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Oregon Stadium Campaign
News
Portland, Play
Ball!
May 14, 2003
:: Issue #4
"ROUNDING SECOND"
MLB Jobs
Bill 3606 Rolls through Oregon House
Following impassioned
speeches by Rep Dan Doyle, Rep. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Vic Backlund, who
delivered his while waving a catcher's mask to highlight the protection secured
for the Oregon taxpayer, the Oregon House passed HB3606, also known as the MLB
Jobs Bill, by a comfortable 33-25 vote. In fact, sponsors felt secure enough in
the outcome to allow the vote on a day when two Yes votes were unable to attend
the session. The vote was bipartisan and garnered support from all corners of
the state. Rep. Mitch Greenlick -- interviewed by the Portland Tribune --
helped explain why.
Greenlick, like others who admitted some initial
skepticism, took a step back from the bill and saw that it promised 1,500
direct construction jobs and at least an equal number of indirect support
jobs.
"We have a 40 percent unemployment rate among the construction
trades, and putting this up would be like building six Fox Towers," he
said.
The Tribune went on to report that (Greenlick's) support "suggests
that the Oregon Stadium Campaign, whose members are the measure's key
advocates, is pushing the right lobbying buttons: The group is espousing
baseball as an economic stimulator for the state."
The bill now will be
assigned to a Senate committee for a hearing and vote before the full Senate
gets its chance to further stimulate Oregon's economic recovery. With the
legislative session winding down toward some heated discussion of budget cuts
and education funding, all MLB supporters are encouraged to contact their state
senators and remind them of the economic stimulus and jobs that HB3606 can
provide.
Click here to read The Oregonian's editorial strongly urging the
legislature to pass the MLB Jobs Bill.
FORTUNE 500+
Business
Support Swells
It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we
were excited about our ability to report that Oregon business support had grown
to more than 400 companies, featured in a full-page ad in The Oregonian and
other media outlets. Would you believe that number has exploded to more than
530 businesses now? These businesses not only support the effort, but also are
lending their name and muscle to the cause. Look for another public display of
this list in the coming weeks!
SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT
FATHER'S DAY GIFT?
Why not Gear & Golf?
 Due to high demand we are about to offer OSC "Fan Packages" through
our website that will feature a snappy blue OSC baseball cap (already in high
demand), an OSC t-shirt, two stylish OSC decals, and two OSC postcards, all for
the very low price of $36.06. Too bad the MLB JOBS Bill number wasn't $19.95 --
but we assure you that any profits from this endeavor will be poured right back
into the campaign. Look for the OSC "FAN PACKAGE" on the site next
week.
Speaking of which, don't forget to sign up for the Oregon Stadium
Campaign Celebrity Golf Tournament at Pumpkin Ridge May 22. Surprise guests
will include at least 10 MLB "old-timers," all living in the Greater Portland
area, and all VERY supportive of the effort to bring MLB to our friendly
confines. Click here for more golf tournament info!
The proud founding
sponsors of the Oregon Stadium Campaign are:
Pacific Power,
adidas,
Platt Electric,
The Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde, Oregon
Sports Authority and
Moffatt/Rosenthal. |
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