Politics

On May 15th, Oregonians received some good news in regard to our financial outlook. Short version: the State has roughly 770 million dollars more than they expected for the biennium budget (despite a 1.4 billion kicker, but that’s another story). However, much of that will be put into reserves for the predicted economic downturn heading our way. We need to contact legislators in order to make sure we can get the Public University Support Fund (PUSF) funded at 120 million. That would mean students would see a less-than-5% increase to their in-state tuition. Of course, we should still be asking…

May 23, 2019 SB 1049-A has moved out of the Senate in a 16-12 vote and is now headed to the House. Shenanigans continue as well as a complete and utter disregard for process: The Bill was scheduled for a vote tomorrow, then re-scheduled for a different time tomorrow, and then ended up on the Senate floor as “special business.” More details below, as well as a link to the full-text of the Bill. Word on the legislative street: more Dems in the House (vs. Senate) are primed to vote no. Keep the calls and emails flowing… SB 1049-A Latest…

May 21, 2019 Today SB 1049 passed through the final budget committees and is headed to the Senate floor for a vote (if successful, will then move on to the House). We are hearing from lawmakers that your emails are starting to have an effect and we have a chance to stop this bill. But lawmakers need to hear from you right now in order to keep the pressure on. We need you to call and email your senator and state representative. Here’s how: PHONE. Time is running out so right now phone calls are more powerful than emails CALL…

I am voting NO vote on Measure 105 in support of the health and safety of my community 105 is a divisive anti-immigrant measure that local law enforcement veterans say would keep them from effectively doing their job to ensure public safety. The measure would repeal the bipartisan sanctuary state law that we passed in 1987 forbidding the use of state resources to do the work of federal immigration authorities. In the years leading up to the passage of the 1987 law, racial profiling of Oregon residents was known to be commonplace throughout the state, resulting in a profound lack…

If you believe that all Oregonians should have equal access to the full range of reproductive health care, vote No on Measure 106. Measure 106 limits access to safe and affordable abortions. One of the arguments being used to justify this measure is economic, but even though limiting women’s access to affordable abortions will not save the insurance system money, it might easily push some vulnerable families into poverty. The measure is regressive and punitive in that those families with the fewest financial resources will be the most affected. Moreover, by placing limits on publicly-funded insurance, including plans offered by…