Oregon Stadium Campaign News

Portland, Play Ball!
August 8, 2003 :: Issue #6

Oregon's Quest to Play Ball Rolls on While Competitors Stall

To our thousands of Oregon Stadium Campaign supporters throughout the Northwest, we say, "Hello again!" To the nearly 500 new supporters who have come aboard during the past month, we are pleased to welcome you to the campaign with issue number six of our "Play Ball!" newsletter.

So, what's the latest on the campaign to bring Major League Baseball to Oregon?

The Oregon Stadium Campaign continues to work diligently to ensure a fair vote on the Senate floor for HB 3606, the MLB Jobs Bill in the Oregon Legislature. And as you'll read below, we need your help to get it done! The campaign has picked up valuable momentum in recent weeks, gaining strong support from community and business leaders throughout the state, not to mention Wednesday's news that Central Oregon representative and MLB Jobs Bill backer Ben Westlund is now a member of the Oregon Senate. Learn more about campaign activities and how you can help as we bring to you Play Ball! - Issue #6.

Contact State Senators!

The campaign to bring Major League Baseball to Oregon is fast approaching its crucial juncture in the Oregon Legislature and a few key senators are in position to determine the outcome of HB 3606, the MLB Jobs Bill. Your support has been critical to our progress thus far and we need one final push in the state Senate. Please take a brief moment to contact at least two of the senators listed below to urge them to bring jobs, economic development and Major League Baseball to Oregon by passing the MLB Jobs Bill. Please forward this message on to your friends, family and colleagues asking them to do the same.
Jason Atkinson, R-Jacksonville
900 Court St. NE S-216, Salem OR 97301 sen.jasonatkinson@state.or.us
503-986-1702

Peter Courtney D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn
900 Court St. NE S-203, Salem OR 97301 sen.petercourtney@state.or.us
503-986-1600

Avel Gordly, D-Portland
900 Court St. NE S-302, Salem OR 97301
sen.avelgordly@state.or.us
503-986-1723

Ken Messerle, R-Coos Bay
900 Court St. NE S-218, Salem OR 97301
sen.kenmesserle@state.or.us
503-986-1705		 Rick Metsger, D-Welches
900 Court St. NE S-307, Salem OR 97301
sen.rickmetsger@state.or.us
503-986-1726

John Minnis, R-Fairview
900 Court St. NE S-311, Salem OR 97301
sen.johnminnis@state.or.us
503-986-1725

David Nelson, R-Pendleton
900 Court St. NE S-206, Salem OR 97301
sen.davidnelson@state.or.us
503-986-1729

Kurt Schrader, D-Canby
900 Court St NE S-305 Salem, OR 97301
sen.kurtschrader@state.or.us
503-986-1720


The MLB Jobs Bill would enable Oregon to attract a Major League Baseball franchise by simply transferring the income tax revenue generated by an Oregon MLB team's payroll to cover a portion of the cost of a new ballpark. Most importantly, this project would produce 1,500 much-needed new jobs associated with the construction of the stadium and result in a considerable boost to our economy and national profile. For a detailed description of the economic benefits, please visit http://www.oregonstadiumcampaign.com/impact.htm. For more information on the bill, please go to http://www.oregonstadiumcampaign.com/financing.htm.

Community Leaders Throughout Oregon Embrace MLB Campaign

The campaign to bring MLB to Oregon has received the enthusiastic endorsement of Oregon community leaders at the edge of Oregon's borders in southern and eastern Oregon, just a few hours drive from the Portland area. Major League Baseball's status as a far-reaching tourism magnet was lauded in eastern Oregon by the President of the Pendleton Round-up and in southern Oregon in Grants Pass by the owner of Hellgate Jetboat Excursions and other local business leaders. Crater Lake representatives also stressed their fervent support for MLB and the economic boost it can bring to all of Oregon via an increased tourism base. They joined the growing number of Oregonians who recognize the economic and cultural benefits of MLB and are urging senators to pass HB 3606 - the MLB Jobs Bill. Look for more events around the state in the coming weeks!

More on the Oregon Stadium Campaign Out and About

Through a dedicated network of campaign volunteers, the Oregon Stadium Campaign has activated a major public outreach campaign at events like the Portland Historic Races, Beaverton SummerFest, Oregon Brewers Festival and several Portland Beavers' games. The campaign has received an enthusiastic reception from event attendees and several more events are scheduled for the month of August. Additional campaign volunteers are needed -- please contact Info@OregonStadiumCampaign.com if you would like to be part of the OSC Volunteer Team!

Portland TV Market Generates Strong Showing for All-Star Game

Continuing to demonstrate its status as one of MLB's strongest television markets, Portland registered a healthy 10.4 rating for the 2003 MLB All-Star Game on FOX 12, one point higher than the national average and more than two points above the mark of the Washington D.C. market. This rating is all the more remarkable when you consider the game was not in primetime, and is just one more example of Oregon's support for MLB. Now is the time to bring Major League Baseball to our own backyard -- let's make it happen by contacting the state senators above!

The proud founding sponsors of the Oregon Stadium Campaign are: Pacific Power, Platt Electric, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Oregon Sports Authority and Moffatt/Rosenthal.