OFIR Alerts and Updates
Welcome to the "what's hot" news and alerts section. This section includes important OFIR action alerts and informational updates that have been sent out in the recent past, as well as hot news items.
Plan to attend - register today!
Salem City Club Luncheon:
Friday, January 8, 2016
11:30AM, Lunch; 12 Noon, Program
Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill
The TPP countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam. China, Oregon’s largest export destination, is noticeably absent. TPP negotiations began in 2008 with little public input and calls for more transparency. WikiLeaks released various sections of the TPP being considered. This was the first public look at possible provisions.
Although the TPP is billed as a trade pact, providing for reduced tariffs on products imported by member countries, the pact also impacts a broad range of issues such as food safety, Internet freedom, medicine costs, financial regulation and more. Congress voted to give the Obama administration Fast Track Authority, which provides for an up or down vote by Congress after a 90-day review period…no amendments allowed.
On January 8, we will be about 60 days into the review period. As of now, members of Oregon’s congressional delegation are still studying the TPP agreement and appear to be split on the subject. The 6,000 page agreement is available on-line from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Additionally, an internet search for TPP Oregon will result in a number of relevant articles.
An hour does not provide enough time for a detailed analysis of the agreement, but we hope to provide you with helpful information as you develop your own analysis of this far reaching trade and investment pact. Public input is critical to this process and the clock is running!
Dr. Russ Beaton, nationally recognized scholar of sustainable economics, will guide us through a summary of the TPP and provisions directly impacting Oregon. Although much of the attention will be given to Oregon-specific products, Dr. Beaton also will address some of the more global aspects of the agreement.
Beaton received his bachelor’s degree from Willamette University and his Master’s and Ph.D. from Claremont University. His original training was in mathematical economics and econometrics, although his doctoral thesis was in location theory and urban land economics, which became a lifetime interest.
After teaching at California State College at Fullerton – now Fullerton State University, and at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Beaton returned to his alma mater, Willamette University, where he taught economics and did research for 33 years, retiring in 2003.
His teaching interests included Microeconomic Theory, Environmental Economics, Energy Economics, and Regional Economics and the Economy of Oregon – all courses which he developed and introduced.
His research interests have always gravitated toward useful policy efforts that have the capability of directly and immediately affecting the lives of people. He has consulted and done policy-based contract research for several State of Oregon agencies in areas such as land use, agriculture, timber, transportation, energy, housing and general economic policy.
Co-author with Chris Maser of three books, all in the area of sustainable development, Russ has also participated in drafting the legislation, passed by the 1973 Oregon Legislature that created Oregon’s widely acclaimed land use planning system.
For Jan. 8 luncheon reservations, register online or call (503) 370-2808
by noon, Wed. Jan. 6.
December is half over and we are now in the last two weeks where you can take advantage of Oregon state's political tax credit for donations to the OFIR Political Action Committee.
We encourage you to send a contribution to OFIR PAC before year's end. Please don't forget - write your check today or go to the OFIR website and contribute to the OFIR PAC. If you don't use your political tax credit before December 31 - the state will use the money for its own purposes. You have a choice and we hope you will choose the OFIR PAC.
If you are unfamiliar with the Oregon Political Tax credit, let me explain. Oregon residents can make a contribution to one Oregon Political Action Committee per year. Through Oregon's political tax credit, married couples filing joint Oregon Income Tax Returns receive a dollar for dollar credit of up to $100 - (it's $50 for singles and married couples filing separately) - for contributions to a Political Action Committee like OFIR PAC. This is your opportunity to divert a portion of your tax obligation to OFIR PAC and not to the State's coffers.
This is not a tax deduction but a credit. If you owe money on a joint tax return, you would owe $100 less as a married couple filing jointly. Of course, you may contribute in excess of the deductible amount, and we encourage you to do so, but you may deduct only the allowable limit.
Please write your check to OFIR PAC, or visit the OFIR website and donate online at http://www.oregonir.org/donate-ofir. If you click the DONATE button on this email and fill out the form, your contribution will automatically be credited to the OFIR PAC.
Checks can be mailed to OFIR PAC, PO Box 7354, Salem OR 97303.
Checks must be made to OFIR PAC - checks made out simply to OFIR are not eligible for the state income tax credit and, under IRS rules, are not tax-deductible, but we would still welcome your contribution to OFIR!
All OFIR officers and Board members are volunteers serving without pay and we have no paid employees other than a part-time bookkeeper. As one of the most active immigration organizations in the country, we must have funds for necessary expenses such as email and website services, printing and postage, annual fees to Oregon SOS and DOJ, meeting room expenses, reimbursement for gasoline and other miscellaneous expenses incurred for travel within the state.
Mounting initiatives involves large expenditures for printing, postage, websites, fees to lawyers and accountants, and more, yet we have much to gain from successful initiatives. Our winning Protect Oregon Driver Licenses campaign has been a template for other successful ventures across the country. OFIR has attracted the attention and interest of many state activist groups as well as national immigration organizations.
We are currently facing extremely dangerous threats related to immigration here in Oregon and across the country. A healthy, robust budget is a basic requirement for continued efforts to establish sensible immigration policies that serve the public interest and well being.
As you may remember, a matching grant offer is now in effect; whatever you give will be matched dollar for dollar, by a generous donor, up to $15,000.
I can truly say OFIR couldn't have accomplished what we have without the help, support and cooperation of each and every one of you. I wish I could personally thank each of you.
If you have not yet contributed to OFIR and the work we are doing - please consider doing so before the end of the year so that you can take advantage of the Oregon Tax Credit. We need all hands on deck at this time. Please, give generously but only what you can afford!
Remember to make your check out to OFIR PAC! Thank you!
Both Senator Ted Cruz and Donald Trump have made immigration their key election topic and as a result have shot to the top in polling. Other candidates have slipped by on the tough questions about immigration.
Senator Marco Rubio, who was one of the sponsors of the disastrous 2013 “Gang of Eight” amnesty bill, has avoided scrutiny on the issue. Perhaps in the debate tonight, tougher, more specific questions will be asked of Rubio. Byron York sends his wish list of questions for candidate Rubio in his recent article in the Washington Examiner.
Recent Pew Research asked Americans whether immigration should be "kept at its present level, increased, or decreased." Very small minorities - just 7 percent of Republicans, 17 percent of independents, and 20 percent of Democrats - support increasing immigration.
Let's get these important questions answered sooner, rather than later!
Contributions are rolling in - don't miss your opportunity to DOUBLE your contribution - up to $15,000 total!
A matching grant will help OFIR fight to STOP illegal immigration here in Oregon and across the country.
Our generous donor will match your contributions to OFIR of any size up to $15,000 total! Imagine that - if you contribute $20 it magically becomes $40 or contribute $100 and it magically becomes a $200 contribution!
OFIR fought very hard to defeat Ballot Measure 88 and our resources are running low. Your contribution now will help OFIR stay in the game during the critical, upcoming election cycle.
Please consider a generous contribution today and double your money. This wonderful opportunity just doesn't happen every day!
OFIR appreciates each and every one of our members. We understand that some of you may not be able to contribute financially. There are lots of things you can do to help http://www.oregonir.org/how-you-can-help-ofir
But, we hope that those of you that can, will dig deep and give generously. We need your help now - and your contribution to OFIR will be doubled - up to $15,000. It's a WIN - WIN!
You can also go online http://www.oregonir.org/donate-ofir to contribute or mail your contribution to:
OFIR
PO Box 7354
Salem, OR 97303
Thank you!
Don't miss out on this GREAT OPPORTUNITY to double your contribution to OFIR!
Please join us Saturday, October 10 at 2:00pm at the Best Western Mill Creek Inn in Salem, OR and get caught up with what's happening locally and across the country in immigration politics all while enjoying some delicious pizza.
Donald Trump, like him or not, has blown the lid off the immigration conversation and in so doing has forced candidates to address the immigration issue head on....finally!
Because of Trump's campaign trail comments and his surge in the polls because of those comments, OFIR and immigration organizations and activists across the country are in a phenomenal position to make real headway in stemming the flow of illegal aliens into our country.
At the meeting, special guest Oregon Republican Chairman Bill Currier will be there to explain how the ORP plans to actively face down the immigration issues we struggle with here in Oregon.
Representative Mike Nearman and Representative Greg Baretto will be joining us to explain what's happening in the Oregon Legislature.
OFIR has been busy working to advance 2 initiatives. We will be talking about our progress on both of them and how you can help.
OFIR and our fantastic members and friends must be ready with renewed energy and resources to take advantage of the opportunities before us and to tackle the important challenges we will be facing in this coming election year.
Please consider bringing along a contribution to OFIR and take advantage of our $15,000 matching grant?
The next presidential debate is this Wednesday, September 16 on CNN. Perhaps your question will be chosen Wednesday evening.
We are encouraging every OFIR member or friend to send in a question concerning immigration to CNN. All you have to do is submit your question to CNN at: http://www.cnn.com/specials/politics/submit-questions-september-gop-debate
You could ask questions like these:
Don’t you think that E-Verify should be mandated for all employers - discouraging illegal immigration and encouraging illegal workers to depart? E-Verify is a FREE, internet based program to help employers be certain they are hiring workers that are legally authorized to work in the USA. Results are quick, accurate and E-Verify gets high approval ratings from participating employers.
Should English be the official language of the US government?
Or, questions could address the financial impact on U.S. taxpayers. FAIR estimates illegal aliens cost U.S. taxpayers $100 billion dollars a year even if you subtract any taxes they might pay. The cost to Oregon taxpayers is estimated at $1 billion a year.
Illegal alien cheap labor is devastating our young people. Twenty-three percent of white high school graduates are unemployed. Twenty-four percent of Hispanic high school graduates are unemployed. However the greatest impact is on Black American high school graduates. They have an unemployment rate of over 51 percent.
American sovereignty is at stake. Shouldn’t we as Americans make the decision as to whom we allow to immigrate into our great country? How can a nation be defined if it doesn’t have borders?
Please take a couple of minutes to send in your question to CNN. If you haven't commented before, you'll need to register with CNN to get your question posted; registration is rather simple and quick.
Note: If a comment is not a question to the Republican candidates, it will not appear.
Please - let OFIR know if your question is selected!
Here’s the lineup:
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
CNN Republican Primary Debate
6pm ET / 3pm PT - First round debate
8pm ET / 5pm PT - Second round primetime debate
Location: Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA
Moderator(s): Jake Tapper, Dana Bash and Hugh Hewitt
Candidates First round: Santorum, Jindal, Pataki, Graham
Candidates Second round Primetime: Trump, Bush, Walker, Huckabee, Carson, Cruz, Rubio, Paul, Christie, Kasich, Fiorina
Don't miss out on the fun! Plan to attend the Oregon State Fair running through Labor Day.
Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR) is hosting a booth at the State Fair again this year. We encourage you to drop by and say hello, we are located in the Jackman Long building. Learn more about what's happening here in Oregon and across the country and meet a State Rep. and Senator or a talk show host or any of our other wonderful volunteers! Visit our photo gallery!
If you have not yet joined OFIR, we encourage you to do so. It has been decades since the immigration issue has attracted such attention.
For those of you living in Congressional District 1:
Representative Suzanne Bonamici has scheduled 6 town hall meetings in August and September, beginning on August 29 in McMinnville.
Her announcement states: “It’s critical that I hear from my constituents about issues affecting them,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “These town hall meetings provide me with a useful perspective that informs my work. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents about their ideas, concerns, and questions.”
OFIR encourages members in Congressional District 1 to attend one of these meetings and discuss immigration issues. Rep. Bonamici is rated F- by NumbersUSA on her voting record on immigration bills in the current Congress, and D- overall for her years in Congress, 2012-2015. In 2015 alone, she voted 4 times for amnesties to illegal aliens. The particular bills are listed here.
You might wish to read the useful tips posted on NumbersUSA’s website for constituents’ effective participation in town halls. We suggest that you express to Rep. Bonamici your concerns about her consistent support for illegal aliens and illegal immigration and her apparent disregard of the consequences for citizens and the viability of our nation.
If you wish, you can print copies of her voting records here, and give them to her.
Here is the Townhall schedule:
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LOCATION |
DATE & TIME |
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McMinnville: |
Saturday August 29 |
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Tualatin: |
Saturday August 29 |
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St. Helens: |
Monday August 31 |
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Cornelius: |
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Portland: |
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Warrenton: |
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