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This week's Rogue goes to state Sen. Gene Derfler and his colleagues who shot down Ellen Lowe's nomination to the state Commission on Children and Families. The commission, the state's largest advocacy group for kids and families, oversees county panels responsible for distributing state funds to programs aimed at everything from assisting victims of domestic abuse to reducing the high-school dropout rate. The commission consists of 21 members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Last Thursday, in an 11-13 vote, the Senate rejected Gov. John Kitzhaber's most recent nominee. As a lobbyist for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Lowe, known as "the Church Lady," has earned a reputation as one of the most articulate and credible advocates for this state's neediest citizens. "I was proud to vote for her," says state Sen. Lenn Hannon, one of five Republicans to support her nomination. "I wish more citizens would participate as actively as she does." Over the years, however, Lowe--like all lobbyists--has been at odds with many legislators. She's supported abortion rights, gay rights and a higher minimum wage while criticizing the state's welfare-to-work program, known as Jobs Plus. Given all the issues for which they could have attacked her, Lowe's opponents were oddly silent as they voted against her. Derfler told WW that he had raised his concerns about Lowe--particularly her criticism of Jobs Plus--in earlier meetings and at a closed-door caucus meeting earlier in the day. There may have been good reasons to vote against Lowe. If so, she deserved to hear them. Instead, she was left standing, tears in her eyes, wondering what she did wrong. It seems that a far worse fate than being named WW's Rogue of the Week ought to befall anyone who makes the Church Lady cry. But we'll leave that to higher authorities. |
