Welcome to the homepage of the Lewis & Clark Law School Democrats

Hey all!

The Oregon legislature wrapped last week and it was a HUGE session for the state. Thanks in part to a tremendous campaign effort run almost entirely by grassroots organizing, the Democratic Party of Oregon took control of the Oregon House for the first time in sixteen (16) years. The Lewis & Clark Law School Democrats played a major part in the campaign effort by making hundreds of phone calls, knocking on thousands of doors, leading House campaigns, and raising money (we played a major role in two fund raisers that raised over $10,000). The work wasn't glamorous, but it's the kind of on-the-ground political work that wins elections. In particular, we helped Oregon House candidate Rob Brading mount a huge effort against incumbent legislator and former House speaker Karen Minnis in Troutdale. Minnis won the race by a few hundred votes, but Oregon Republicans were forced to spend over a million dollars to defend the seat and pulled resources out of other races they then lost. In the end, Minnis squeaked in but was forced to give up the speakership.

Now we have the fruits of the Democratic win. I am sure many of us have qualms about politics -- but results speak louder than words. If you care about environmental protection, gay and lesbian rights, womens reproductive freedom, and education, this legislative session has been one of the most positive in decades. The blog BlueOregon recently compiled a list of some of the victories for progressive values the Democratic controlled legislature and governor accomplished this term. Take a look. And keep volunteering! Protecting our state -- our forests, rivers, and wildlife, our values, all of our communities from the least well-off to the most fortunate -- requires collective vigilance against the self-righteous and self-interested.

Great work, Lewis & Clark Law School Dems!

* Established a rainy day fund for the state budget

* Expansion of the Oregon Bottle Bill to include water bottles (~125 million/year)

* A 36% cap on predatory payday loans (down from 528% average)

* Guaranteed coverage for contraceptives in health insurance

* Guaranteed sexual assault victims access to emergency contraceptives

* Domestic partnerships for gays & lesbians

* Employment non-discrimination for sexual orientation

* Free speech and free press rights for student media

* A 22% increase in university budgets

* A $6.245 billion K-12 education budget, an 18% increase

* 3200 more children in Head Start

* Majority signup for unions ("card check")

* 25% renewable energy standard by 2025

* A biofuels incentive package

* Sent the voters a cigarette tax to fund health care for all kids

* Expanded the prescription drug purchasing pool

* Started the ball rolling toward universal health care in 2009

* Sent the voters a fix for Measure 37 that protects housing rights while stopping Wal-Mart

* An extensive identity theft protection law

* 100 new state troopers; 15 new forensic scientists

* The internet predator act

* An e-waste recycling program

* A 17% pay raise for Oregon's judges (who were lowest-paid in the nation)

* Restored the "Rule of 31" to the Oregon House; encouraging bipartisan cooperation

* Referred to voters a repeal of the "double majority" rule

* A wide-ranging and strict ethics package for all public officials

* Reform of the initiative process that boosts grassroots organizing, while regulating mercenaries

Make sure to register with CDA at http://www.collegedems. com to keep up to date with all of the Oregon State Activities.

Our Mission

The mission of the Lewis & Clark Law Student Democrats is to increase political awareness on campus; to educate students about the philosophy of the Democratic Party; to organize and participate in the election of Democratic candidates; and to affect political change on the local, state and national levels. Our organization is committed to furthering progressive values through political activism and the inclusion of all students and non-students who contribute to the achievement our goals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, physical handicap, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.

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