Send us your announcements, news of events of interest, and needs for volunteers.  We'll pass them along.

1.  ACTION NEEDED
2.  ANNOUNCEMENTS
3.  EVENTS
4.  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
5.  SUCCESSES
6.  SHORT TAKES

Also:
VISIT AND USE BCDEMS WEBSITE
ABOUT HOTLINES
CONTACT THE BENTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS
DONATE ONLINE

1.  ACTION NEEDED

ALERT:  If you care about what happens to Oregon’s Measure 37, now is the time to contact senators and representatives.  And attend Rep. Gelser’s forum TODAY, February 1, to discuss the state and county challenges in the implementation of this measure.

2.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

BCDems needs a catchy, creative name for our new program to encourage people to pledge a monthly amount through their credit card. For any amount within your comfort range, you'll receive a discount and/or special treatment at BCDems events, a permanent name tag to wear at Dems meetings here and throughout the state identifying you as a monthly donor, a small classy (as yet undesigned) pin we hope you'll wear as a habit, and other benefits - we're still open to suggestions. BUT we need a good name as a focal point as we recruit members. Send your ideas to Biff Traber or Davi Richards by Wednesday, February 14. The executive committee will pick the best name and announce it at the regular monthly meeting on Thursday February 15. The winner will pick a PRIZE from our continuing stock of auction items.

 Be sure to take a look at Rep. Sara Gelser's e-newsletter  for her informative look at the legislative session and her role as our representative.  Sara says:  "I plan to send regular email updates from the Capitol during the 2007 Legislative Session. Please be sure to let me know if there are specific topics you would like to see included in the newsletter. "
 
You can also keep track of the progress in Salem by watching the proceedings online, or you can have committee agendas delivered directly to your email box.  Stay tuned for details about how to get information from The Oregon Channel.

3.  EVENTS

DAILY VIGIL protesting the war in Iraq, 5-6 pm in front of the Courthouse on 4th Street.  Democrats gather there on Thursday each week. (Note: this is a change of day to coincide with the new weekly “Surge Day.”)

February 1, TODAY, 7:00 pm:  Join Rep. SARA GELSER for “MEASURE 37: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?”  In the meeting room of the Corvallis/Benton County Public Library.  Have a conversation with the State Department of Lands and Conversation Director, former Rep. Lane Shetterly.

February 11, Sunday, 6:30 pm:  Corvallis Basic Rights Action Team (BRAT) will meet at OSU's Pride Center to begin discussions on legislative support for a comprehensive non-discrimination bill, including sexual orientation and gender identity, and a bill creating civil unions.  Pride Center is on the corner of 15th and A streets.  Everyone is welcome.

February 15, Thursday, 7:00 pm:  BCDEMS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING, Grace Lutheran Church, Harrison and Kings, Corvallis.  Doors open at 6:30.  Program TBA.

February 23, Friday (tentative date), 12:00 noon: Linn-Benton County Dems sponsor a DEMOFORUM ON “MEASURE 37: WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS?” Panel discussion with David Bernell, Political Scientist, OSU; Linda Modrell, BC Commissioner; Andrew Plantinga, Resource Economist, OSU; Kate Kimball, Staff Attorney, 1000 Friends of Oregon. Main Meeting Room, Corvallis-BC Public Library. Free, open to public. Sack lunches welcome. Email Dick Johnston or call him at 753-8321 to confirm date.

March 15, Thursday, 7:00 pm:  BCDEMS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING, Grace Lutheran Church, Harrison and Kings, Corvallis.  Doors open at 6:30.  Program TBA.

4.  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need someone with business-computer skills (Excel, Word, InDesign, etc.) to help with occasional communications projects. Please email Davi Richards, communications chair.

5.  SUCCESSES
The Healthy Kids Initiative cleared its first roadblock last week, when it passed out of the House Health Care Committee on a party line vote.  Rep. Sara Gelser voted in favor of the bill.  It moves on to the House Revenue Committee next.

6.  SHORT TAKES

For the latest newsletter from the DPO GLBT Caucus and Oregon Stonewall Democrats, which includes our 2006 Annual Report, download a copy. 

Homeland Insecurity…American Children at Risk,
Representative Charles Rangel (NY), the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, plans to examine how poverty negatively affects economic growth, sprawl, crime, health care, even national security. "We can't afford poor folks," he says. Check it out. Stay tuned.

Read about "Aggressive Progessive" House Democrats' New Direction for America. 
 

VISIT AND USE BCDEMS WEBSITE
You'll find up-to-the-minute information about BCDems and useful links to other sites. Under the "News" headings, you'll find the current issue of BCDems HotLines<!-- as well as DPO Capitol Insider (Democratic Party of Oregon) and other newsletters-->. You can also get access to post your own information and opinion. For questions, ask Rachel Ozretich . 

ABOUT HOTLINES
If you know someone who would like to receive HotLines, send their email address (with their permission), and be sure to put "HotLines" in the subject line. Or let them know they can sign up for HotLines on our website. We want HotLines to be useful to our subscribers. Send news items and events to be included to Linda Paschke . We also welcome comments, suggestions, criticisms, and general feedback on content, readability, length, frequency, and other thoughts.

CONTACT THE BENTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS
Mail: P.O. Box 232, Corvallis OR 97339
Email: bcdems@bcdems.net
Web: http://bcdems.net
Phone: 541.752.4848

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Benton County Democrats - Bringing People Together
P.O. Box 232
Corvallis, OR 97339
541.752.4848