
November 5, 2008

Contact:
Treasure Mackley
Parents and Teachers Know Better
(503) 781-4903


Oregonians Vote No On Measures 58 and 60!
A majority of Oregon voters defeat Sizemore initiatives.

OR-Last night a majority of Oregon voters defeated Measures 58 and 60. The Parents and Teachers Know Better Coalition is thrilled with the results. For a second time in less than a decade, Oregonians have rejected Bill Sizemore's dangerous attacks on Oregon teachers and classrooms.

Oregonians were able to see Sizemore's vague measures for what they really are - poorly written, unpopular ideas that would have had negative consequences for Oregon classrooms.

"Teachers, parents, and school advocates from around the state raised their voices loud and clear on these measures, and voters agreed that decisions about children's education should be made by the people closest to the classroom," said Treasure Mackley, Campaign Manager.

The broad coalition of education organizations and advocates made the victory against Measures 58 and 60 possible. Through the efforts and support from organizations such as Oregon Education Association, American Federation of Teachers-Oregon, Oregon School Employees Association, Stand for Children and CAUSA we once again defeated Bill Sizemore's dangerous anti-education initiatives.

Over 30 local school boards passed resolutions opposing Measures 58 and 60 and The Parents and Teachers Know Better Campaign contacted nearly 100,000 voters through volunteer efforts alone to defeat the harmful initiatives.

"The passion of parents, teachers and education advocates fueled this campaign to victory and protected Oregon students from Sizemore's attacks on public education," said Mackley.

Read more »

Anti-immigrant Measures in Columbia County

There is some very mixed news coming out of Columbia County. Apparently of the two anti-immigrant measures on the ballot in Columbia County Oregon, voters supported one while simultaneously rejecting the other.

Local ballot measure 5-191, which would have forced construction sites to put up enormous anti-immigrant signs was defeated by a resounding 61 to 39 percent margin. However measure 5-190, which requires the county to impose a $10,000 fine on businesses who hire undocumented workers, passed by 57 to 43 percent.

We are pleased that this rural community rejected the bigotry and xenophobia of Measure 5-191. This is a remarkable victory given how effective the right has been nationally in using these anti-immigrant policies to drive a wedge into rural and working class communities.

And at the same time, we are deeply disappointed by the passage of Measure 5-190. We are concerned about the devastation that measure 5-190 will cause the local economy. And the immigrant community has already started to be targeted by scapegoating and racial profiling.

Measure 5-190 is rife with drafting errors, and we have already begun to explore all the options available to Columbia County businesses that will be harmed by this measure.

We want to acknowledge the hundreds of volunteers who spent thousands of hours knocking on doors, making phone calls, and hand-writing postcards. Our efforts are the number one reason that voters rejected measure 5-191. We did everything we could to defeat these measures - see the attached campaign re-cap that proves it!

Regardless of the election results, we are coming out of this fight with stronger, more powerful organizations:

Local community groups have now identified thousands of their neighbors and elected leaders as allies that can broaden local, ongoing work for justice

Staff and volunteers have increased capacity, experience and skills to run targeted, influential issue campaigns

The immigrant community in Oregon is stronger because allies in the GLBT community and labor stood up and played a critical role in the campaign.

Community members have a deeper analysis on the solutions needed to fix our immigration system.

Here are two comments from local community leaders that give us inspiration as this struggle moves forward.

"Columbia County can and will do better than this ballot measure. This chapter of the battle ends here tonight but the struggle to bring justice to all workers continues on other fronts." -- Campaign co-chair Craig Frasier

"Our stand is on the side of social justice and with that we are on the side of history. A measure such as this will not withstand the light of knowledge and ultimately will fail like all other attempts to set one against another." -- Community member Ernie Klostermann

Measure 5-190 is just one more example of failed piecemeal immigration policies. Measures like this have failed around the country, and they will fail again Columbia County. A true solution to our immigration system must be enacted on the national level. Our opportunity to enact meaningful, workable reform has been renewed with the Obama Administration and we have formed a transition team with our national partners to make this reform a priority in the first 100 days of the new administration.

Passage of Measure 190 is another reminder that we have a long way to go in winning people's hearts and minds for immigrant justice. We must find a way to address the growing economic insecurity of the entire community, or the impulse to blame and scapegoat groups will continue to grow.

The tremendous progress made in this campaign wouldn't have happened without the time, energy and resources devoted by a number of organizations: Rural Organizing Project, Columbia County Citizens for Human Dignity, CAUSA, Basic Rights Oregon, Western States Center, Oregon Education Association, SEIU Local 49, SEIU Local 503, Association of General Contractors, and Defend Oregon. We express deep appreciation for the time and resources donated to this effort, and invite allies to join our ongoing work for justice.

For more information, please visit www.timesaretoughenough.com

Read more »

CAUSA's 2008 Oregon Election Coverage

Welcome to CAUSA's Election Coverage 2008 from the Oregon Convention Center

8:07pm Not a moment after the Oregon Polls closed, it appears that Senator Barack Obama has struck an historic victory and has been elected President of the United States. The current Electoral Vote count is 324 Obama to 124 McCain.

8:24pm We just heard Senator McCain make his concession speech.

8:39pm KGW is reporting

49% Jeff Merkley (278669 votes)
46% Gordon Smith (260931 votes)
6% Dave Brownlow (31969 votes)

Precincts: 280 of 1000 - 28%
Updated: 11-04-2008 08:40 PM

8:41pm Here is the current numbers on Measure 58, Bill Sizemore's Anti-bilingual Ed Measure

56% No (236405 votes)
44% Yes (188155 votes)
Precincts: 208 of 1000 - 20%
Updated: 11-04-2008 08:31 PM

8:49pm We are now reporting from the Press riser in the Main Convention Hall. We moved from the Defend Oregon room as it was getting crowded. The crowd is waiting in anticipation for Oregon's ballot measure and candidate results, and an address from President Elect Obama.

8:59pm President Elect Obama is addressing the nation. The crowd here in the convention center is extrememly lively.

9:07pm Ballot Measure Update

Ballot Measure 58
54% No (411375 votes)
46% Yes (348551 votes)
Precincts: 376 of 1000 - 37%
Updated: 11-04-2008 09:10 PM

Ballot Measure 60
60% No (371129 votes)
40% Yes (243975 votes)
Precincts: 301 of 1000 - 30%
Updated: 11-04-2008 08:57 PM

9:26pm

• Schrader projected winner for 5th district race
  

9:55pm

The Senate Race in Oregon is still very close:

48% Jeff Merkley (384128 votes)
47% Gordon Smith (377338 votes)
6% Dave Brownlow (45008 votes)
Precincts: 401 of 1000 - 40%
Updated: 11-04-2008 09:50 PM

10:05pm How about those ballot measures?

Oregon voters reject most ballot measures

10:19pm For more complete election results visit KGW

10:40pm Measure 58 and 60 Fails. Other failures include 59, 60, 63 and 65. Those that have passed include 54, 55, 56 and 57. Those still undecided include 61, 62 and 64

10:55pm Apparently Fox 12 is projected Jeff Merkley winner:

Merkley Projected Winner In U.S. Senate Race

Senator Smith is supposed to speak at 11:00pm. Stay Tuned!

11:13pm Looks like those hoping to know how the Smith-Merkley race for U.S. Senate turns out will have to wait until morning.

11:30pm We are going to wrap-up here at the Oregon Convention Center. We will continue to report on the election returns through out the morning.

12:50pm

The National Headlines from the AP:

• Obama makes history; turns to sobering challenges
• Democratic majorities stronger, tougher

Image(s):

Around the Nation:

Anti-Civil Rights Proposition ahead in California

Gay marriage ban leading

A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California led Tuesday, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months...

Senator Dole unseated by Kay Hagan in North Carolina

One race many immigrant rights advocates were watching closely tonight was between Senator Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagan in North Carolina. According to the returns, Hagen easily unseated Senator Dole.

Last month The Sanctuary reported on one of Senator Dole's allies. Apparently Johnston County Sheriff, Steve Bizzell who had a staring role in an anti-immigrant ad Dole was running used some choice words in an article that appeared a Raleigh, N.C. paper. The full story can be found by linking here.

Informative article(s) about the Latino Vote:

• Unprecedented Latino Voter Turnout Plays Critical Role in Early Outcome of the Presidential Election
• Record Breaking Hispanic Vote Can Swing Election
  
  

Read more »