Anne Marie’s Journey into Politics
I attended Capital Day for the first time in February 2009. I was also in the middle of my first year as a “learning coach” for my oldest child through Connections Academy. 
I was just beginning to realize that Senate Bill 767 would shut down all K-6th grade virtual schools in Oregon. Prior to this experience, I didn’t even know who my state legislators were. I definitely wasn’t a professional politician. I quickly realized, however, that the people affected by this proposal would need to band together in order to stop this measure from becoming law.
We faced Goliath and didn’t back down. We helped to expose the true intentions of this bill and reveal the lies by a special interest group. Even though Senate Bill 767 passed, it did so with over 50 amendments. It wasn’t perfect, but it had been watered down enough that it allowed virtual schools to remain open in Oregon. Unfortunately, this legislation capped enrollment, just like every other charter school in the state so there is more work to be done.
As I reflect back upon that adventure, I realize that some unintended, yet wonderful consequences came out of last summer. It laid the foundation for me to run for Oregon House of Representatives. After that whirlwind process of going to Oregon’s capital almost daily, sitting in hearings, making my parental face known, and a lot of testifying, I was hooked. This is why I want to be a voice for you in our capital.
Here are some of my thoughts on what I saw last spring that brought my to this place:
- The Democrats’ super majority that is over two decades old. Their attitude is aloof, rude, condescending, and dismissive. When the Democrats met me to discuss various issues, they would listen to placate my dissenting opinion, only to turn around and disregard everything said.
- The fourth branch of our government in Oregon’s capital is possibly more powerful than the governor. Who is that? The public employee unions have unchecked power in Oregon. Based on my observations, it’s a scary place to be if you’re on the dissenting side of what they want. I will stand strong on principle and not be intimidated by such tactics.
- Oregon’s legislature makes special interest projects, pet projects, and pork money spending more important to fund than essential services. Important things such as schools, roads, prisons, and police are not funded. Period. On the other hand, Oregon passed legislation to allow convicted criminals with long life sentences to petition for an early release if they could show good behavior, to relieve crowding. These are not criminals who do petty crimes. There have been several high profile, hard core, violent criminals who have had long sentences who have petitioned and received early released because of this legislation.
I’m just a normal mom. I juggle family responsibilities, run a small business, supervise my childrens’ education, and volunteer in my community and church. I drive a mini-van and live in northeast Portland. But I have also seen the power of what can happen when like-minded people come together for a common cause. When professional politicians know that “regular people” are watching, and that their in-box and appointment schedule will fill up immediately if they try to do something that is not in the public’s best interest, they begin to pay attention.
No one person can do all of the work. But when one voice echoes with all of our voices, we can accomplish a lot. I’ve seen it for myself.
See you on the Campaign Trail!
Anne Marie won 2009’s Parent Advocate of the Year. Anne Marie was instrumental in stopping SB 767 from passing in its original form last year. Its passage would have immediately shut down Oregon’s virtual schools.
