On May 1st of this year, the governor signed the Drivers Card bill SB833 into law. It had been approved in both chambers after many years of advocacy and organizing. We want to share with you that last week, as you may have heard, opponents turned in signatures seeking to repeal the bill.
More information is in the press release, put out late Friday by the Safe Roads Coalition. This is disappointing news, but not the first time we have faced opposition. Stay posted! We will share updates as we have them about the next steps.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2013
Contact:
Oregon Safe Roads Coalition Spokespeople:
Jeff Stone, Oregon Association of Nurseries, 971-235-3868
Ron Louie, Retired Chief of Police Hillsboro, 503-523-7809
Coalition Responds to Opponents of Oregon’s Bipartisan Driver Card Law Turning in Signatures for Referendum
Oregon Safe Roads Coalition to monitor signature verification process and stay vigilant in protecting the public safety law
Salem, Ore. — This afternoon, opponents of SB833, a bipartisan law passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2013 that directs the Department of Transportation to issue driver cards to Oregonians who pass a driver’s test and provide proof of Oregon residency, submitted signatures to the Secretary of State’s office in effort to repeal the law.
The Oregon Safe Roads Coalition, made up of leaders from the business, law enforcement, and faith communities, express disappointment in SB833 opponents’ attempt to repeal the bipartisan law by confusing the issue and causing a delay in its implementation.
SB 833 is a common sense, public safety measure designed to improve traffic safety and reduce the number of unlicensed and uninsured motorists on Oregon’s roads.
“Oregon needs SB 833 because all drivers need to be able to take a driver test and know the rules of the road,” said Ron Louie, former Chief of the Hillsboro Police Department. “A referral of this measure to the ballot means that implementation of the law will be delayed, stalling a common sense measure that makes Oregon a safer place to live.”
“We are disappointed that a small but vocal minority has prevented this public safety measure from taking effect,” said Jeff Stone, Executive Director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. “This group’s effort was funded primarily from one out of state donor. We do not believe that their views represent the majority voice in Oregon that is ready to see laws like this take effect to make our roads safer.”
“From the perspective of the Portland Police Bureau,” remarked Mike Reese, Chief of the Portland Police Bureau, “this [law] will enhance the safety and well-being of all Oregon drivers.”
Although the opposition group to the public safety law say they have enough signatures, those signatures must now be reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State for validity. The process to send the bipartisan law to the November 2014 ballot still has a long way to go before being qualified. Safe Roads Coalition partners will stay vigilant and will be watching the process very closely as the Secretary of State’s office goes through the verification process.
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Oregon Safe Roads is a coalition of leaders and organizations from the business, law enforcement, and faith communities working on policies to keep Oregon’s roads safe. For more information, please email the coalition at info@oregonsaferoads.org