Oregon CSE Day at the Capitol Sends a Message to Lawmakers

On June 12th, Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy(CSE) held its first annual Day at the Capitol. More than 300 volunteer activists from around the state traveled to Salem and meet with their elected officials, attend hearings, and testified before the state legislature.

During the events at the Capitol, CSE activists emphasized the themes of less government, lower taxes, and more freedom. In particular, more than two dozen activists testified about their opposition to the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) regulations known as the 4(d) rules, and the federal government’s approach to endangered species protection. CSE activists asked their state legislators to take some specific steps: 1) urge Oregon’s congressional delegation to lead the fight for new, market-based approaches to species recovery; 2) stop destroying healthy hatchery fish while reforming hatchery practices; 3) help citizens respond to frivolous Endangered Species Act lawsuits; and, 4) press NMFS to speed up the process of recovery planning.

After the events at the Capitol, Oregon CSE hosted a luncheon to present awards to outstanding state legislators. Friend of the Taxpayer Awards were given to Representatives Vic Backlund, Betsy Close, Jeff Kropf, Kevin Mannix, Senate Majority Leader Gene Derfler, and Senators Verl Tarno and Ted Ferrioli. The Golden Friend of the Taxpayer Award — which is given to one Senator and Representative each year — was presented to House Speaker Lynn Snodgrass and Senator Gary George.

Russ Walker, director of Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy thanked legislators for taking time to meet with activists and hear their concerns. “This was a great event,” said Walker. “I hope this will be the first step in changing the way we protect our region’s wildlife. CSE will definitely be back at the capitol next year to move our issues forward.”

Find out more about CSE Day at the Capitol by directing your browsers to the article in the Oregon Statesman Journal, Hundreds rally against fishing rules.