Oregon Public Broadcasting

A campaign aimed at keeping the Oregon National Guard in Oregon started Wednesday with a 7000 signature petition being handed into the Governor’s office. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The campaign is part of an effort in 18 states to bring National Guard troops back from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Supporters in Oregon have drafted a bill to enable Governor Ted Kulongoski to refuse a federal call up -- unless there’s  a constitutionally authorized federal directive.

Leah Bolger of ‘Veterans for Peace’ says the current directive is not valid because it’s expired and troops are no longer there for the stated goal of finding weapons of mass destruction.

Leah Bolger: “The keep the guard home campaign is trying to empower governors to stand up and say I am responsible for my state’s welfare and I need the guard to stay here and I will not release them to federal authority unless there is a valid authorization.”

Kulongoski’s office sent a representative to accept the petition, but did not take a stance on the issue.

In the past, however, he has bemoaned the low availability of troops for wildfires and other local problems.