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. 

What has OR UU Voices for Justice been up to?

2021

8/11/21 - ORUU Voices for Justice signs letter to Oregon Energy Trust advocating policy changes to encourage switching from Natural Gas appliances to electric appliances

8/11/21 - ORUU Voices for Justice signs letter to Oregon Energy Trust

OR UU Voices for Justice signed onto a letter addressed to the Oregon Energy Trust calling on them to adjust their policies to encourage switching from the use of fossil fuel based "natural" gas to electric appliances in Oregon   Read the letter here. 

Copies of this letter were to be sent to the OR Public Utilities Commissioners.

From the letter, "Members of the undersigned organizations stand together to urge Energy Trust of Oregon to change their policy regarding fuel switching in order to promote climate-smart and equitable electrification in the State. "
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.

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 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: 
Chris Vogel.
(uuvoices4justiceoregonlegnet@gmail.com) 

2020 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.   We have maintained those four campaigns since then.

​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
  • Reforms to the Political Process: The group will meet again to focus the group on a specific issue. Under consideration:  establish limits on campaign contributions now that Oregon voters approved BM107 amending state constitution to allow such limits, 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 Oregon Public Bank Alliance is active on this issue and meets via Zoom provided by 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.  
    • Suggested Action:  Click on this link: The Oregon Public Bank Alliance, and sign the petition indicating your support for public banking in Oregon.

Economic Inequality - 
          Lead: Josie Koehne
  • 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.co

Environmental Justice - 
    Lead:  Claudia Keith
  • 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: Kathleen McKinney
  • Corrections:  HB2631 - establishes pilot program to provide legal services for women who are incarcerated at Coffee Creek 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..  2020:  This bill was enacted and the Committee has started to meet.
    • 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