State Legislators turn back on Immigrants, Latino Community

Last Thursday, with over 3000 immigrant rights supporters in attendance, members of the Oregon State Legislature Joint Committee on Ways and Means voted 11-6 in favor of draconian driver’s license restrictions. Senate Bill 1080, which will threaten the public safety of Oregonians and hurt working families and Oregon’s economy, was passed on to the full senate.

Among those that voted in favor of SB 1080 were six Democrats including Senate President Peter Courtney. Courtney, who represents a district with a large Latino and Immigrant constituency, doesn’t actually sit on the Committee for Ways and Means however attended Thursday's work session just to take the vote.

Other legislators who turned their back on immigrants and Latinos in addition to Senator Courtney include:

Sen. Kurt Schrader(D)
Rep. David Edwards (D)
Sen. Betsy Johnson(D)
Rep. Larry Galizio(D)
Sen. Rod Monroe (D)
Sen. Peter Courtney (D)
Rep. Bruce L Hanna(R)
Sen. David Nelson R)
Rep. Bob Jenson(R)
Sen. Doug Whitsett(R)
Rep. Susan Morgan (R)

CAUSA would like to recognize those legislators below who had the courage to stand up for Immigrants, the Latino community and the public safety of all Oregonians.

Sen. Alan C Bates (D)
Rep. Mary Nolan (D)
Sen. Avel Gordly(I)
Sen. Margaret Carter(D)
Rep. Chip Shields(D)
Rep. Nancy Nathanson(D)

In response to the vote taken last week and the one taken in the full senate today, immigrant rights groups will push for the Governor to form a committee of legislators, business people and community members to study the economic and social impacts of the Executive Order and restore driver’s license access to all Oregonians.

In addition, CAUSA and their allies will also launch the largest Latino voter registration campaign in the history of Oregon.

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Work Session Tonight on Driver's License Restrictions (S.B.1080)

On Tuesday, the Oregon State Senate Transportation Committe passed Senate Bill 1080 unanimously with additional rules. The new version approved now not only will require applicants to have proof of legal citizenship, but will limit validity of Oregon licenses to the length of the applicant's authorized stay, up to eight years, or to one year if there is no stay limit.

SB 1080 is now before the Oregon State Legislature Joint Committee on Ways and Means. This evening, the Committee will be meeting for a Work Session to discuss the bill. Although there will be no testimony heard, we want to encourage immigrant rights supporters and those concerned with the public safety of ALL Oregon residents to be present at the State Capitol tonight.

Senate Bill 1080 will require proof of legal presence in United States and a Social Security number before the Oregon Department of Transportation may issue, renew or replace driver license, driver permit or identification card.

Work Session on Senate Bill 1080
Joint Committee on Ways and Means

When: Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 6:00pm

Where:
Oregon State Capitol
900 Court St NE,
Salem Oregon
Room: HR F

For more information on immigrants' access to drivers' licenses, please visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

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