Chart shows vanishing voter voice

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

The above chart shows how, over time, politician and agency rules against the people’s initiative petition process has been handicapped, picked upon and over-regulated.

The chart fails to show the dozens of kindhearted Oregonians who tried to make the ballot but failed.  People wanted to cut taxes, stop tolling, enact school choice and put criminals behind bars longer, but did not make it.

Today there is a hearing on Senate Joint Resolution 30 which aims to cripple the people’s right to petition by more death-by-overregulation.

It is not enough to cause an 80% decline in citizen-led petitions — the politicians are aiming for 99%

Senate Joint Resolution 30 makes it harder for you to put measures on the ballot by radically increasing signature requirements +25% for statutory and +33% for Constitutional changes.

SJR 30 also has a new scheme mandate that signatures must originate equally from 6 Oregon districts which only drives up costs and will void thousands of legitimate signatures because they’re in a fabricated surplus location.   Already, politicians have made it nearly impossible for ordinary citizens to put measures on the ballot, often requiring a million dollars.  SJR 30 adds two new extreme burdens.  This will effectively shut down petition efforts, except for the ultra-rich lobbyists and the politicians themselves.   Citizens get censored.

You can read SJR 30 here:

THREE WAYS TO ACT

#1. You can submit online testimony here (click “submit testimony” tab on top)

#2. You can attend the hearing:

Senate Committee on Rules
Oregon State Capitol, Salem,
Wednesday April 2nd, 2025, 1:00 PM, HR C

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#3. You can call/email all 5 members of the Oregon Senate Rules Committee.

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Tell them “VOTE NO on SJR 30!” – Don’t make our petitions harder.

– We can stop this bill in committee with your call
– Be kind, courteous, polite when calling

Chair Senator Kayse Jama
503-986-1724
[email protected]

Senator Daniel Bonham
503-986-1726
[email protected]

Senator Jeff Golden
503-986-1703
[email protected]

Senator James Manning Jr.
503-986-1707
[email protected]

Senator Kim Thatcher
503-986-1711
[email protected]

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