From the desk of Kim Thatcher

News Laws Coming After 2008 Special Session

Get ready for several new laws to take effect in the months ahead after the legislature convened in special session last month. The “test drive” for annual legislative sessions lasted for 15 week days in February. 109 bills were up for consideration; 73 passed. One of the changes I worked very hard to pass will tighten up eligibility for an Oregon drivers’ license. I also pushed for a measure to crack down on the revolving door of our state prison system.
Thatcher Supports 2nd Amendment in National Court Case
By early summer the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on a landmark case which could have far reaching impacts for gun owners across the country. Representative Thatcher and State Representative Linda Flores joined a lawsuit to throw out Washington, D.C.’s 30-year-old ban on handguns.
New Government Accountability Backed by Thatcher
A new watchdog group, created by the Legislature, will go to work in July to oversee the bureaucracy in state government. Since last fall, Representative Thatcher has been pushing for the Committee on Performance Excellence to hold agencies responsible, and root out waste. Senate Bill 1099 will also improve state audits. Link up here for details.
Dueling Ballot Measures in November – Elections Integrity on The Line
This fall Oregonians will be asked to choose between two competing ballot measures dealing with property and drug crimes. One from a citizen’s initiative, the other placed there by the Legislature. Representative Thatcher did not feel the legislative proposal was tough enough on property and drug offenders so she opposed the plan. Perhaps even more important were tricky maneuvers by lawmakers to stack the deck in favor of this alternative measure jeopardizing the integrity of our elections process.

Volcanoes Erupt with Joy- Legislative Home Run
Opening Day, July 17th, 2008 has been declared “Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Baseball Day in recognition of the outstanding success and contributions of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes both on and off the field”. That’s the wording from House Concurrent Resolution 101 enacted last month. The Volcanoes were recently named National Minor League Team of the Year out of 184 teams across the country after winning back to back championships over the past two years. That makes them the most successful team in the 53-year history of the Northwest League of Professional baseball.
Kudos for Kim
Life isn't always about the legislature for Representative Thatcher. In addition to running two small businesses, raising four kids, and activities at church, she makes time to give back to the community. Her work as a volunteer for SMART - Start Making a Reader Today- was recently recognized in a regional newsletter.
Thoughts for Thatcher: Name the top 3 issues that matter most to you in Oregon.
Last newsletter question: Should there be mandatory minimum sentences for property criminals and drug dealers? What about first time offenders -- prison or probation?
63% prison
25% probation (as determined by a judge or considering the severity of the crime)
12% want something stricter than probation but want punishment short of prison
Thank you for your feedback.
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