Oregon Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice is a statewide advocacy network that mobilizes Unitarian Universalists and their congregations to work for public policies in the state of Oregon that embody our UU principles of justice, equity, compassion in human relations and global stewardship. 

SAVE THE DATE!

11th Annual Meeting
Now split into 2 Zoom meetings

*Saturday, September 19, 2020
(Environmental Justice and Deepening Democracy)
&
* Saturday, October 10, 2020
(Human Rights and Economic Inequality)

10 AM to 12 Noon both days -
Attend for one day or both days

"Bridging the Economic Divide."

Hosted by: 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem (OR)
5090 Center St. NE, Salem, OR

Confirmed Speakers - Sept 19, 2020
Paul Cienfuegoes - Founding Director of Community Rights US; lecturer and teacher on the rights of nature and the rights of communities in a democracy. 
David Delk - board member of OR UU Voices for Justice
                             Topic:  Deepening democracy in Oregon 2020
Confirmed speakers for Oct. 10, 2020
Chuck Collins -  Program Director with the Institute for Policy Studies.  His projects include Program on Inequality and the Common Good
                 Topic:  Solutions to the economic divide.
Rena Lopez - Exec Director - PCUN - Farmworkers & Latinx Working Families United.  PCUN is based in the heart of the Oregon Latinx community, and in one of the most vibrant agricultural areas in the state. PCUN is Oregon’s Farmworker Union, fighting for low-wage workers, and Latinx families.

 Needed: New Board Members

Have a passion for social and environmental justice, human rights, and democracy?   
Have you thought of joining the Board of Oregon Voices for Justice?
Well, we are looking for new board members. 
Contact Board Chair: 
Kathleen McKinney.
(oregonuuvoices@yahoo.com) 

Bills from 2019 legislative session became law in 2020

View 2020 legislation on OR legislative site

Click above button; then click on Bills in right-hand corner, then click either House Bills or Senate Bills.  Hover over the Bill number to see brief summary.

2019 UUA GA Statement of Conscience

Questions for candidates

Unitarian Universalist for Social Justice (UUSJ) has provided us with a list of questions to ask candidates running for office and a guide to Getting Candidates on the Record . 
Our logo designer Jaimie Weeks-Seufert is featured third from the right in the front row. Thank you, Jaimie!
Make a contribution to Oregon UU Voices for Justice 

and don't forget to join Oregon UU Voices for Justice.  Click here.

FACEBOOK:

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Not sure who your elected officials are? Need information on a particular bill? Click the image to find them.

2019 legislative action

Oregon UU Voices for Justice has four campaign areas -- Deepening Democracy, Human Rights, Economic Inequality, and Environmental Justice.  At our annual conference in October 2017, we identified specific action items within each of these campaigns and people who are taking the lead on each. 

​Some of these campaigns will stay in touch throughout the year and organize via Zoom to continue the work started during the Annual Conference. If you have an interest in these campaigns please contact the lead.


Deepening Democracy - 
          Lead:  David Delk (davidafd@ymail.com)

  • Reforms to the Political Process: The group will meet again to focus the group on a specific issue. Under consideration:  allow limits on campaign contributions, amend the US Constitution to end corporate personhood and money equals speech, limits on campaign contributions/expenditures, public funding of candidates, ranked choice voting, gerrymandering, full voting rights for felons, full disclosure of political ad funders. 
  • ​Support for Public Banking: The Portland Public Banking Alliance is active on this issue and meets at the First Unitarian Church in Portland, focused principally on creating a public bank in Portland.  That effort has the support of David Delk, Michael Wade and Harriet Cooke, all members of the Economic Justice Action Group of 1st Unitarian of Portland.  

Economic Inequality - 
          Lead:

  • Issues of Housing - such as home/houselessness, affordable housing.  This campaign will work with the Oregon Housing Alliance and Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. Lead: John Elizalde (john_elizalde@hotmail.com)
  • Worker Justice -- Lead: 
  • Living Wages -- John Raymonda (raymonda@zianet.com
  • Borrower protections, HB2588 - require loan servicers collecting on private and federal loans to be licensed by the state.  Creates office of Oregon Student Loan Ombudsman.  Read informative article in Salem Reporter on this issue here.

Environmental Justice - 
    Lead:  Rev. Katherine Jesch 

  • Clean Energy Jobs Bill, HB2020 - This carbon cap and invest bill is designed to reduce carbon emissions in Oregon.
  • Jordon Cove LNG Export Terminal - Track and support any action identified to oppose the project. Work with tribal leaders. Leads: Jean Townes and Sue Craig (sueacraig@gmail.com).
  • Single use straws - HB2800 - prohibits certain restaurants from offering single use straws
  • Prohibit fracking - HB2623 - prohibits use of fracking for oil, gas exploration and production
  • Single use checkout bags - HB2509/HB2653 - Prohibits use of single use checkout bags except in certain cases.
  • Polystyrene Containers - HB2883 - prohibits food vendors from using polystyrene containers in many cases
  • Small Nuclear Reactors - SB444 - Bill changes present approval requirements from vote by all Oregon voters to vote by voter of cities/counties in which Small Nuclear Reactors are being proposed for use in

Human RIghts -
           Lead: 

  • Corrections:  HB2631 - establishes pilot program to provide legal services for women who are incarcerated at Coffee Creet Correctional Facility
  • Immigrant Rights:
  • Health care:
    • Health Care for All: SB770 has been introduced to create a universal affordable health care system for all in Oregon
    • Importation of drugs: SB409/HB2682 - creates program to allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada
    • Funding of Medicaid: HB2010 - provides funding for Oregon's Medicaid program