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Posted January 10th, 2008 by OBA Administrator in General
We asked a few political pros - and OBA members - to contribute to this week’s Balanced Voice by giving us a prediction for a segment titled:
OBA INSIDERS - TELL US SOMETHING WE DON’T KNOW
Gary Conkling - Managing Partner, Conkling Fiskum & McCormick
“2008 may become one of those watershed election years when voters express their exasperation by turning to anti-establishment candidates who promise change. Tired of constant partisan bickering and political stalemate, voters will give the edge to candidates who seek consensus rather than confrontation. Both trends push the sails of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.”
Len Bergstein - President, Northwest Strategies, OBA Board Member
“Health care and anti-smoking advocates will re-calibrate their efforts in the wake of Ballot Measure 50 — focusing on cigarette taxes in select local jurisdictions…in turn forcing representatives of tobacco companies to plead with the 2009 State Legislature for pre-emption through a modest state-wide, uniform tax on cigarettes and tobacco products.”
Larry Campbell - President, The Victory Group, Inc., Former Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
“Oregon will gain an additional seat in Congress as the result of shifts in the national population. This increase will give Republicans an excellent opportunity to gain a seat in Oregon.”
Dave Barrows - Principal, Dave Barrows & Associates
“When Oregonians vote in the May primary, the Republican presidential nomination will still be unknown, thus Oregon will play a role in picking the nominee.”
Brian Gard - President/CEO, Gard Communications, OBA Board Member and Immediate Past Board Chair
“Speaker Jeff Merkley rose to the occasion in the 07 House session, but look for Majority Leader Dave Hunt’s influence to increase in the February session as Merkley’s race against Steve Novick turns into more of a contest than was expected.”
Mary Ellen Glynn - Senior Project Manager, Pyramid Communications, Gov. Kulongoski’s former Communications Director.
“Somewhere, somehow, some entity in Oregon will enact a carbon tax in 2008, and Republicans will jump on board.”
If you would like to make a prediction of your own or comment on the OBA Insiders’, fill out the form below.
Look for the OBA Insiders to return with more predictions soon.
Posted January 4th, 2008 by OBA Administrator in General
We are proud to present our new website. We have worked with Mark Wyner Design to improve the design, architecture and overall experience for our existing- and prospective-members.
As part of this new OBA-Online effort, we want to hear from you. If you have an issue that you would like to address, please let us know and we welcome any thoughts or suggestions you have for the website or the Balanced Voice weekly newsletter.
Posted January 4th, 2008 by OBA Administrator in Good Government
The Oregon Open Primary - Its Time is Now
By Phil Keisling
A century ago, Oregon voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure to abolish the proverbial “smoke-filled room” of party bosses, and require Democratic and Republican nominees to be selected directly by voters.
Today, it’s time for a similarly bold step: abolish Oregon’s existing political party primary.
In its place, the Oregon Open Primary would give every Oregon voter, regardless of personal party affiliation (or lack thereof), an identical ballot in the May primary election. All candidates would be listed. Voters could then vote for their favorite candidate, in each race, regardless of their (or the candidates’) party affiliation, or lack thereof.
The top two voter-getters – again, regardless of party affiliation – would advance to the November election.
Oregon Business Association took a leadership position on this fundamental reform, endorsing the Open Primary in 2005 and working hard to pass it in both the 2005 and 2007 legislative sessions. While a 2006 initiative effort fell just short, in January 2008 a new ballot measure will begin circulating, which will need approximately 82,000 valid signatures by July, 2007.
(To learn more, sign the petition or help in other ways go to www.oneballot.com). Continue reading…
Posted January 4th, 2008 by jefgreen in General
Oregon Business Magazine
January 8, 2008
Oregon Business magazine highlighted OBA plans for the 2008 Legislative Special Session which include funding the Big Look Task Force and passing a bill that would create a tax credit for companies that exceed environmental emissions standards. Click here to the read the article.
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