Author: Team BerniePDX

Tuesday, August 15, 7-9pm: BerniePDX Meeting w/ Theresa Kohlhoff for HD-38

Come meet our recent BerniePDX-endorsed candidate, Theresa Kohlhoff, who is running for State Representative to replace Ann Lininger in HD-38! We hope Neil Simon, the other candidate we endorsed, can make it too!

Theresa will tell us what we can do to help her campaign and get this progressive champion in the legislature – Multnomah and Clackamas County Commissioners will appoint someone to fill the seat next month! Read our endorsement statement at www.berniepdx.us/theresa

Get updates and volunteer to help with our BBQ September 10.
Discussion of current events and how we’re taking action. Other agenda items tbd. Hope to see you there!

* The space has A/C *

Location: Watershed Bldg (which BTW has AC!), 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland

Please email or call your county commissioner asking them to vote for Theresa or Neil for HD-38 to replace Ann Lininger!

We have provided an email template below you can copy and paste to make this as quick and easy as possible. Thank you for taking action!

Multnomah County Commissioners:

Deborah Kafoury: mult.chair@multco.us, 503.988.3308
Sharon Meieran: district1@multco.us, 503.988.5220
Loretta Smith: district2@multco.us, 503.988.5219
Jessica Vega Pederson: district3@multco.us, 503.988.5217
Lori Stegmann: district4@multco.us, 503.988.5213

Clackamas Commissioners: bcc@clackamas.us

Email Template:

To: Multnomah Commissioners: mult.chair@multco.us, district1@multco.us, district2@multco.us, district3@multco.us, district4@multco.us
Clackamas Commissioners: bcc@clackamas.us

Dear Commissioners,

As [YOUR CONSTITUENT] or [A RESIDENT OF HD-38] and member of BerniePDX, I ask that you vote for Theresa Kohlhoff or Neil Simon to fill Ann Lininger’s seat in House District 38. Theresa and Neil represent the type of bold progressive leadership needed in Salem to fight for tenants’ rights, corporate tax reform, universal healthcare, and to take meaningful steps to combat climate change. Both candidates understand the importance of grassroots engagement and would bring impressive experience to the legislature.

Theresa has already demonstrated her electability, as she handily won her position on the Lake Oswego City Council in a contested election. Neil serves on multiple committees and has long been involved in politics at both the local and international level. I ask that you vote for Theresa or Neil because we need a grassroots progressive to solve the pressing problems impacting the people of Multnomah and Clackamas County.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and look forward to hearing back regarding who you plan to support for House District 38.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]

Endorsement Statement:

BerniePDX endorses Theresa Kohlhoff and Neil Simon for State Representative to fill Ann Lininger’s seat in House District 38. Theresa and Neil have a good handle on the issues that BerniePDX believes are most important for Oregonians. They are in favor of raising corporate taxes to pay for essential public services like education and healthcare. They support Single-Payer Medicare-for-All, enacting campaign contribution limits, and lifting the statewide pre-emptive ban on rent control.

Theresa, a Lake Oswego City Councilor, handily won her seat in a contested race without compromising her progressive values. Neil has been involved in politics for many years, from the local to international level. We are confident that if appointed, either candidate would be able to keep their seat in the legislature against a Republican opponent in the 2018 election. We encourage the Precinct Committee Persons in HD-38 as well as the Multnomah and Clackamas County Commissioners to vote for Theresa Kohlhoff or Neil Simon.

Meet the candidates and find out how to help at our next BerniePDX meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 7-9pm at 5040 SE Milwuakie Ave. 

View the BerniePDX candidate endorsement questionnaire for this race here.

Sign the ballot petition to put an Oregon constitutional amendment on the 2018 ballot to allow campaign contribution limits in our state! David Delk will update us on this game-changing initiative and how we can help pass it! David will also discuss the efforts to create a public bank in Portland and how this can stimulate the local economy, help insulate us from financial crises, and break our connection to big banks.

We’ll talk about the upcoming BerniePDX Anniversary BBQ and more!

RSVP, share, & invite friends on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1197417080363307/

Location: 5040 SE Milwuakie Ave. Portland

Trump is planning to renegotiate NAFTA this summer! Oregon Fair Trade Campaign will give us an update and explain how we can be involved in the fight to make NAFTA a good deal for workers and the environment.

Albert Lee recently attended the Black Campaign School in DC! He’s going to give a report back of what he learned about campaigns, running for office, and much more!

RSVP, Share, & Invite friends on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/613920062149681/

Location: 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave. Portland

David Carlson will join us to discuss a ballot initiative to allow people to sign ballot petitions online! This would revolutionize the Oregon initiative process and reduce the amount of funding needed to create political change!

More agenda items to come. As always, we’ll talk about upcoming events and ways to get involved! Know of a local event or an important issue? Come share!

RSVP, Share, & Invite friends on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1362494023827631/

Location: Watershed Bldg, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland

Several BerniePDXers attending the People’s Summit in Chicago on June 9-11 will report on what they experienced and what they learned over the weekend. Go to https://www.thepeoplessummit.org/schedule/ to see a schedule of speakers and livestream sessions.

RSVP here & share: https://www.facebook.com/events/311264902662773/

Location: Watershed Bldg, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland

Yesterday we lost a member of our local Bernie community and a public servant, both of whom stood up against hate. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Rick Best were killed by a known white supremacist after defending two Muslim women from the nazi’s bigotry and violence. BerniePDX stands in solidarity with all those who actively oppose racism and xenophobia. We must not let the cries for unity in this time silence the voices of those who are targeted because of the way they look or their religion. We cannot forget that our state, which is so often hailed as progressive, has one of the most racist histories in the country. Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the victims.

If you would like to donate to the families of the victims to help with funeral costs, the other hero who survived but needs help with medical bills, or the two Muslim women who were attacked, please click here: http://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2017/05/28/19044093/heres-where-to-donate-to-help-the-survivors-and-victims-families-of-fridays-hate-attack

Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche at the Bernie Sanders Oregon Campaign Headquarters in Portland. 

Join Congressman Blumenauer for Public Forum on: Universal health care. Medicare for all. Single-payer. What would these mean for you and your family? How can we make these proposals law?

Guest speakers will include:
•T.R. Reid, Author of New York Times Bestseller, “The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper and Fairer Health Care”
•State Senator Michael Dembrow
•State Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer
•Dr. Samuel Metz, Oregon Physicians for a National Health Program
•Dr. Paul Gorman, Health Care for All Oregon (moderator)

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Seated capacity will be limited at this event. Please plan accordingly.

Location: First Unitarian Church, 1211 SW Main St., Portland

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1557373467606752/

What’s next after the election? Furthering Bernie’s agenda locally, of course!

We’ll learn about a city-wide ballot initiative that will tax corporations to pay for renewable energy infrastructure projects! We’ll discuss the upcoming grassroots rally and budget-hearing in Salem!

We’ll also hear about the status of Single-Payer Universal Healthcare in the state and country in preparation for Rep. Blumenauer’s town hall on the topic! Heard the term “Single-Payer” a lot, but not quite sure what it entails? Come learn the details!

RSVP, SHARE & INVITE FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/107069293204843/?active_tab=discussion

Location: 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave. Portland

Last night was a HUGE win for local progressive politics!!

All of the candidates BerniePDX endorsed in the May Special Election won their elections!!!! Proof that grassroots, people-powered campaigns WORK!!

Thank you for knocking doors, making calls, donating, texting, attending meetings and events, posting on social media, spreading the word, voting, and making BerniePDX a force for progressive political change!

Congratulations to our endorsees: New Portland School Board members Rita Moore & Scott Bailey; new Portland Community College Board Director Valdez Bravo; and new David Douglas School Board members Stephanie D. Stephens and Ana Del Rocío!!

Special thank you to Our Revolution for supporting Rita and Valdez!

ALL of the Portland initiatives also passed!! Portland students will soon be able to drink out of the water fountains at their schools thanks to the School Bond! The city auditor will have more independence to properly audit city agencies, and short-term vacation rentals will be taxed the same amount as hotels to help fund public services!

See you Tuesday at 7pm (5040 SE Milwaukie Ave)!

Thank you for continuing the progressive Political Revolution!!

In Solidarity,

The BerniePDX Leadership Team