For Immediate Release
Contact: Molly Woon
(503) 367-4327
press [at] dpo [dot] org
Democratic Party of Oregon release policy platform, 22 legislative priorities
April 17, 2018
PORTLAND — After months of work, hundreds of hours of input, and the largest platform convention in recent history, the Democratic Party of Oregon released their 2018 party platform and legislative priorities today.
"The DPO 2018 Platform is a critical component of shaping our Party's future. It is the foundation of who we are as a Party and articulates our vision for Oregon and our country," said Valdez Bravo, Vice Chair of the DPO and Chair of the platform convention. "Over 500 Democrats with diverse backgrounds and perspectives came together to create a Party platform that reflects the interests and addresses the needs of working- and middle-class people everywhere."
Oregon Democrats began the process of drafting the platform in October 2017. Multiple workgroups, each focused on one of eleven different Articles, or policy areas, met virtually and in person to construct what became the “planks” of each Article. These groups also proposed Legislative Action Items, also known as LAIs. The platform is crafted by the party every two years.
“Through grassroots advocacy and in-depth policy discussions, our LAIs represent where Oregon Democrats see the greatest need and urgency for action,” said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the DPO. “This list of 22 legislative items is a key tool in how we convey our highest priorities to our elected Democratic leaders.”
The 2018 Democratic Party of Oregon Priority Legislative Action Items call on lawmakers to create, adopt, or implement legislation. The top three items, as voted on by members of the platform convention are as follows:
- As health care is a human right, adopt an equitable, high-quality, comprehensive, universal, publicly-funded healthcare system including general, preventative, and emergency care, plus vision, dental, hearing, prescription drugs, long-term care, substance abuse, hospice care, and mental health services at the state or federal level.
- Swiftly enact the Clean Energy Jobs Bill and continue to reduce greenhouse gases based on full life cycle emissions to meet the Paris Climate Agreement, fund renewable energy, energy efficiency, promote carbon sequestration, and fund training and job creation, especially for the benefit of rural, low-income, and minority communities.
- Amend the U.S. and Oregon constitutions to clarify that the rights protected by the U.S. Constitution are the rights of natural persons only, and government shall regulate, limit or prohibit campaign contributions and expenditures to ensure that corporations and wealthy individuals do not dominate the political process.
The remaining LAIs can be found here.
"Delegates from all over the state debated ideas on how to make the lives of Oregonians better. The rigorous process was a positive experience that strengthened our statewide bonds. Oregon Democrats largely agree on the Platform released today, the defining document of who we are as a state political Party," said Bravo. "We are the big tent party — and the people inside are amazing."
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