CCCC Meeting January 31, 2006
El Tapitio Restuarant - Rainier
Attendees:, Josette Hugo, Karen Ladd, Donna Nyberg, Jon Nyberg, Margaret Magruder, Elaine Heck, Nancy Bubl, Chip Bubl, Paula Becks, Phil Derby, Rod Bennion, Jolene Jonas, Karen Greeney, Dave Freytag, Patrick Cunningham, Roger Wuollet, Betsy Johnson
Excused: Brad Witt, Ted Olson, Nancy Federici, Bill and Claudia Eagle
Guests: Dave Gardner
Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 7:10, followed by the introductions.
Last month’s meeting minutes were approved with the correction of the spelling of Karen Greeney’s name and noting that Brad Witt attended the State meeting in Dec.
Treasurer Report: Read and accepted.
Beg Bal. $2098.06
Dec. Auction Proceeds 62.50
1st Dist. Auc. Proceeds 128.25
Donation James Bender 25.00 Postage (22.20)
New Balance $2291.61
Speaker Dan Gardner, Oregon Commissioner of Labor:
Quick takes from the speech:
Dan Gardner came up in the union as an electrician. The average age of a construction worker is 46 years of age thereby demanding the need for more apprentices. In the aftermath of Katrina, the Bush Administration suspended the Davis-Bacon Act allowing wages to fall to $5.15 per hour – not even a living wage for the workers as they try to rebuild their homes. Here in Oregon, we have Measure #25, the minimum wage law that stops such action. The highest employer cost across the country is disability and health care (These are merely a sprinkling of the remarks made during an informative presentation.) At the close of remarks, Dan asked for a period of Q&A.
On immigration:
The task force evaluating the implications of illegal immigrants on wages is heavy.
We need to stop the practice where ever it occurs and will to the extent that it is within our legal oversight which means government projects. Private companies are outside the state’s domain.
We are Pro-Hispanic workers, legal workers.
On the gubernatorial race:
No one sufficient to challenge Gov. Kulongoski has committed and although we don’t always agree with him, he is a good candidate. The Republican candidates are scary.
At the close of questions, Dan asked for our support in his bid for reelection. The contribution envelopes passed out earlier were collected and returned. We want to thank Dan Gardner and his staff for coming to our meeting and giving us a personal insight into the workings of Oregon’s Bureau of Labor.
Updates:
Sen. Betsy Johnson
Reported that she has been spending this off session working—on the Rules Committee’s House/Senate joint audit. She has also been traveling throughout Dist 16 doing on-the-scene damage inspections of the flooding that has occurred. She has also been working with the OECD oversight committee and on the reevaluation of the Oregon ethics laws with emphasis on transparency in campaign financing.
Sen. Johnson informed us that she and Reps. Brad Witt and Debbie Boone have a weekly Monday morning conference call to co-ordinate agendas and for general information-sharing…except this last Monday. There was a Q&A period following.
Jolene Jonas
Jolene reported on the Lewis and Clark Global Warming Meeting reporting that ½ of their agenda was spent discussing how to help electing Democrats with the other ½ focused on environmental concerns.
The DPO will be meeting Feb. 25 & 26th in Astoria. Those attending can stay at the Red Lion or the Cannery Pier Hotels. Jolene is working with the DPO on the agenda for the weekend.
The State Platform convention will be held on June 3 & 4. We are allowed to send 11 persons. Any of us that would like to go should contact Jolene. Let’s fill up those spots.
Other Business:
The Articulation Workshop discussed at the last meeting has been rescheduled for Feb 25th & April 1st - 9am – 3pm both days. The cost is $65 per person for the combined dates and space is limited. This is a multi county workshop so get your reservations in early. http://www.dpo.org/cgi-bin/calview.pl?head=1
Karen Greeney asked whether we wanted to put a PCP filing application on our website. The discussion expanded to other areas where our website could become a factor in enlarging Democratic participation, recruit volunteers and carry on fund raising. Karen agreed to help out toward that goal coordinating with our webmaster, Bill Eagle. It was decided to put the items donated for this evening’s Fundraiser Auction on the website and link it to sites (e-bay style) where they could get a larger audience.
Jolene brought up the button-maker purchased last year and asked for someone to commit to using that resource for campaign fund raising. Donna Nyberg volunteered and was so designated. Slogans will be needed as we move into the ’06 election year.
Jolene requested that someone volunteer to plan the educational content to be used at all our booths this summer; County Fair, Sauerkraut Festival, Vernonia…. Betsy will gather candidate info.
Next Meeting Locations TBA
Feb 28 in Scappoose
March 28 in Vernonia
Minutes submitted by Donna Nyberg, Sec’y
