Cover All Kids Legislation Passes Senate Committee, Heads to Ways and Means Committee

Contact: Rose King, 503.863.1363, rose@brinkcomm.com 

SB 558 ensures every child who calls Oregon home has equal access to health care

(Salem, Ore.)—The Senate Committee on Health Care today passed Senate Bill 558. The bill, known as “Cover All Kids” will extend health care coverage through the Oregon Health Plan to all Oregon kids, ensuring every child has the same opportunity to grow up healthy. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Boquist, Kruse and Roblan and by Representatives Alonso Leon, Huffman and Olson.  

Studies show that for children, having access to health care results in improved education outcomes and higher incomes later in life. The proposed Cover All Kids legislation will strengthen future economic opportunities for Oregon children by ensuring every kid has access to critical health coverage. Oregon will benefit from having a more skilled workforce and a stronger economy. The bill now moves to the Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. 

“I’m proud of this legislation and grateful to my colleagues for their support. Promoting children’s health is not only the right thing to do, it’s a valuable economic investment for our state,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Care. “Investing in the health of our kids now will deliver the skilled workforce we need to boost Oregon’s economy down the road.” 

Over the past decade, Oregon has made significant strides toward ensuring every child has access to quality, affordable health care. However, more than 17,000 kids are currently excluded from Oregon Health Plan because of their residency status. 
Oregon Governor Kate Brown is a strong proponent of the Cover All Kids legislation. Earlier this month, Governor Brown testified before the House Committee on Health Care in support of House Bill 2726  a companion bill introduced in the Oregon House.  

Both Senate Bill 558 and House Bill 2726 have bi-partisan support and are backed by the Oregon Latino Health Coalition which represents nearly a hundred organizations including community based organizations, CCOs, insurers, hospitals, educators, labor unions and community members. 

“Today, we are one step closer to a stronger and more equitable economy, where every child has the health care they need to reach their full potential. It’s time for Oregon to stand up for our core value of healthy children and ensure that all children are on the path to a stronger, healthier future,” said Linda Roman, Director of Health Policy & Government Relations for Oregon Latino Health Coalition.

Health insurance is a key factor in determining whether children receive the medical care they need. Studies show that uninsured children are much more likely than insured children to forgo necessary medical care due to costs, and much more likely to have unmet medical needs.

“Because my siblings and I lacked proper health insurance, we were denied the right to live a normal childhood. Fear and worry instead consumed my every day childhood,” said Fatima Preciado, an 18 year old Portland State University student who grew up without adequate health coverage. “My mother struggled severely when it came to purchasing my sister’s medication. There were times when my sister went weeks without medication, causing her to suffer severe uncontrollable epileptic seizures.” 

The bill now awaits its next hearing in the Ways and Means Committee. On Wednesday, the House Committee on Health Care is expected to hold a work session on House Bill 2726, the companion bill introduced in the Oregon House. 

Bipartisan bill to end profiling receives support from law enforcement, community groups, and Oregon’s Attorney General

Contact: Mike Westling, Brink Communications
(503) 498-8161, mike@brinkcomm.com

Proponents from across the state highlighted the need for Oregon to join 22 other states in requiring law enforcement departments to collect profiling data and provide training

Salem, Ore.— Members of Oregon’s law enforcement community joined community groups and legislative leaders Monday before the House Committee on Judiciary to support a bill to curb the practice of police profiling in Oregon.

House Bill 2355 will require law enforcement departments to begin collecting and retaining standardized demographic data on all officer-initiated pedestrian and traffic stops. The bill also requires mandatory training in cultural competency and implicit bias for all state and local law enforcement officers in Oregon and establishes a statewide system to hold law enforcement departments accountable for profiling practices.

The bill will also change state law to make small-scale possession of drugs a misdemeanor with access to treatment, instead of a felony, which carries steeper penalties that often result in the loss of housing, employment and social services, making it that much harder to beat addiction.

“While legislators banned police profiling in 2015, the truth is that it’s still happening in Oregon every day,” said Kayse Jama, executive director of Unite Oregon. “This is simply unacceptable. We need to the tools to adequately track the problem, the oversight to stop it when it occurs, and the training to prevent it from happening in the first place.”

In 2015, Oregon took an important step forward by joining more than 40 states to ban profiling. Despite this measure, profiling continues to occur and low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and LGBT people are targeted the most. 

Collecting better data in Oregon will institute a best practice already in place in law enforcement agencies around the country. According to the ACLU, 22 states, 4,000 cities—including over half of the 50 largest—and 6,000 police departments are now collecting stop and search data. In Oregon, the Oregon State Police and the Corvallis Police Department have begun to collect data on profiling, but there is currently no statewide requirement or system to do so.

“Put simply, The War on Drugs has failed,” said Amira Streeter, policy and advocacy director for the Urban League of Portland. “Our state’s current approach to drug enforcement has been ineffective and wasteful – the status quo has devastated our communities and had disproportionate impacts on of color and low-income Oregonians. It’s time to reform our drug policies to focus on what we know is effective: treatment, education and rehabilitation.”

More information about the legislative proposal to end profiling is available here: http://bit.ly/end_profiling

Oregon lawmakers hear from renters and community leaders in support of solutions to the state’s housing crisis

Contact: Mike Westling, Brink Communications
(503) 498-8161, mike@brinkcomm.com

HB 2004 will address Oregon’s housing crisis by providing stability and basic protection for tenants and lifting the statewide prohibition on rent stabilization
 
Salem, Ore. – Renters, housing advocates, and community leaders from across the state testified before the House Committee on Human Services and Housing Thursday morning in support of legislation that will address Oregon’s housing crisis. The hearing will continue with additional testimony Thursday evening at 5:00pm.
 
HB 2004 will help keep families in their homes by requiring statements of just-cause to ensure that evictions or lease terminations are only permitted when a landlord provides a valid reason. The bill will also repeal the statewide prohibition on modern rent stabilization policies, restoring local control to allow individual communities to design policies that meet their unique needs.

“Our stores’ neighbors are both our employees and our customers,” said Sarah Joannides, Director of Social Responsibility for New Seasons Market in support of ending no-cause evictions. “When our neighbors are removed from their homes and can’t afford to stay in their community, we feel the impact as a company, and as Oregonians.”

Rapidly rising housing costs across Oregon
 
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Oregon increased steadily in recent years from $807 in 2012 to $864 in 2015. Between 2015 to 2016, that figure jumped, from $864 to $1,008, marking a single-year rent increase of $144 or 16.7 percent.

In Portland, the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,208. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities — without paying more than 30% of income on housing — a household must earn $48,320 annually. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into an hourly Housing Wage of $23.23.

“Evictions with no reason and extreme rent increases cause immense financial hardship on working families that can force them to deplete their savings, force them into homelessness and send them into a spiral of poverty,” said Pam Phan, Policy and Organizing Director for the Community Alliance of Tenants. “Moreover, these practices disproportionately impact families of color, worsening inequities and pulling communities apart.”

As housing demand rapidly outpaces supply, no-cause evictions and triple-digit rent increases have become increasingly common for the 40 percent of Oregonians who rent, upending their lives and breaking their budgets.

Extremely low vacancy rates mean that families who have been evicted without cause or forced out by rent increases cannot find new units that they can afford, and many renters who have had stable housing are suddenly facing homelessness.
 
"No-cause eviction circumvents due process,” said Cody Standiford, co-chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition in Central Oregon. “Homelessness has been deemed to be a life-threatening condition. Placing people at risk of homelessness for no reason is akin to placing a person on death row without a trial. HB 2004 addresses the current lack of due process and will help to protect people from entering the potentially lethal condition of homelessness without reason and access to due process under the laws of our great state."  
 
More information about just-cause evictions and rent stabilization is available here: http://bit.ly/stablehomes

Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Bill HB 3087 Introduced in Legislature Backed by Diverse Coalition

Contact: Luann Algoso, luann@familyforward.org, 714-613-2647

SALEM, OR – Today, the legislature introduced the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act (HB 3087), a bill that is supported by the Time for Oregon coalition, a group of organizations ranging from community advocacy groups, labor organizations, public health organizations, senior groups, children’s groups and more that are working together to bring paid family and medical leave to ALL Oregonians. Whether it’s the birth of a child, the serious illness of a spouse, or the end-of-life for a parent – we all need time to care for our families. Caring for a family is important work, and shouldn’t mean losing wages or compromising our economic security.

HB 3087 would create a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program that ensures every working Oregonian will have paid time away from work to welcome a new child, to recover from a serious illness, or to care for a loved one who is recovering from a serious illness. This program would be managed by the Department of Consumer & Business Services. Employees and employers would each contribute up to 0.5% (half of one percent) of an employee’s wages through a regular payroll deduction. When an employee has a qualifying reason for leave they would receive partial wage replacement for their time away from work directly from the state insurance fund.

“Women still provide the majority of unpaid caregiving within the home, whether it is for a child or for an elderly parent,” says Andrea Paluso, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon. “Women are also the primary or co-breadwinner in more than two-thirds of families. Without universal policies like paid family leave, women continue to face real barriers to staying in the workforce and maintaining their earnings when family caregiving needs arise.

“I support a paid family and medical leave insurance program because I know it’s critical for the people who work for me and because it’s good for business,” says Kerry McClenahan, CEO of McClenahan Bruer. “Trying to provide family leave benefits without an insurance program to fund them is simply not an option for most small businesses. That’s why we need the state to lead the way – creating a program that ensures all families can manage the ups and downs that are inevitable during some points of their working lives. In addition, making paid family and medical leave more universally available is critical to ensuring that women are treated equitably at work. Until we ensure that everyone can take paid leave to welcome a new child or care for a family member, women will continue to experience wage and leadership gaps.”

“Creating a paid family and medical leave program will have have economy-wide benefits such as reduced government spending on public assistance and increased labor force participation, which will bring associated economic gains, generating a larger tax base and increased consumer spending. It’s the right thing to do for Oregon’s families, and now is the right time to do it.” says Rep. Jennifer Williamson who is sponsoring the bill.

Among others the bill is endorsed by: Oregon AFL-CIO, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, Children First for Oregon, Fair Shot for All Coalition, Family Forward Oregon, Forward Together, Oregon Education Association, Oregon Health Equity Alliance, Oregon Nurses Association, Partnership for a Hunger-Free Oregon, PCUN, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Unite Oregon and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW).

Governor Brown Testifies In Support of Legislation to Provide Health Coverage for Every Child in Oregon

Contact: Rose King, (503) 863-1363, rose@brinkcomm.com 

House Bill 2726 promotes children’s health, ensures all kids have equal access to health care as a basic human right

(Salem, Ore.)— Oregon Governor Kate Brown testified today before the House Committee on Health Care in support of the bill known as “Cover All Kids”, emphasizing her commitment to ensure all Oregon children have the same opportunity to grow up healthy. House Bill 2726 will extend healthcare coverage through the Oregon Health Plan to all Oregon kids. 

The bipartisan legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Alonso Leon, Gilliam, Hernandez, Huffman and Olson and by Senators Boquist, Monnes Anderson, and Roblan. 

"It is our duty to ensure that our youngest Oregonians have the tools to grow into healthy adults with access to education, health care, and a bright future," Governor Kate Brown said. "Oregon children should have the opportunity to be healthy and ready to learn, and Oregon families should feel confident that a medical event will not dramatically change the trajectory of their lives."

When children have access to health care through Medicaid, studies show they have improved education outcomes and higher incomes later in life. The proposed Cover All Kids legislation will promote the health of all Oregon children and put every child on the pathway to success.   

A broad coalition joined Governor Brown in support of the bill, including: Representative John Huffman; Former Representative Vic Gilliam; Dr. Resa Bradeen, Medical Director for Children’s Services at Oregon Region Providence Health System; Laura Etherton, State and Federal Policy Director for Oregon Primary Care Association; and Fatima Preciado, an 18 year old Portland State University student who is a DACA recipient and grew up without adequate health coverage. 

Over the past decade, Oregon has made significant strides toward ensuring every child has access to quality, affordable health care. However, more than 17,000 kids are currently excluded from Oregon Health Plan because of their residency status. 

“These kids represent the future of Oregon,” said Linda Roman, Director of Health Policy & Government Relations for Oregon Latino Health Coalition. “This policy will make sure that every child in every classroom across the state is covered. Now is the time for Oregon to stand up for our core value of healthy children and invest in all our kids.”

The Oregon Latino Health Coalition represents nearly a hundred organizations that have backed the effort to expand access to health care for all Oregon kids, including community based organizations, CCOs, insurers, hospitals, educators, labor unions and community members. 

“Because my siblings and I lacked proper health insurance, we were denied the right to live a normal childhood. Fear and worry instead consumed my every day childhood,” said Preciado. “My mother struggled severely when it came to purchasing my sister’s medication. There were times when my sister went weeks without medication, causing her to suffer severe uncontrollable epileptic seizures.” 

Growing up healthy is a challenge for Oregon children who lack health insurance, and health insurance is a key factor in determining whether children receive the medical care they need. Studies show that uninsured children are much more likely than insured children to forgo necessary medical care due to costs, and much more likely to have unmet medical needs. 

On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Health Care will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 558, a companion bill introduced in the Oregon Senate, 

Diverse Coalition Demands Reproductive Health Equity in Oregon

Contact: Jimmy Radosta, jimmy.radosta@PPAOregon.org

Under landmark legislation, Oregon would become the first state in the nation to ensure reproductive health equity.

A broad coalition of racial and gender justice, reproductive rights and community groups from across the state have joined forces to introduce the Reproductive Health Equity Act (House Bill 2232). The coalition consists of American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Family Forward Oregon, NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, Oregon Latino Health Coalition, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon and Western States Center.

Access to reproductive health care is critical for the health and economic security of all Oregonians, regardless of income, citizenship status, gender identity or type of insurance. Limitations on reproductive health services can have profoundly harmful effects on public health, particularly for those who already face significant barriers to receiving high-quality care. By ensuring that Oregonians have coverage for the full range of preventive reproductive health services at zero out-of-pocket cost and by filling gaps in reproductive health coverage for those categorically excluded from health programs due to citizenship status, the Reproductive Health Equity Act will remove financial barriers and ensure that every Oregonian is empowered to make decisions about whether and when to become a parent.

Zeenia Junkeer, Director of Equity and Community Engagement for NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, said: “Preventive services reduce healthcare costs and strengthen our communities and our economy. In order to have stronger health outcomes, Oregonians need quality medical care to prevent problems before they start.”

Laurel Swerdlow, Advocacy Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, said: “We don’t always know a person’s circumstances; we’re not in their shoes. That’s why all Oregonians should have access to the full range of reproductive health care, starting with preventive care and continuing through postpartum care. This basic right is the foundation of freedom and opportunity for Oregonians and their families.”

Linda Roman, Director of Health Policy and Government Relations for Oregon Latino Health Coalition, said: “All Oregonians – regardless of citizenship status – should have the freedom to decide if and when they have children based on what’s best for them and their family’s circumstances.”

Amy Casso, Gender Justice Program Director for Western States Center, said: “Immigrants are our neighbors. They work hard, pay taxes and put their children through school, yet many Oregonians are categorically denied health coverage due to their citizenship status. No one should have to go bankrupt or deep into debt because they don’t have affordable reproductive health care.”

Kara Carmosino, Director of Programs and Strategy for Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, said: “Transgender and gender-nonconforming Oregonians need access to services often categorized as ‘women’s health care,’ including gender-specific cancer screenings. Unfortunately, when coverage is dependent on one’s gender marker, procedural barriers can hinder access to this necessary and lifesaving care.”

Kimberly McCullough, Legislative Director for American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, said: “We believe every Oregonian should have access to the full range of reproductive health care, starting with preventive care and continuing through postpartum care. This basic right is a foundation of freedom and opportunity for individuals and their families.”

Andrea Paluso, Executive Director for Family Forward Oregon, said: “Working families are under so much strain today and often have a hard time making ends meet. Families in Oregon need support like paid time off from work to care for loved ones and access to affordable child care. It is also critical that they have access to affordable, essential reproductive health care, which this bill guarantees.”

Hundreds of Oregonians Call on State Leaders to Protect Human and Civil Rights, Advance Equity and Economic Opportunity For Every Oregonian

Contact: Rose King, 503-863-1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com

Racial justice, labor and community organizations unite around a bold 2017 legislative agenda to promote secure employment, accessible health care, affordable housing and safe communities

(Portland, Ore.) – With racist incidents on the rise in Oregon and throughout the country since Election Day, a broad coalition of racial, gender justice, labor and community groups from across the state gathered to unveil a bold legislative agenda to protect human and civil rights in Oregon. More than fifty organizations endorsed the agenda and vowed to protect every single Oregonian, including immigrants and refugees, women, people of color, LGBT communities and working families.

“Let me be clear: we’ve made hard-earned gains here in Oregon and we aren’t about to back down. We will never stop fighting to protect our families, our communities, our children and our state,” said Kathy Wai, Civic Engagement Manager for Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon.

The event was held at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church and comes just weeks after Governor Kate Brown’s pledge to protect the human and civil rights of all Oregonians.

The Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA) and Fair Shot unveiled a shared 2017 legislative agenda, aimed at ensuring every Oregonian has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of racial background, gender, language or where they are from.

“Our agenda is bold, tackling an intersection of issues that move us closer to justice and economic opportunity for all,” said Ramon Ramirez, President of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste. “Inequality is embedded in the public and private institutions that shape our lives. From employment to health, housing and safety, together we will tear down barriers that make it difficult for Oregonians to get ahead.”

The agenda creates a clear path to advance racial, gender and economic justice in Oregon and includes:

• Cover All Kids: Puts every child on a pathway to success by extending the Oregon Health Plan to all children in Oregon. 
• End Profiling: Builds on Oregon’s 2015 ban on police profiling by creating the structure to effectively identify, record and correct any profiling practices by Oregon law enforcement agencies.
• Secure Homes For All: Helps working families maintain housing stability and curb homelessness by protecting tenants from losing their homes through no fault of their own.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave: Ensures Oregonians can take time away from work—to welcome a new child, take care of a seriously ill family member, care for someone they love at the end of their life, or recover from a serious illness or injury—without losing the income their family relies on.
• Reproductive Health Equity: Prevents Oregonians from facing significant health and economic challenges by ensuring affordable access to the full range of reproductive health services for all.

“We’re standing strong to say that hate and discrimination have no place here, ” said Tom Chamberlain, President of Oregon AFL-CIO. “At the same time, we must build an Oregon where all families and working people have what we need to keep ourselves and our families safe and prosperous: access to critical health services, stable housing, and safe communities free from discrimination and violence. Our civil and economic rights need to be upheld every step of the way.”

Chamberlain noted that to truly create real opportunities for every Oregonian, the coalition must address long-standing inequalities that are deeply ingrained in our social and political institutions. Research shows that 1 in 7 Oregonians is living in poverty, with Oregonians of color twice as likely to live in poverty than their white counterparts. The average income of the typical white household was $51,972 in 2013, exceeding the incomes of the typical Latino, Pacific Islander, African-American and Native American households by about $13,000 or more. In addition, unemployment rate for black Oregonians in 2014 was 13.6 percent—twice the white rate of 6.8 percent—and the unemployment rates for Latinos was 9.6 percent.

Oregonians Applaud July 1st Minimum Wage Increase

Contact: Russell Sanders, (503) 232 – 1195 ext. 314, russell@oraflcio.org

Over 100,000 Oregonians will be impacted on Friday

(PORTLAND, OR) On Friday, July 1, over 100,000 Oregonians earning minimum wage will receive a raise.  Within Portland’s urban growth boundary and in urban counties, wages will increase from $9.25 per hour to $9.75.  In nonurban counties, the minimum wage will increase from $9.25 to $9.50.  From minimum wage earners to small business owners, Oregonians are applauding the first increase as a strong step forward for our state. 

Small business owner and Main Street Alliance member Shaun Sieren of the O'Neil Public House in Northeast Portland sees the increase as a way to give local economies a boost:

“The minimum wage increase on July 1t is a good thing, for my business, our customers, and the entire community,” said Sieren. “When folks who earn minimum wage get a raise, it helps everyone.  It puts more money in the pockets of working people, and that money gets spent at local businesses and on local goods and services. It’s simple: raising wages makes our local economy stronger.” 

For Kasil Kapriel, who earns minimum wage working at Portland International Airport, the increase on July 1t is a step forward, and a promise of hope for something more:

“The minimum wage increase will make a difference for me and my family,” said Kapriel.  “It is a great step, but only the first step.  There is more we can do to make sure working families have a shot at a better life.  I look forward to continuing to stand with my fellow airport workers, and people across our community in standing up for good jobs, with a living wage, and affordable care. We’ll continue to do whatever it takes for all working families to have a shot at a better life.” 

Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain explains how raising the minimum wage is just one part of a solution to a crisis facing working people in Oregon:

“In the past six years, the number of people moving to Oregon has increased by 10% while much of our state’s job growth is happening in the low wage sectors of the economy.  Combine that trend with housing costs skyrocketing and we have a problem,” said Chamberlain.  “Solving that problem requires a multifaceted approach, and raising wages is central to that approach.  We can’t expect Oregon to grow, to prosper, unless working people can afford the basics like housing, groceries, childcare, and transportation.  The raise on July 1 is the first step in the right direction for working people in Oregon.”

Business owners and workers who are interested in learning about their minimum wage region and the schedule of raises can visit Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries website to see information about the increase. Raising the minimum wage was part of the Fair Shot for All Coalition's 2015-16 Legislative Agenda. 

Invitation to Submit Proposals for the 2017-18 Fair Shot Legislative Agenda

The Fair Shot For All Coalition is a broad coalition of community, health service, and labor organizations from across Oregon that are pushing for real policy solutions that address economic inequality. We are working together to advance an agenda that creates opportunities for working families to thrive, and that resolves historic and systemic economic inequities for people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants and women. We envision an Oregon that provides equal access to economic opportunity for all and not just a privileged few. 

In the 2015-16 legislative sessions, we helped win big victories for Oregonians including raising the minimum wage, passing paid sick leave, ensuring that everyone has a secure path to save for retirement, reducing barriers to employment by banning the criminal background box from job applications, and banning profiling by law enforcement. 

We are now accepting proposals for the 2017-2018 Legislative Agenda. In order to be considered for placement on the 2017-18 Legislative Agenda, campaigns must meet the following criteria: 

• advance racial, gender, and economic justice and meet the values listed in our Guiding Principles document
• be an existing campaign with a credible path to success
• commitment to organizing around the Fair Shot message framework in the campaign and clear goals around building power for Fair Shot
• be willing to share, welcome and incorporate feedback, and intensively collaborate on a written campaign plan with the Executive Committee and in some cases other Steering Committee members, and continue to collaborate frequently throughout the campaign
• be the primary, short-term focus of the lead organization and/or have a significant portion of the organization’s resources dedicated to the campaign
• be led by a Steering Committee Member or an organization that is willing to join the Steering Committee and adopt the entire agenda. Campaigns must be led by an organization, not an individual or coalition. In order to join the Steering Committee an organization must be a permanent organization that is grounded in organizing; share our values listed in the Guiding Principles; and be committed to building our movement.

Campaigns selected for the 2017-18 Legislative Agenda are eligible to receive resources from the coalition including professional communication and strategic consulting services and financial contributions. Just as important, campaigns will be made an organizing and lobbying priority for Fair Shot members.  

How to Submit Proposals:

Written proposals are due June 27th. Please send proposals to Coalition Director, Heather Stuart at Heather@FairShotOregon.org. Selected proposals will be presented to the Steering Committee on July 12th and 13th and voted on by the Steering Committee later in July.  

Written proposals should be no more than three pages and include the following information: 

• sponsor/lead organizations;
• other coalition members and/or endorsing organizations;
• short description of the policy and how it fits into the economic justice and Fair Shot framework;
• description of impacted populations and the extent of the impact;
• estimated state budget impact; 
• summarized history of the campaign, champions, opponents, obstacles, opportunities, and best guess of what it will take to win; 
• anticipated and/or existing campaign roles and needs (i.e. campaign manager, communications, lobbyist, etc); and
• the support you’d like from the Fair Shot coalition. 

Oregon Passes Legislation, Next Step in Effort to Prevent Profiling by Law Enforcement

Contact: Heather Stuart, 360-521-6255, heather@fairshotoregon.org

Passed by the Senate today, HB 4003 helps make neighborhoods safer and communities stronger

(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon Senate today passed House Bill 4003, by a vote of 27 to 0. The legislation—co-sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland, Representative Jennifer Williamson of Portland and Representative Joe Gallegos of Hillsboro—extends the “Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement,” which was established by the legislature in 2015 to help build a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies. HB 4003 now heads to Governor Kate Brown, who is expected to sign the bill.

“I’m proud that the legislature passed this bill, taking the next steps to stop the harmful practice of profiling,” said Speaker Kotek. “We made significant progress in 2015, but in order to strengthen public trust in local law enforcement, we need to keep working and get the details right.”

 In 2015, Oregon joined more than 40 states in defining and banning the harmful practice of police profiling. The 2015 bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling. 

Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and work group members held several listening sessions around the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, the work group released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement. Attorney General Rosenblum and Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member, presented key findings to the Oregon House Judiciary Committee last month during a hearing on the bill. 

“I thank the Oregon Legislature for their commitment to this issue and look forward to continuing the work to ensure that everyone is treated fairly by law enforcement. I’m hopeful that together, we can restore partnership and trust in our community, heal families and individuals, and make Oregon a leader in giving all members of our community equity and justice,” said Jama. “This bill gets us further down the path to fair policing.”

HB 4003 directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016.

The legislation is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All—a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon—prioritized for the February session. It’s also a top priority for the Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), which has been leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon.

Fair Shot for All statement on House vote to increase minimum wage

Contact:

Heather Stuart, Heather@FairShotOregon.org

Salem, Ore. – Following today’s vote to approve an increase in Oregon’s minimum wage by the Oregon House of Representatives, Andrea Paluso issued the following statement on behalf of the Fair Shot for All coalition:

“In 2014, more than 20 community, healthcare, service and labor groups from across the state came together to launch the Fair Shot for All coalition. We launched Fair Shot for All to give a voice to those who have been left behind in the political process, to turn the discussion of racial and economic inequality into action – and to win. Raising the minimum wage was the only Fair Shot agenda item that didn’t pass in 2015, but we came into this session committed to securing a raise in 2016. While our work to fix Oregon’s broken economy is far from over, today’s vote by the House marks a significant victory for the hardworking men and women we have been fighting for.”

Fair Shot For All Statement on Wage Theft Legislation

As strong advocates to stop wage theft, the Fair Shot For All Coalition started this legislative session with a short agenda that included a bill intended to make it more difficult for companies to get away with cheating workers out of pay, Senate Bill 1587.  However, a key provision of the bill was removed that would have allowed workers to  reclaim their stolen wages and sue for damages through private legal action when the employer repeatedly refuses to comply with the statute and other means to seek justice fail. 

While Senate Bill 1587 is a first step toward protecting workers from wage theft, the reality is that it’s going to take more to fix what’s broken with our system. The barriers for workers to reclaim their stolen wages remain despite this bill.  

The Fair Shot For All Coalition is neutral on SB 1587 but remains committed to this issue. We will come back with legislation in 2017 that prevents workers from being robbed of their hard earned pay and holds intentional and excessive violators accountable for shortchanging workers. We are putting dishonest employers on notice: we won’t stop fighting until workers can be sure they will be paid what they’re owed.

Oregon House Passes Bill Advancing Efforts to End Profiling, Legislation Heads to Senate

Contact: Rose King, rose@brinkcomm.com, 503.863.1363

HB 4003 builds on the work to prevent profiling by law enforcement, next step in fight to change culture of policing
 
(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon House today passed House Bill 4003, sending the bill to the Oregon Senate for approval. The legislation—co-sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland, Representative Jennifer Williamson of Portland and Representative Joe Gallegos of Hillsboro—extends the “Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement,” which was established by the legislature in 2015 to help build a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies. The bill passed the House unanimously.
 
“The approach is an example of what works and what we need to encourage. In 2015 we passed HB 2002, which defined profiling in the state and called for the work group to study the issues surrounding profiling and provide recommendations to the chamber by December 1st...I would encourage you to allow this group to continue to work and to come back with some good information for us so that we can in fact do something to make sure all people who live in the state of Oregon are treated fairly,” Representative Lew Frederick said Friday on the House floor.
 
Eighty-five percent of Oregonians believe that law enforcement should not be allowed to profile. Yet every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity. In a national 2014 survey, 73 percent of all LGBT people and people living with HIV reported having face-to-face contact with police during the past five years. African Americans are five times more likely to be pulled over in a vehicle, even though Caucasians are three times more likely to have contraband.
 
In 2015, Oregon joined more than 40 states in defining and banning the harmful practice of police profiling. The 2015 bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling. 
 
“As a work group member, I listened to communities share their experiences with profiling,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member. “Profiling inevitably breeds distrust in law enforcement, which in turn undermines the safety of all Oregonians. Change isn’t going to happen overnight. I commend the house supporting the next steps in this incredibly important work.”
 
Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Rosenblum and work group members held several listening sessions around the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, the work group released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.
 
HB 4003 directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016.
 
The bill now awaits further consideration in the Senate.

Bill Advancing Efforts to End Profiling Passes House Judiciary Committee, Heads to House Floor

Contact: Rose King, 503-863-¬1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com  

House Bill 4003 builds on Oregon’s commitment to prevent profiling by law enforcement, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger

(Salem, Ore.)—The House Judiciary Committee today passed House Bill 4003 by a unanimous vote. The proposed legislation—co-sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland, Representative Jennifer Williamson of Portland and Representative Joe Gallegos of Hillsboro—extends the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue crafting a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies. It is now headed to the House floor.   

“Our goal is to strengthen public trust in law enforcement,” Speaker Kotek said. “I’m proud that the legislature is on its way to pass this bill and take the next steps to stop the harmful practice of profiling.”
 
In 2015, Oregon joined more than 40 states in defining and banning the harmful practice of police profiling. That bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling. 

Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Rosenblum and work group members held several listening sessions around the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, the work group released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.

“Oregon made strong progress last session by passing a law that bans profiling in Oregon, however, our work remains unfinished,” said Attorney General Rosenblum today. “Better data and increased transparency are needed to ensure that everyone is treated fairly by law enforcement.”  
HB 4003 directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016. 

The bill is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All—a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon—has prioritized for the upcoming session. It’s also a top priority for the Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), which has been leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon.

“Profiling occurs in every part of our state, but we know that people in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates for these communities,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member. “Even after passing HB 2002 last year, we don’t have a coordinated law enforcement system to address it. There’s much more to do to make sure all our communities are safe and free from profiling.” 

Eighty-five percent of Oregonians believe that law enforcement should not be allowed to profile. Yet every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity. In a national 2014 survey, 73 percent of all LGBT people and people living with HIV reported having face-to-face contact with police during the past five years. African Americans are five times more likely to be pulled over in a vehicle, even though Caucasians are three times more likely to have contraband. 

Text of the bill is available online:
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB4003/Introduced

Bill Advancing Efforts to End Profiling Introduced in Oregon House, Next Step in Fight to Change Culture of Policing

Contact: Rose King, 503-863-­1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com  

House Bill 4003 builds on the work to prevent profiling by law enforcement, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger

(Salem, Ore.) – Today, legislation was introduced that builds on Oregon’s commitment to end profiling and change the culture of policing in our state. 

HB 4003, sponsored by Speaker Tina Kotek (D – N/NE Portland), extends the “Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement,” which was also established by the legislature in 2015 in order to craft a system to identify, record, and correct profiling by Oregon law enforcement agencies.

“I’m proud to sponsor HB 4003, continuing the effort to end profiling in Oregon,” said Speaker Kotek. “We made significant progress in 2015, but in order to strengthen public trust in local law enforcement, we need to keep working and get the details right.”
 
In 2015, Oregon took an important step forward by joining more than 40 states to define and ban the harmful practice of police profiling. The bill, HB 2002, established a system for reporting complaints; created a plan for collecting and sharing data; required local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting profiling; and created the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement, tasked with developing a process for identifying and correcting patterns and practices of profiling.
 
Following the passage of HB 2002, Attorney General Rosenblum and work group members held listening sessions across the state. Residents came forward to share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they experienced as a result of profiling happening in their communities. Together, they released a report outlining recommendations to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.
  
HB 4003, which will be considered in the legislative session that begins on February 1, directs the Attorney General and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement to continue meeting, and to issue a report with recommendations for legislation by December 1, 2016.

“I was profiled by police several years ago as I stood just steps away from my own front door, and this experience was both traumatizing and life changing,” said Quinton Blanton,  a 25 year old who lives in Portland. “Every time I see a police car, my heart begins to race. My anxiety got so bad, I had to leave school.” 

HB 4003 is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All—a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon—has prioritized for the upcoming session. It’s also a top priority for the Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), which has been leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon.

“Profiling occurs in every part of our state, but we know that people in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates for these communities,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of CIO and Fair Shot For All coalition member. “Law enforcement is at its best when officers work together with communities to ensure public safety and promote the dignity of all people. We remain committed to lead the fight forward.”

Eighty-five percent of Oregonians believe that law enforcement should not be allowed to profile. Yet every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity. In a national 2014 survey, 73 percent of all LGBT people and people living with HIV reported having face-to-face contact with police during the past five years. African Americans are five times more likely to be pulled over in a vehicle, even though Caucasians are three times more likely to have contraband.

Text of the bill is available online:
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB4003/Introduced

Bill to Stop Wage Theft Introduced in the Senate, Marking Another Important Proposal for Oregon’s Working Families

Contact: Rose King, 503-863-1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com  

Senate Bill 1587 aims to stop dishonest employers, help collect back wages for workers cheated out of pay

(Salem, Ore.) – Today, legislation that would make it more difficult for companies to get away with cheating workers out of their pay was among the first bills to be introduced in the 2016 Oregon Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1587—sponsored by Senator Michael Dembrow—now awaits a hearing.  The bill is one of three issues that Fair Shot For All, a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon, has prioritized for the upcoming session. The others include ending profiling and raising the minimum wage.

“The challenges working Oregonians face in caring for and supporting their families are magnified when they can’t even rely on the wages they’ve rightfully and fairly earned,” said Senator Dembrow. “Wage theft hurts Oregonian families, and it hurts our economy,” 

“For decades, workers have seen their wages unfairly withheld by some unethical employers, and they have had little legal recourse,” said Senator Ginny Burdick “This legislation works to change that, sending a strong message to intentional and excessive violators that they will be held accountable for shortchanging workers.”

Oregon law doesn’t always protect the workers who experience wage theft, which occurs when employers do any of the following: pay less than minimum wage; do not pay overtime; deny meal and break periods; pay for fewer hours than an employee has worked; or simply don’t pay at all. 

“Unfortunately, I know all too well what it means to be cheated,” said Darrin Boyce, a sheet metal worker from Portland who has been a victim of wage theft more than once in his career. “It’s happened to me and it’s happened to my friends. We have families to support. When my employer doesn’t pay me for all my time, we are left struggling to get by.”

For a worker earning minimum wage, being denied just half an hour’s worth of wages each day adds up to a loss of more than $1,400 a year. For families struggling to get by, that can be the difference between paying rent on time and facing eviction.

“It’s time to stop workplace abuses that leave Oregonians and their families shortchanged and struggling to make ends meet,” said Tom Chamberlain, President of Oregon AFL-CIO and member of Fair Chance For All. “When Oregonians don’t receive the wages that they’ve rightfully earned, those devastating effects ripple not only throughout workers’ families, but throughout our communities.” 

Wage theft happens to workers in all industries. From retail, restaurants, and grocery stores, to domestic work, construction and personal services—Oregon workers report an average of $4.7 million every year in stolen wages. Many more don’t report violations out of fear of retaliation. Women, people of color, immigrants, and low-wage workers are more vulnerable to wage theft.  

Even when workers go through the difficult process of winning a wage theft claim, many can’t recover the money they are owed. Between 2010-2013, BOLI ruled on 3,303 claims of stolen wages totaling $6.2 million. However, of those claims, employers only paid 28 percent of stolen wages back to workers.

Senate Bill 1587 will: 

• Give workers additional tools to expose employer wrongdoing,
• Reduce the barriers that prevent workers from getting help and recovering the wages they are owed, and
• Help build a foundation for comprehensive wage theft reform in 2017

Text of the bill is available online:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB1587/Introduced

Workers, Community and Labor Advocates Call For End to Wage Theft at Legislative Hearing

Contact: Rose King, 503-863-­1363, Rose@brinkcomm.com  

Proposed legislation aims to stop dishonest employers, help collect back wages for workers cheated out of pay

(Salem, Ore.)—The Senate Committee on Workforce today held a public hearing on proposed legislation that would make it more difficult for companies to get away with cheating workers. The bill is backed by Fair Shot For All, a coalition of more than 30 community groups, labor unions and racial justice organizations in Oregon.

“Wage theft happens every day in Oregon. Stealing hard-earned wages is a crime that hurts workers and their families along with all the responsible business owners who can’t compete with violators who don’t pay workers,” said D. Michael Dale of the Northwest Workers’ Justice Project. 

A broad group participated in the hearing to call on the legislature to take action this session, including: Gerhard Taeubel and Paloma Spark, Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI); Chris Hewitt, Oregon Nurses Association; D. Michael Dale, Northwest Workers’ Justice Project; and Darrin Boyce, an impacted worker. 

Wage theft occurs when employers do any of the following:

• Pay less than minimum wage;
• Do not pay overtime;
• Deny meal and break periods, or
• Pay for fewer hours than an employee has worked,  or simply don’t pay at all.

“I know all too well what it means to be cheated,” said Darrin Boyce, a sheet metal worker from Portland who has been a victim of wage theft more than once in his career. “I have a family to support. When my employer doesn’t pay me for all my time, I’m left struggling to get by. Not knowing how much I’m going to get paid also makes it tough each month to know if I can cover my family’s expenses or not.”

Wage theft happens frequently in Oregon and it impacts workers across numerous industries, including retail, restaurants, grocery stores, domestic work, blue-collar industries, construction and personal services. A worker earning minimum wage who is denied just half an hour’s worth of wages a day adds up to more than $1,400 a year. For families struggling to get by, that can be the difference between paying rent on time and facing eviction.

Workers report an average of $4.7 million in stolen wages every year and many incidences aren’t reported at all, making the actual sum much higher. Even when workers go through the difficult process of winning a wage theft claim, many can’t  recover the money they are owed. Between 2010-2013, BOLI ruled on 3,303 claims of stolen wages totaling $6.2 million. However, of those claims, employers only paid 28% of stolen wages back to workers.

“We urge the legislature to make the promise of Oregon’s labor laws real,” said  Dale “It’s time to protect our workers who are cheated the most—women, people of color and low-wage workers. This will in turn have ripple effects throughout Oregon’s local economies.”

The proposed legislation will:

• Give workers additional tools to expose employer wrongdoing
• Reduce the barriers that prevent workers from getting help and recovering the wages they are owed, and
• Help build a foundation for comprehensive wage theft reform in 2017

United Nations Group meets with Oregon coalition on policies aimed at women and working families

Contact: Heather Stuart, Heather@FairShotOregon.org 

Fair Shot For All highlights big wins from labor unions, community groups, and racial justice organizations that address economic equality issues, combat racial and gender discrimination

PORTLAND, OR - Tuesday evening, Fair Shot For All held a meeting with the United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice (UNWGDAW) as part of the group’s visit to the United States for an official fact-finding tour.The meeting was facilitated with the coordination of the US Human Rights Network (USHRN), a national network of organizations and individuals working to strengthen a human rights movement and culture within the United States led by the people most directly impacted by human rights violations. The Working Group is made up of five independent human rights experts charged by the UN Human Rights Council to help countries improve women’s human rights around the world.

 “Oregon stands out as a place where social justice advocates are effectively partnering to take big, real steps to remove barriers to economic security for all Oregonians. We won campaigns to bring sick days to families across our state so they can see a doctor or recover when sick without losing needed pay or risking their job; "ban the box" on employment applications so people with previous arrests and convictions can get back to work to provide for their families, and created a state system that ensures every Oregonian has a secure and accessible path to save for retirement,“ said Andrea Paluso, spokesperson for the Fair Shot Coalition and Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon. “While we are very proud of these accomplishments, we know there is still so much left to do, like raise the minimum wage in our state. The average minimum wage worker is a 35 year old woman caring for family members, and too often her hard work isn’t enough to make ends meet because of high housing costs, low wages and benefits, and employer abuses such as unpaid overtime. The Fair Shot for All coalition will continue to fight for a higher minimum wage and other advances for women.”

The working group has visited several states to learn more about issues of discrimination against women. During their trip to Oregon, the group will document good practices and examine progressive laws in the areas of economic life and health. At the conclusion of their visit, the group will hold a press conference—on Friday, December 11, at 1pm at the United Nations Information Center, Washington, DC,—where they will deliver preliminary findings and recommendations. Their findings will later be presented to the UN Human Rights Council.

“We’re honored to have our work in Oregon recognized by the UN,” said Paluso. “The Fair Shot for All coalition is doing such important work by bringing together diverse Oregonians to work for equity for women, men of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ communities, and others who are too often left behind.”

Fair Shot Coalition Statement on Report Released by Attorney General’s Work Group on Profiling

Contact: Rose King, (503) 863-1363, rose@brinkcomm.com

Salem, Ore. – Today, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and the Work Group on the Prevention of Profiling by Law Enforcement released a report outlining recommendations for the Oregon Legislature to prevent and respond appropriately to profiling by law enforcement.

As strong advocates leading the fight to end profiling in Oregon, the Fair Shot For All Coalition issued the following statement from coalition member Kayse Jama, Executive Director of the Center for Intercultural Organizing:

Profiling by law enforcement continues to be a serious problem that affects Oregonians in communities across the state. Every day, people are targeted based on their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender identity. 

We took an important first step in the 2015 Legislative Session by passing a law that bans profiling in Oregon. However, simply making something illegal does not mean it does not still occur—and our work is far from over. More must be done to ensure our criminal justice system can effectively identify, record, and correct any profiling practices by Oregon law enforcement agencies. Without making these critical changes, we fall short of our goal to stop this harmful practice. 

This fall, the Attorney General and Work Group members listened to community members share the emotional, psychological, physical and financial trauma they’ve experienced as a result of profiling happening right here in Oregon. They heard firsthand how this practice doesn’t make our neighborhoods safer—it disrupts lives and creates ripple effects that harm families and communities. 

People in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are targeted the most by profiling practices, leading to higher arrest and conviction rates for these communities. Many are already struggling financially and risk harsher penalties and extra fees when they can’t afford to pay the fines that result from unfair profiling—putting their jobs on the line and their families at risk. 

Law enforcement is at its best when officers work together with communities to ensure public safety and promote the dignity of all people. The recommendations rolled out by the Work Group today are another step in the right direction towards changing the culture of policing in our state, making neighborhoods safer and communities stronger. We thank the Attorney General and Work Group members for their commitment to this issue and willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with communities across the state.

Fair Shot For All Coalition will continue to work with legislators, local communities and law enforcement organizations to ensure that everyone is treated fairly by law enforcement. We are committed to lead the fight to end profiling in Oregon and we look forward to the Attorney General’s support in moving the Work Group recommendations to action.