This is what Oregon Citizens Lobby does. Oregon Citizens Lobby is a statewide collaborative effort by citizens and organizations like AFP to promote legislative accountability. We analyze bills, lobby our representatives, provide testimony, and work with other citizens to let our legislators know that we are involved in the process, we are watching them, and we are keeping score. As you can imagine this kind of effort takes coordination, but, more importantly, it takes a large number of concerned citizens who are willing to volunteer their time and their talent to join in this effort.

The 2013 legislative session will begin on February 4^th. Between now and then, we will be training and organizing our members in preparation for the session. We hope that you will take the time to consider how you might contribute to our efforts and join our cause. Please fill out one of the signup sheets and send it in or go online and submit the information there.

Then join us at one of the following OCL trainings where we will teach you some basics on how to analyze and grade a bill. This will include how to use the technology we have designed to help make this citizen effort easier.

Trainings will be around the state as follows:

Monday,January 21^stfrom 6pm to 8pm at The Saddle Restaurant: 2220 SE Court Ave. Pendleton

Tuesday,January 22^ndfrom 6pm to 8pm at Shilo Inn: 3105 O.B. Riley Road. Bend

Wednesday,January 23^rdfrom 6pm to 8pm at the Medford Public Library: 205 South Central Ave. Medford

Thursday,January 24^thfrom 6pm to 8pm at the Springfield Utility Board (SUB): 223 “A” Str. Springfield

Monday,January 28^thfrom 6pm to 8pm at the West End Building, Willamette Rm.: 4101 Kruse Way, Lake Oswego

The Monday, January 28^thtraining in Lake Oswego will also be available live via the web in case anyone was unable to attend a prior training in person.

Click here to register to attend the webinar training online!

WAR ROOM: Oregon Citizens Lobby will also be conducting an onsite WarRoom (like the old broadcast news service) at the Oregon Legislature in Room 350 or 167A every Thursday (hours may vary depending on hearings and other legislative activities scheduled that day). Dates are as follows: February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27.

Thank you for your willingness to actively participate in the governance of our state. It is imperative that the citizens of Oregon remain vigilant during this and future legislative sessions. Without the voice of reason from the citizens of Oregon, there will be little accountability for the decisions legislators will be making on our behalf.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: oregoncitizenslobby@gmail.com.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens to support restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP is more than 2 million activists strong, with activists in all 50 states. AFP has 34 state chapters and affiliates. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org