Oregon Citizen Initiative Review
Contents |
History
First panel
The first panel was formed in 2008. The panel reviewed Measure 58 which was on the November 4, 2008 ballot[1].
Bill: approval of commission
The Oregon Citizen Initiative Review process was created as a result of the Oregon Legislature passing House Bill 2895 in 2009. The legislation allowed the Secretary of State to have non-profit organizations form citizen panels to review and create official statements on initiated state statutes and amendments to the Oregon Constitution[2].
Bill: permanent review board
In late May 2011, the Oregon State Legislature signed House Bill 2634 which would allow for the Citizen Initiative Review to become a permanent part of the ballot measure process in Oregon. On May 23, 2011 the House voted 36-22 in favor of the proposal. The bill now heads to the Senate.[3]
HB 2634 would authorize the commission to borrow up to $75,000 to cover start-up costs. The funds would be borrowed interest-free from the Department of Administrative Services. The funds can begin to be used starting in 2012.[4]
On June 1, 2011 the Senate affirmed HB 2634 following a 22-8 vote.[5] The bill was officially signed by Gov. John Kitzhaber on June 16, 2011.[6]
Process
Panel creation
A new panel is created for every initiative review in the State of Oregon. A total of 24 citizens are selected to serve on each panel[7]. Citizens are selected to serve on the panel at random[7]. The panels are created by Healthy Democracy Oregon. Healthy Democracy Oregon is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing clear and concise evaluations of ballot measures in the State of Oregon[8].
Panelists are selected on their geographic location, party affiliation, age, voting history, and other demographic factors[9]. Each panel lasts five consecutive days and is moderated by two professional facilitators[9]. Each panelist receives a per diem of $150 a day for travel, lodging, and meal expenses from the organization sponsoring the review panel[9].
According to reports, panelists are paid $150 per diem and are reimbursed for travel expenses and accommodations in Salem, Oregon.[4]
2010 elections
- See also: Oregon 2010 ballot measures
Healthy Democracy Oregon selected citizens to serve on panels that gave reviews on Measures 73 and 74 which were on the November 2010 ballot[10]. Each review gave a Citizen's statement that had a shared agreement statement from the entire panel in addition to pros and cons to each measure[11].
Measure 73
21 out of 24 members on the panel were opposed to Measure 73 which would impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes. The measure would apply to drunken-driving and sex crimes. Panel members expressed strong opposition that mandatory minimum sentences are not a deterrent on crime and that Oregon incurs the highest costs in running its Corrections Department[12]. Also, the panel felt that if Measure 73 was approved, it would take away the ability of judges to hand out sentences and put it in the hands of prosecutors[12]. The statement from the panel said that approval of Measure 73 would increase the amount of sentences handed out by plea bargain[12].
Measure 74
The panel on Measure 74 was more divided than the panel on Measure 73. 13 members were for Measure 74 while 11 were against[13]. Despite the divided numbers for and against Measure 74, the panel agreed that the language of Measure 74 was not clear and concise. Also, the panel agreed that the Oregon Health Authority must set administrative rules if Measure 74 was approved by the voters[13].
The 11 members who were against Measure 74 said that proponents of the measure had a "trust us" before the rules were made mentality, that Oregon voters would have a voice on how administrative rules and penalties were set-up, and that the measure lacked enforcement and oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse[13].
The 13 members for Measure 74 said that the medical marijuana dispensary program would provide new revenue without raising taxes, create jobs, and give alternative medical options without side effects of traditional medicine[13].
Funding
Healthy Democracy Oregon is funded from its Board Members and over 600 individual donors[8]. The National Science Foundation had given a $218,000 grant to team of researchers from Washington State, Oregon, and Wisconsin in order to conduct evaluations of the citizen initiative review during the 2010 election cycle[14].
See also
Articles
External links
- Healthy Democracy Oregon
- Measure 73 Citizen's Statement (2010)
- Measure 74 Citizen's Statement (2010)
- House Bill 2634 - to create a permanent review board
References
- ↑ Healthy Democracy Oregon "2008 Initial Review Video"
- ↑ Oregon Live "House Bill 2895 (2009 Session)"
- ↑ The Oregonian,"Oregon House passes bill creating independent citizen commission to weigh in on ballot measures," May 23, 2011
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Register Guard,"Independent review of state ballot measures clears hurdle," May 24, 2011
- ↑ Statesman Journal,"Senate OKs panel for ballot review," June 2, 2011
- ↑ Oregon Legislature,"House Bill 2634 status," retrieved June 29, 2011
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Healthy Democracy Oregon "Citizens' Initiative Review"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Healthy Democracy Oregon "About"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Healthy Democracy Oregon "House Bill 2895, Citizens Initiative Review Pilot Legislation Overview"
- ↑ Healthy Democracy Oregon "The 2010 Citizens’ Initiative Review pilot project"
- ↑ Healthy Democracy Oregon "Citizens Statement-Measure 73"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Healthy Democracy Oregon "Citizen's Initiative Review of Measure 73"
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Healthy Democracy Oregon "Second Initiative (Measure 74)
- ↑ Healthy Democracy Oregon "The 2010 Citizens’ Initiative Review pilot project"
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