ballot measure 88

Oregon 2014 Ballot Measure 88 will give driver cards to illegal aliens. Vote NO on Ballot Measure 88.

Gov. Brown betrays voters’ mandate, signs HB 2015

Today, Oregonians for Immigration Reform expressed anger and disappointment at Gov. Kate Brown's signing, on August 9, 2019, of House Bill 2015, which will provide Oregon driver licenses to illegal aliens.

"In 2014, our group spearheaded the ballot measure via which Oregonians, by a two-to-one margin, rejected the 2013  Legislature's approval of 'driver cards' for foreigners here illegally," said OFIR president Cynthia Kendoll.  "Yesterday, when she signed House Bill 2015, Gov. Brown told those Oregonians what their vote meant to her and to her accomplices in the Legislature: absolutely nothing."

Rather than honor the clearly-expressed mandate of those they were elected to serve, Kendoll continued, "our governor and Legislature chose to undermine U.S. laws against illegal entry and, instead, reward foreigners who have broken into our nation."

Illegal aliens, said OFIR communications director Jim Ludwick, "steal jobs from Oregonians, particularly from racial minorities and young people just beginning their working lives.  As well, the state and local government services they consume cost Oregonians more than $1 billion a year."

And, continued Ludwick, "more than 900 foreign nationals with federal immigration detainers -- the vast majority of them here illegally -- are inmates in our state prisons.  Most of them have committed violent crimes against innocent Oregonians."

After all this, concluded Ludwick, "what do our governor and Legislature do?  Pass a law to give illegal aliens driver licenses and, thereby, to encourage even more of them to come to our state."

In the history of Oregon politics, Kendoll noted, "one would be hard-pressed to find an instance where lawmakers more starkly betrayed both their constituents' best interests and clearly-expressed will."

Oregonians for Immigration Reform, founded in 2000, is a grassroots citizens' organization that advocates for an end to illegal immigration and a reduction in legal immigration.  OFIR and its thousands of members and supporters have qualified two measures for Oregon's statewide ballot: 2014's Measure 88, mentioned above, and 2018's Measure 105, which sought to repeal Oregon's illegal-alien sanctuary law (ORS 181.820A). Read more about Gov. Brown betrays voters’ mandate, signs HB 2015

NO on HB 2015! Call Oregon Senators this week!

Alert date: 
June 19, 2019
Alert body: 

HB 2015 (drivers licenses for illegal aliens) is on the edge of the cliff and we need your help to stop it! Contact your Senator and, if you are able, contact every other Senator, too.
Remind them that Oregon voters already said NO with a 66% NO vote. New Zogby polling shows that 63% of Oregonians still OPPOSE drivers licenses for illegal aliens.
Call or email today! Time is running out. 
 

HB 2015 work session set for Monday at 1pm

Alert date: 
June 6, 2019
Alert body: 

This is it, folks!

In 2014, Oregon voters said NO to driver licenses to anyone without proof of legal presence. But, the party in charge at the Oregon Legislature is so arrogant they are willfully working to overthrow the will of the people.

HB 2015 will have a work session Monday, June 10 at 1:00pm. Your calls, emails, tweets and Facebook posts are critical to shine a light on this bill. We can stop this - with YOUR help. Have you seen our billboards across the state? Take a photo and post on your social media page.

All the information you need is located here.

Hearing on HB 2015 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, at 5 pm.

Alert date: 
April 11, 2019
Alert body: 

A hearing has now been announced on HB 2015, the so-called Equal Access to the Roads Act of 2019, which overturns the successful Referendum of 2014 that nullified an earlier attempt to give driver licenses to illegal aliens.

The Hearing, by the Joint Transportation Committee, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, at 5 pm, in Hearing Room F at the State Capitol.   If you can attend and speak to the Committee in opposition, please do.

Please contact your state legislators also, and voice your opposition. 

We have good evidence that the public does NOT support the continuing effort to erase the requirement for citizenship or legal status to obtain an official i.d. or driver license. 

A new statewide poll of likely voters finds that Oregonians still overwhelmingly oppose granting driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.  OFIR members and other citizens can cite the poll when contacting their legislators in opposition to HB 2015.

According to this poll, commissioned by the Federation for American Immigration Reform and conducted by Zogby Analytics on March 18 and 19, voters continue to oppose granting driver’s licenses to illegal aliens by a 63 percent to 30 percent margin. Voters even more emphatically reject a new effort by the Legislature and Gov. Kate Brown to override the will of the people who defeated Measure 88 in 2014. That ballot measure struck down a similar law enacted by the Legislature in 2013.

Today, 68.4 percent of voters believe that the Legislature “must respect the decisions made by the voters through the ballot initiative process,” compared with just 18.7 percent who think the Legislature has the right to enact laws “that have been previously overturned by the voters.”

OFIR President Cynthia Kendoll’s comment: “The people have spoken. The Legislature and the governor do not like what they had to say, so they are demonstrating their contempt for the people of Oregon with a blatant attempt to overrule the outcome of democratic election. This sort of arrogance of power is the hallmark of authoritarian dictatorships, not the progressivism that Oregon likes to project to the world.”

Adding to the arrogance of state leaders promoting HB 2015 is that the Equal Access to the Roads Act bill is being proclaimed to be so urgent that an “emergency” clause has been attached, which would prevent opponents of the bill from blocking its implementation through another citizen's veto referendum. “Frankly, the voters shouldn’t have to say no again. They already have – very loudly, very clearly, and not very long ago. Members of the Legislature don’t have to like it. Gov. Brown doesn’t have to like it. But they should respect the decision of the voters,” said Kendoll.

The poll data should serve as a warning to elected officials in the state. A 63.5 percent majority of Oregon voters indicated that they would be less likely to vote for legislators who defy the will of the people on this issue, including 46.5 percent who said they would be “much less likely” to vote for such public officials. Only 11.8 percent said such action would make them more likely to vote for such legislators.

The full results of the statewide poll of Oregon voters can be found at:  https://fairus.org/sites/default/files/2019-03/Oregon%20Driver%27s%20License%202019.toplines.pdf

If you need additional ideas for opposition statements, please view the Protect Oregon Driver Licenses website.  This page may be especially helpful:  https://www.protectoregondl.org/info/consequences/sb833-bad-for-oregon

Zogby Poll Shows Oregon Voters Oppose Giving Driver's Licenses to Illegal Aliens, says FAIR

SALEM, Ore.,  /PRNewswire/ -- A new statewide poll of likely voters finds that Oregonians still overwhelmingly oppose granting driver's licenses to illegal aliens. Voters also thoroughly reject efforts by the State Legislature to override the will of two-thirds - nearly a million Oregon voters - who prevented an earlier effort to grant licenses to illegal aliens, from going into effect. The Equal Access to the Roads Act of 2019 (HB 2015) would once again allow people living in the country illegally, to gain access to Oregon driver's licenses and official state photo identification.

Voters continue to oppose granting driver's licenses to illegal aliens by a 63 percent to 30 percent margin, according to the March 18 and 19 poll conducted by Zogby Analytics. Voters even more emphatically reject a new effort by the Legislature and Gov. Kate Brownto override the will of the people who defeated Measure 88 in 2014. That ballot measure struck down a similar law enacted by the Legislature in 2013. Today, 68.4 percent of voters believe that the Legislature "must respect the decisions made by the voters through the ballot initiative process," compared with just 18.7 percent who think the Legislature has the right to enact laws "that have been previously overturned by the voters."

"The voters have spoken. The Legislature and the governor do not like what they had to say, so they are demonstrating their contempt for the people of Oregon with a blatant attempt to overrule the outcome of a fair and democratic election," charged Cynthia Kendoll, president of Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR), the organization that promoted Measure 88 in 2014. "This sort of arrogance of power is the hallmark of authoritarian dictatorships, not the progressivism that Oregon likes to project to the world."

Adding to the arrogance, state leaders want HB 2015 to include an "emergency" clause, which would prevent opponents of the bill from blocking its implementation through a citizen's veto referendum. This despite the fact the bill will not be enacted until 2021. "Frankly, the voters shouldn't have to say no again. They already have – very loudly, very clearly, and not very long ago. Members of the Legislature don't have to like it. Gov. Brown doesn't have to like it. But, at the very least, they should respect the decision of the voters," said Kendoll.

The polling data includes a stark warning to elected officials in the state. A 63.5 percent majority of Oregon voters indicated that they would be "less likely" to vote for legislators who defy the will of the people on this issue, including 46.5 percent who said they would be "much less likely" to vote for such public officials. Only 11.8 percent said such action would make them more likely to vote for such legislators.

The full results of the statewide poll of Oregon voters can be found here.

Contact: Oregonians for Immigration Reform at 503.435.0141

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Read more about Zogby Poll Shows Oregon Voters Oppose Giving Driver's Licenses to Illegal Aliens, says FAIR

Driver card bill nullifies voters’ mandate

Alert date: 
March 28, 2019
Alert body: 

Outstanding statement on HB 2015, the driver licenses for illegal aliens bill 

March 27, 2019

Writing in The Oregonian, OFIR’s former vice president, Richard F LaMountain, points out:

 “In November 2014 Oregonians overwhelmingly defeated a bill that if enacted would have given an official Oregon driver license to illegal aliens.  Thirty five out of Oregon’s 36 counties voted against it.  Eighteen Oregon counties voted NO by over 80%.  A majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents voted against it.  It was defeated in all five of Oregon’s congressional districts.

“So, what does the current Oregon legislature do?  They introduce House Bill 2015 to overturn what the voters overwhelmingly said.  …”

LaMountain was a chief sponsor of 2014's Ballot Measure 88. Read his full op-ed here. It explains well the reasons why the peoples’ verdict should stand.

Oregonians, call your state senator and house member and ask them to honor citizen voters, oppose HB 2015, and vote against it.

To identify your state legislators and get phone number/email address, click here:  https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-districts.html.  After entering your address in the format requested, see the legislative address card displayed.  Senate is shown first; click on House tab to change the display.

Read the full Op-Ed.

Tell your legislators NO driver licenses for illegal aliens! Stop HB 2015!

Alert date: 
February 28, 2019
Alert body: 

A bill giving illegal aliens Oregon driver licenses has just been introduced in the Legislature.  House Bill 2015 would give illegal aliens state-issued PHOTO ID, in the form of an official Oregon driver license.  Every reference to LEGAL presence or citizenship would be stripped from the driver license process we all go through.

We encourage everyone to call your state senator and representative and tell them to vote NO on Measure HB 2015.

It's easy to contact your Senator and Representative in Salem.  Click here to find out who your legislators are and how to reach them: http://www.oregonir.org/how-contact-oregon-state-legislators.

Oregon legislators can refer a bill directly to citizens to vote on it.  While we oppose HB 2015 on the merits, at the very least, the Oregon legislature should allow a referral vote by citizens.

Proponents call the bill the Equal Access to Roads Act.  The official title is: “Relating to documents issued by the Department of Transportation; declaring an emergency.”

Chief sponsors of HB 2015 are:  Rep. Hernandez, Alonso Leon, Sen. Manning Jr., Rep. McLain, Sen. Roblan.  Regular sponsors are:  Representative Barker, Boshart Davis, Bynum, Clem, Doherty, Evans, Fahey, Gorsek, Greenlick, Helm, Holvey, Keny-Guyer, Kotek, Lively, Marsh, Meek, Mitchell, Nathanson, Neron, Nosse, Piluso, Power, Prusak, Rayfield, Reardon, Salinas, Sanchez, Schouten, Smith G, Smith Warner, Sollman, Wilde, Williams, Williamson, Witt, Senator Beyer, Fagan, Frederick, Gelser, Wagner.

Your call or email in opposition to this bill is encouraged.  If your elected officials don't hear from you - they think you agree with their support of HB 2015.  It only takes a moment to call or email - do it today!

Background -- In 2014 Oregonians overwhelmingly defeated Measure 88 - a similar driver license bill - by a whopping two to one margin. In the 2014 election, 35 of Oregon's 36 counties voted against driver licenses for illegal aliens.  The bad bill, through a citizens Veto Referendum, was defeated in all five of Oregon's congressional districts.  A majority of Republicans, Democrats and Independents voted against issuing driver licenses to illegal aliens.

Now proponents of HB 2015 want to overrule the majority!  Don’t let them!

'No' to Driving Privileges for Illegal Aliens

WASHINGTON - The Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) marked a victory after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a district court decision to dismiss a case that sought to force the State of Oregon to grant driving privileges to illegal aliens.

IRLI had filed a friend-of-the-court brief in 2016 on behalf of its client Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR) in the case of M.S. v. Brown, in which plaintiffs looked to overturn as unconstitutional the outcome of the November 2014 general election in Oregon. Through the Oregon Constitution’s referendum veto process, Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected, by 66%, a bill passed by the he legislature and signed by the governor that would have extended eligibility for driving privileges to unlawfully present persons. OFIR was the driving force behind the referendum veto that collected the requisite number of signatures to get the issue placed on the ballot.

The case, brought by five admitted illegal aliens and two illegal alien special interest groups, was dismissed in May 2016 when an Oregon district court ruled that the plaintiffs could not show that an order from the court could redress their complaint as the court had no power to overturn a referendum or force the state to pass legislation giving illegal aliens driving privileges. In its brief, IRLI agreed with the district court and argued further that the plaintiffs also failed to demonstrate an injury, a necessary element of standing to sue, as illegal aliens have no constitutional right to driving privileges, and, in fact, do not even possess the constitutional right to interstate travel (which citizens and legal aliens possess) as a result of their illegal presence in the U.S.

There are a number of reasons why granting driving privileges to illegal aliens is not in the interests of states or their citizens. Among them, states have a legitimate interest in limiting their finite resources to citizens and legal aliens and in not allowing their government machinery to be a facilitator for the concealment of illegal aliens. There is also a legitimate concern that persons subject to immediate or subsequent deportation will not be financially responsible for property damage or personal injury due to automobile accidents. Finally, granting driving privileges to illegal aliens harms national security because, unlike legal aliens, illegal aliens have not undergone background checks or face-to-face interviews to determine whether they pose a national security threat.

“This is a tremendous win for residents of Oregon and the American people at large,” said Dale L. Wilcox, IRLI’s executive director and general counsel. “Since the presence of illegal aliens in the United States is a violation of federal law, the notion that those aliens should be granted the privilege to drive and the right to travel freely throughout the country is absurd. The result of this decision will be safer communities that better serve the interests of their citizens and legal residents.”  Read more about 'No' to Driving Privileges for Illegal Aliens

GREAT News - the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirms our stunning victory on Measure 88

Alert date: 
September 5, 2018
Alert body: 

We just learned from our attorneys that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the lawsuit against our victory in 2014 to overturn driver cards for illegal aliens - Measure 88.
 

Five self-identified, alleged illegal aliens filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Oregon for allowing the will of Oregon voters to overturn the bill giving an official Oregon driver card to illegal aliens. The bill that Measure 88 overturned was Senate Bill 833 which had passed both chambers of the State Legislature and was signed by Governor Kitzhaber with great fanfare on the steps of the Capitol before a large crowd on May Day, May 1. 2013.
 
The vast majority of voters understood the implications of giving an official state-issued, photo ID, in the form of a driver card to individuals who could not prove they are legally in the country, and they DEFEATED Measure 88, expressing their disapproval of Senate Bill 833.
 
For the record, Measure 88 was defeated by 66 percent of Oregon voters. Close to one million Oregonians voted against driver cards. Thirty-five of Oregon’s 36 counties voted it down. Eighteen counties voted by over 80 percent against it. Measure 88 lost in all five of Oregon’s congressional districts. A majority of Oregon Democrats, Republicans and independents voted against issuing driver cards to illegal aliens.
 
Our opponents outspent us roughly ten to one. One Hollywood TV star, gave a $50,000 donation to the pro driver card measure, almost as much money as our campaign had in total.
 
Measure 88 was debated in public forums, in newspapers, on the radio, in the voter’s pamphlet, and on TV. Voters had a clear understanding of the issue.  It’s not often we praise the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals - but, this time they deserve iit!
 
Measure 88 was a Referendum calling for a no vote to rid citizens of a bad bill that had passed the Legislature but had not yet been put into effect. 

Measure 105 is an Initiative which must have a YES vote to REPEAL a bad law that’s been on the books for years.
 
Let’s make it two victories in a row.  Let’s overturn Oregon’s sanctuary law - Vote YES on Measure 105.  Talk to your friends, neighbors, relatives and fellow citizens - ask them to Vote YES on Measure 105, too!
 
YES on Measure 105 Lawn and field signs will be available this weekend - go to
and order YOUR signs today!

A lesson not learned - try again

The majority party in the Oregon Legislature is failing to heed the clear will of the people in regards to Measure 88. 

Will the party in charge fail to listen yet again?  The results of the upcoming primary election are critical if Oregon is to remain the beautiful, livable state it once was.  What can be done to stop Oregon's decline?

Go to www.StopOregonSanctuaries.org and sign the petition.  Share the website with your friends, family and on social media.
  Read more about A lesson not learned - try again

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