BikePAC of Oregon, Inc.

Welcome to the BikePAC of Oregon website!

Greetings:
 
Well, the 2011 Legislative Session is over and although we had some small victories, our main objectives were a total loss. 
 
For the win column:  BikePAC was instrumental in killing a number of bills that were prejudicial and ridiculous.  The age limit bill for passengers that was introduced never made it out of committee.  The removal of our self imposed endorsement fee to support Team Oregon was opposed by even the Representative that introduced it once the reason for the added fee was explained and died a quick death. 
 
Unfortunately, Representative Tim Freeman’s bill to have an ethanol free gas pump at all stations was bogged down in committee and never got a shot at a vote.
 
Our main focus this year was on two major bills; Helmet Reform and Correction of a 2009 Gun bill.  Regarding the Gun bill, HB 2797 was a big win in the House only to have the Senate Committee, headed by Senator Prozanski, gut and stuff the bill until it was totally unrecognizable from its previous House version.  Fortunately, the bill died but instead Sen. Prozanski was able to stuff and gut HB 2792, a bill of similar language, and that bill passed.  Fortunately, some of the ridiculous language was corrected but unfortunately it did more harm than good and the original problem turned into a problem for CWL holders.  This is due to the powerful lobbying by school districts and others making a problem where none existed before.
 
Regarding the Helmet Reform bill, well, we got a chance to see politicking at its worst.  We were filibustered so badly that we got 9 ½ minutes for 5 people to present their case which amounted to most being cut off with their testimony unfinished and 2 were never heard at all.  Yet, the other side of the coin was fully presented.  It was obvious to all there that we were never intended to have a chance to show the committee that this bill would have resulted in jobs for Oregonians, more income for the State of Oregon and an increase in tourism dollars in the excess of 50 million dollars in the first 18 months.  We were dead before we even got started. 
 
Some people may want to give up now but BikePAC’s resolve is stronger than ever.  Thanks to Representative Andy Olson, who is just as mad as BikePAC is, this bill will be reintroduced again and again until it gets a fair hearing.  Rep. Olson did a fantastic job getting this as far as he did and we all owe him thanks for all of his work.  But, this was proof that politics as usual is still the name of the game in Salem.  Instead of our Representatives and Senators working for Oregonians, they are playing party games and not listening to their constituents.  Not all, of course, but enough so that good bills failed and bad bills passed, again.  Party heads put pressure on the voting and hearings and it seems to be the way of things right now.
 
In response, BikePAC of Oregon has decided to change its tactics and involvement.  To learn more about these changes, come to a BikePAC of Oregon meeting as we set up the new strategies and get ready for the future.  Thank you to everyone for their hard work but the job is not yet done.
 
Nic Oliver – Executive Director