EJAG Suggested Actions
2022 Ballot Measures endorsed by
Economic Justice Action Group of the
First Unitarian Church, Portland
Vote YES!
Sorry, no recommendations for the Primary Election 2022.. Most ballot measures will be on the ballot in the 2022 General Election in November 2022. Please check back closer to that election.
2020 Ballot Measures endorsed by
Economic Justice Action Group of the
First Unitarian Church, Portland
Vote YES!
BM107 - Amend OR Constitution to allow limits on campaign contributions
Summary:
BM107 would amend the Oregon Constitution to allow laws to be enacted by the state of Oregon, as well as the cities and counties of the state to
- Limit on campaign contributions/expenditures
- Require that political ads disclose who paid for them
- Require the disclosure of political contributions and spending
This bill was referred to the ballot by a bipartisan vote of the Oregon legislature.
It is supported by Unite Oregon, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, OR UU Voices for Justice, APANO, Oregon Common Cause, Multnomah County Democracy, OR Progressive Party, OR Independent Party, Next Up, OEA, OSPIRG, Health Care for All Oregon and many more.
Alliance for Democracy voter pamphlet statement:
Alliance for Democracy, Oregon says Vote Yes on Measure 107.
Our mission is to create true democracy, to end corporate domination of politics, economics and media and to build a just & sustainable society for nature and all people.
For 22 years one of our goals has been to reduce the influence of Big Money in campaigns in order to take political power out of the hands of rich & powerful people and corporations; to return it to regular people, where it belongs.
Measure 107 amends the Oregon Constitution to allow laws that limit campaign contributions and expenditures, or require campaign ads to affirmatively name their largest donors.
Oregon is one of a handful of states that have no limitations on campaign contributions or expenditures.
Both the US and Oregon Constitution guarantee the right to free speech. Both constitutions have been interpreted to mean that “Money is Speech”, so limiting the amount of money in campaigns is an infringement on free speech. Corporations have used this argument to create their “right” to free speech allowing them to outspend real people to influence elections and elected officials.
The result is that most elected offices are beyond the reach of most people, preventing many people from even considering running for office. Corporations are given free-reign in Oregon’s political system, weakening our environmental & labor laws.
Read more about the devastating effect of corporate money in Oregon elections in The Oregonian’s award-winning series, Polluted by Money by Rob Davis.
We know that money is only property, not speech, and can be subject to limits enacted by the People or their legislative bodies. Limiting contributions or expenditures is not an infringement on free speech rights.
Voters deserve representatives who don’t feel beholden to Big Money, who feel free to act on behalf of their constituents. Voters also deserve to know who’s donating how much money to whom.
For more info:
- Alliance for Democracy: https://www.afd-pdx.org
- Honest Elections: https://www.honest-elections.com/
Preschool for all in Multnomah County (Measure 26-214)
|
26-214 - creates a universal Multnomah County wide program to provide pre-school of all 3 and 4 year olds in the county, funded by a progressive income tax on county high income earners
More info on the issue here. Pledge to Vote Yes here. Learn who supports the campaign here. Donate to the campaign here. |
Summary:
Vote Yes for Universal Preschool in Mulnomah County (Measure 26-214)
Universal preschool is one of the most profound ways a society can give its children a good start in life, and America is one of the only wealthy nations where this common-sense benefit is not guaranteed. 26-214 makes preschool available to all 3 and 4 year olds in Multnomah County at no cost to the families.
All children in Multnomah County should have preschool available to them. 26-214 provides a strong, truly universal program that will guarantee not only a universal preschool program but also a living wage for teachers, funded by a fair tax on the wealthiest people in the county
Measure 26.214 is supported by Bernie PDX, League of Women Voters, CWA, DSA, Oregon Progressive Party, Oregon Working Families Party, National Organization of Women/Portland, 350PDX, NW Oregon Labor Council, Portland Federation of Teachers and more.
More information available at https://upnow2020.org/faq
Alliance for Democracy voter pamphlet statement:
Alliance for Democracy, Portland says Vote Yes for Universal Preschool!
Vote Yes on Measure 26-214
Our mission is to create true democracy, to end corporate domination of politics, economics and media and to build a just & sustainable society for nature and all people.
We endorse the Preschool for All measure as a strong step along the path to a “just & sustainable society.”
The measure creates funding for universal preschool for all children living in Multnomah County. The funds would go to existing providers, thus creating stable funding for these businesses. These programs will be free to any family living in the county with children aged 3 & 4 years old, regardless of income.
The measure mandates a living wage, employment protections and a path to training and credentialing for the childcare workers.
The measure does not create a preschool program run by Multnomah County, nor mandate that children attend preschool. It does not prevent children from attending a preschool that their family chooses to pay for, instead of one funded via this measure.
Decades of research show that universal preschool creates stronger brains, good learning habits, good social skills, intellectual curiosity, achievement and personal confidence.
Our society preaches the value of a good education as a way out of poverty and into a life of accomplishment, but we make this as difficult & expensive as possible. We act as if we do not need well-educated, confident & happy people in our society. This measure helps make education affordable for everyone.Our society suffers from an egregious level of income inequality. People of color & women have long earned less money and had fewer workplace protections that most middle-to-upper class white men. This measure tackles this problem in the short-term by mandating a living wage & workplace protections for childcare workers, and in the long-term by making early childhood education available to all kids.
We believe that when a society supports its people, it is better.
Vote Yes on Measure 26-214
2018 OR Ballot Measure Recommendations
Oregon UU Voices for Justice and Economic Justice Action Group
Positions on OR statewide ballot measures
Voting: Nov 6, 2018
In November Oregonians will vote on five state ballot measures. OR UU Voices recommends one Yes vote and four No votes. Print these recommendations.
Positions on OR statewide ballot measures
Voting: Nov 6, 2018
In November Oregonians will vote on five state ballot measures. OR UU Voices recommends one Yes vote and four No votes. Print these recommendations.
Vote Yes! |
Would allow local governments to issue bonds to pay for affordable housing projects that involve nonprofits or other nongovernmental entities. This mix of private and public money is expected to expand funds for affordable housing and was submitted by the Legislature.
Oregon UU Voices for Justice and First Unitarian’s Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO) and Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) recommend Vote YES. |
Vote No! |
A constitutional amendment that would bar new taxes on groceries, including food and soda, as well as freeze the state’s corporate minimum tax for supermarkets. Submitted by grocers and soda producers after Multnomah Co interest in imposing local soda tax for health reasons.
Oregon UU Voices for Justice and First Unitarian’s Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) recommends Vote NO |
Vote No! |
A constitutional amendment that would require a three-fifths supermajority for legislation that raises revenue through changes in tax exemptions, credits and deductions and fees. Submitted to halt fees on financial and real estate transactions and changes to a more progressive tax system. Rep Alissa Keny-Guyer “this measure would hobble the ability of the state to raise money “
Oregon UU Voices for Justice and First Unitarian’s Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) Recommends Vote NO |
Vote No! |
Would overturn Oregon’s 1987 sanctuary law that prohibits state and local police from enforcing immigration law if a person’s only violation is being in the country illegally. Would increase threats to immigrants and their access to services, allow racial profiling and hamper farming operations. www.orunited.com
Oregon UU Voices for Justice and First Unitarian’s Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG), Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) and Reverend Bill Sinkford Support a NO Vote |
Vote No! |
A constitutional amendment that would ban public funds from being spent on abortions in Oregon, except when medically necessary or required by federal law. (Currently no federal funds may be used for abortion.) Would lead to more limits on women’s rights, including limiting access to state funded abortion for all state employees and those on the Oregon Health Plan.
Oregon UU Voices for Justice, First U’s Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) and Reverend Bill Sinkford support a NO Vote |
