Politics & Education: You Make a Difference

Why is your Association in politics? It’s a fair question.
Simply put, the funding and policy decisions that affect your workplace, career, friends, and family are being made in your district, in Salem, and in Washington D.C.

But time and again, over the last 150 years OEA members have won major victories to both defend and set new standards for public education in Oregon.

OEA members, their families, and friends make up five percent of the voting population in Oregon. That’s a strong voting bloc, and the reason why you and your fellow OEA members are sought out and consulted by decision-makers on public education funding and policy issues.

Election 2008 in Oregon marked generation-defining votes for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the Oregon Legislature. Those votes are now leading to decisions on policy and funding that affect public education in Oregon and our state's future.

Racketeer Bill Sizemore is at it again, and again. He and his cohorts consistently crank out harmful ballot measures that, though familiar, seek to attack and diminish the ability of workers to exercise their rights to make their opinions felt in an era where corporations and other special interests are running roughshod over essential public services. Read more at www.oregoned.org/sizemoretrial

Not contesting the efforts of Sizemore and his cohorts would have eliminated billions of dollars from Oregon public education. That would wreak great harm to your job, your neighborhood schools, and Oregon's economy.

Oregon voters really, really like you
Don’t be tricked by coordinated media campaigns and cranky letters to the editor. Polls show Oregon voters rely on educators as the most preeminent experts on what’s best for the classroom and public education. They trust and wait to hear from their local educators more than the school board, politicians, or any other stakeholder you can think of.

Your help is needed.

Get informed
Sign up for OEA's email newsletters: Newsflash and Politics & You at www.oregoned.org/subscribe

Follow OEA on Facebook, we'll be posting news updates, events, and topical articles about current education and labor issues. http://www.facebook.com/OregonEA

Take local action
Check in with your building representative and Local Association for events and activities in your area.

Participate in candidate recommendations
Did you know that no OEA member dues go to support candidate elections? Instead, OEA has a political action committee, OEA-PIE, that accepts voluntary donations and is the decision-making body that determines which candidates are recommended by OEA members. Visit: www.oregoned.org/pie

Huge gains for public education, with more to come
In Election 2006, OEA members voted at an 80% rate, got 78.8% of their pro-education candidates into the Oregon Legislature, and re-elected Governor Ted Kulongoski. That led to record boosts to public school funding and huge improvements in educational policies and member benefits.

Election 2008 was even greater: OEA members registered to vote cast their ballots at an astonishing 95% rate. The closing weeks of the election season saw OEA's first statewide canvassing effort in ten years. Phone banks got the word out about important ballot measures. Publicity campaigns and coordinated efforts with pro-public education advocates, fellow unions, neighbors, friends, and family made for a hugely successful Election Day.

Oregon voters agreed with OEA members 100% of the time on the long ballot measure roster (12 for 12), statewide races ( 4 for 4), and on all the federal races. 90% of recommended candidates for Oregon Senate were elected, as were 79% of  the recommended Oregon House candidates.

There are more victories ahead for us as we work together. Oregon waits for us.