Renee Kimball visited us at last week’s meeting and shared the importance of having a full slate of PCP’s (Precinct Committee Persons).

What is a PCP?

The smallest geographical area of elected representation is the precinct.  It usually contains up to about 5,000 registered voters.  The PCP, or Precinct Committeeperson, is the representative of registered voters in that precinct.  Precincts are ”neighborhoods” and, depending on density, can range from a few dozen blocks to a few square miles.  In counties such as Harney, however, they can be as large as several hundred square miles. For every 500 registered voters in a precinct (regardless of party affiliation) party members can choose 1 male AND 1 female ”Precinct Committeeperson”.  The PCPs can be chosen either in the primary election of even numbered years or appointed throughout their two year tenure by the other PCPs in the party.  Both major parties have the same number of PCPs which are selected by county.

Why Are they Important?

While I appreciate and support third parties, the reality of Oregon is that political press and organizations only give platforms to the two major parties.  Therefore, the two opportunities to have any substantial ”voice” in the political debate are the Democrats or the Republicans.  The party leadership and focus are determined by the PCPs.  They vote on everything that comes before the party from the county through the national levels.  This includes platforms, officers and delegates to the state party, congressional district and national parties.  The PCPs also determine the “State Electors” for the party who actually vote on the presidential candidates.  From the precinct up to the national party, they determine who runs the show and what are the governing policies.  If you want a party’s focus to be firmly planted on small g (government) and small t (tax), it all begins in the bedrock of electing and appointing PCPs who hold these values and priorities.

If you want your personal values and principles to be the foundation of the political power centers of governance, you have to elect individuals who hold those values and principles.  The entire structure of the political power centers is based on who is or is not a PCP.  No matter how many wealthy and influential individuals there may be at the top of the pyramid of power apparently determining the direction of the party, it ultimately CAN be defined by a foundation of PCPs.  For far too long, we have been trying to rule from the top down without success.  Changing the capstone on the pyramid makes no difference.  However, if a principled and unified foundation moves in a particular direction, the capstone has no choice but to follow.  If, however, the foundation abdicates it’s responsibility and power, the entire structure can be co-opted and commanded by a very few elite, powerful and usually unprincipled willing collaborators.

What are the duties of a PCP?

The barest minimum is attend the County Central Committee meetings (usually from 4 to 6 a year).  From there the answer depends on how much you want things to change and how sincere you are in putting time and energy into the process.  Ideally, the “involved volunteer” job description includes walking or calling your precinct in support of small g, small t candidates and issues, registering voters, attending town halls of and occasional visits to “representatives” to voice your concerns for/praise of their representation, phone banking for issues, candidates, meetings and educational opportunities.  You may be called on to distribute campaign materials, gather signatures or even hold gatherings for candidates.  It really depends on how determined you are personally to increase the net amount of freedom and replace command,  control and regulate hierarchy with constitutionally representative and principled leadership.

How to get involved?

Contact me directly Renee@EnufWaste.com or 503-238-6973 or download the PCP form from http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/publications/pdf/forms/SEL105.pdf and mail it to MCRP, PO Box 2241, Portland Oregon 97208.  Even if you’re from another county, I will make sure your form is sent to the appropriate individual in your county.  You can also go to the Multnomah County Republican Party website www.MultnomahGOP.org and fill out the volunteer form there.

Our next Central Committee Meeting is April 12th and we’re moving locations so I don’t have one yet however, if you sign up through the website, I’ll make sure you get notified.

Time lines…

You only need 3 votes to be elected a PCP.  If your name is on the ballot, you can pretty much be guaranteed of that.  However if there are more people than places, the positions go to the greatest number of votes.

You must have been registered Republican by September 8th to fill out the form and be on the ballot.  Filing deadline is March 9th

You must have been registered Republican by November 18th to be a write-in candidate on the ballot.  Write-in up to 8pm on election day.

Each county determines how long you must have been registered Republican in order to be an appointed PCP.

Sales tax proposal returns to radar

Lawmakers: Proceeds would pay for health coverage for all

By Peter Wong and Tracy Loew
Statesman Journal

A sales tax proposal is back at the Oregon Legislature — but even though it’s unlikely to advance this session, lawmakers say they are intrigued because its proceeds would pay for health coverage for every Oregonian.

John DiLorenzo, a Portland lawyer who lobbies on behalf of business clients, told lawmakers Tuesday that a sales tax earmarked for health care would offer savings for businesses and state government.

Employers would no longer be expected to pay health care premiums for their employees. That would boost Oregon’s economy, drawing hundreds of new employers to the state and increasing employment and income taxes, he said.

Oregon is one of the few states nationwide that could dedicate a sales tax to health care because the state currently has no sales tax, he said.

Sales tax proposals have failed nine times between 1933 and 1993, but DiLorenzo said Oregon voters rejected them because the proceeds would have gone into the state’s general fund for schools and state services.

“The current electorate, given real leadership, might view a constitutionally dedicated sales tax to finance basic health care as preferable to the prospect of the loss of their health care — given how precarious each person’s job happens to be today — and how unsustainable the current system really is,” DiLorenzo told the Senate Health Care Committee.

DiLorenzo said he was speaking only for himself. He said based on certain assumptions on benefits and deductibles, a 7 percent rate would be required, although there would be exemptions on food, housing and utilities.

The current legislative session is scheduled to end Feb. 28, and it took months for lawmakers to write two sales-tax proposals sent to voters in 1985 and 1993.

“The plan is great, but the details have to be looked at very carefully,” said Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, who is a physician.

Chairwoman Laurie Monnes Anderson, D-Gresham, who is a nurse, said she would encourage informal discussions during the interim, with the aim of moving forward with a bill in 2011.

“Businesses, I think, would love this,” she said. “With proper education, I think the public would too. The problem is the word sales tax.”

tloew@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6779; pwong@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6745