HELP ALERT 05.08.07
HOUSE COMMITTEE MOVES NANNY STATE BILL


Today, the "House Education  Subcommittee On Education Innovation" bowed to the deep pockets and bare knuckle tactics of the OEA and passed a bill to expand Oregon's nanny state and erode further parental autonomy.

The committee passed out SB 392A which forces parents to send their children into the government schools a year earlier, with no consideration of the parent's assessment of the child's readiness. The committee passed an amendment that allowed the child to be placed in kindergarten rather than first grade, but does not allow parents to make the decision to keep their child home until age 7.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Vicki Walker came to testify that she would prefer to force children into school at age 5! She opposed any amendment that would allow parents to opt out if they felt their child should stay out of school for one additional year. The bill passed out of committee on a party line vote with all Democrats voting to attack parental rights and all Republicans voting to protect parental rights. (Those voting  for parents were Dallum, Minnis and Whisnant.)

Initially Democrat Ben Cannon voted NOT to move the bill, but changed his vote when the subcommittee agreed to move the bill to full committee with "no recommendation". Representative Buckley, who chairs the full committee, noted that if the bill was in full committee, they would be "rid of Representative Cannon" who does not serve on the full committee.

This dangerous bill now goes to the full House Education Committee. It is scheduled to be heard tomorrow.

Another vote will be taken there. Please, DO NOT give up. Remember, the people making these decisions may be in the pocket of the teachers' union, but in the end they were hired, and can be fired, by voters. It is critical that you make your voice heard in opposition to this attack on your rights.

This bill DOES affect you if you are a home schooler. Please contact the full committee with the simple message NO ON SB392A. You do NOT have to live in their districts to express your opinion (no matter what their staff tells you). Remind them that you may not be able to vote for their opponent. but you certainly can contribute to his or her campaign.

Contact information for the full committee and a sample message follows:

________________________________________________________


Dear Representative,
SB 392 A is a dangerous attack on parental rights. Its sponsor made it clear that she would prefer to force 5 year olds into school whether their parents approved or not.
Clearly this attempt to force 6 year olds into school is only the beginning.
Parents are the people best equipped to make choices for their young children. I strongly urge you not to pass this bill without an exemption for children whose parents have determined that their children would be better served starting school later.

Very truly yours,

___________________

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Peter Buckley, Chair 503- 986-1405 rep.peterbuckley@state.or.us
John H Dallum, Vice-Chair  503-986-1459 rep.johndallum@state.or.us
Betty Komp, Vice-Chair  503-986-1422 rep.bettykomp@state.or.us
Brian Clem  503-986-1421  rep.brianclem@state.or.us
Mitch Greenlick 503-986-1433  rep.mitchgreenlick@state.or.us
Jerry Krummel 503-986-1426 rep.jerrykrummel@state.or.us
John Lim 503-986-1450  rep.johnlim@state.or.us
Arnie Roblan 503-986-1409 rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us
Gene Whisnant 503-986-1453 rep.genewhisnant@state.or.us