Legislature approves ‘End Profiling’ legislation, sends bill to Governor Brown for signature

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

HB 2002 brings together law enforcement and communities around data collection, improved reporting, increased accountability

 Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Senate approved legislation Wednesday to ban the practice of profiling as a law enforcement tactic with a vote of 28 to 1. HB 2002 will now head to Governor Kate Brown’s desk for her signature.

HB 2002 has received bipartisan support in both chambers of the Oregon legislature and has the backing of the Center for Intercultural Organizing, the NAACP, Basic Rights Oregon, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, and the Oregon Sheriff’s Association.

“Profiling corrodes the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said House Speaker Tina Kotek. “To eliminate profiling, we need to face it head on, recognize it and provide the means to report and address the problem when it occurs.”

 “We need this law to protect the credibility of the policing function, because it is vital to our functioning civic life,” according to Chief Sponsor Representative Lew Frederick. “When people avoid calling the police because they fear them, the breakdown of civic order is almost as scary as the gun I faced during a nonsensical traffic stop. Imagine your reaction if you were pulled over in your car, or stopped while walking, for no discernible reason. Then imagine that it happens again and again. If you can imagine that, you’ve imagined a piece of our world. Profiling degrades the quality of our everyday lives. It needs to be illegal. It needs to stop.”

Currently in Oregon, each law enforcement agency is left to decide their own definition and process on profiling. Profiling occurs in every part of the state and impacts many different communities, and until now there has been no coordinated state policy to address it.

“The bottom line: profiling doesn’t make our communities safer,” said Senator Alan Bates. “By defining, tracking, and addressing profiling when it occurs, we can protect the freedoms of Oregonians while supporting our law enforcement community.”

HB 2002 defines profiling and clearly bans law enforcement from using profiling as a tactic in Oregon. The bill also requires law enforcement agencies to collect complaint data about profiling and establishes a process for accepting and addressing profiling complaints.

“Profiling occurs daily in many forms across Oregon, making those who are targeted by police often feel like prisoners in their own communities,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of the Center for Intercultural Organizing. “By defining profiling and establishing a consistent process for recording complaints, we can help build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This legislation is an important step toward ending a systemic problem, but it does not mean our work is done. Actual change has to be felt on the ground."

"To believe that there is no profiling within our state is to ignore the daily struggles that our minority communities go through because of profiling,” said Ricardo Lujan, Board Member for Oregon Action. “I encourage everyone to challenge themselves and become more aware of this issue and how it affects our neighbors. It is important for Oregon to make a change so that our neighbors, friends and families can feel safer."

In addition, the bill would also create the Law Enforcement Profiling Work Group, a new entity tasked with proposing a process to identify patterns or practices of profiling, identifying methods to address and correct these practices and biased policies, and preparing a report identifying any additional statutory changes that are needed to achieve these goals.

“Profiling has no place in professional policing – it is discriminatory and ineffective,” said Kevin Campbell, Executive Director of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police. “Law enforcement leaders here in Oregon continue to work to ensure that we have the most professional and just policing culture in the nation, to take reports of profiling seriously and to take action to make our communities safer. We’re supporting HB 2002 because we recognize that strong partnerships, better data, and additional options for citizens to file concerns and complaints all help law enforcement officers do their jobs.”

If you would like to interview Kayse Jama, Ricardo Lujan, or Kevin Campbell, please contact Mike Westling at mike@brinkcomm.com or (503) 498-8161 to coordinate.

Portland Rally in Support of Raising the Minimum Wage

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

Fair Shot For All Coalition and the Western Region Summer Institute for Union Women Gather to Hear Speakers Call for Raising the Wage

Portland, Ore. – Members of the Fair Shot Coalition and the Western Region Summer Institute for Union Women will gather in Portland to hold a minimum wage rally Friday at 3:00pm in solidarity with workers who are fighting for a fair shot.

Thousands of hardworking Oregonians making minimum wage – women, people of color,immigrants and families – simply don’t earn enough to make ends meet. When people can’t afford to buy food, go to the doctor or make basic repairs, it drags our economy down.

Currently, one in four Oregon workers brings home less than $25,000 each year. Women and people of color make up the largest percentage of our low-wage workforce. In Oregon, women represent more than half of minimum wage workers while people of color make up about 36 percent.

WHAT:               

The Fair Shot For All coalition and the Western Region Summer Institute for Union Women will hold a rally in solidarity with workers who are fighting for a fair shot.

WHEN:

Friday, June 26

3 p.m.

WHERE:                 

Reed College Great Lawn

3203 SE Woodstock Blvd.

Portland, OR 97202

WHO:

Speaking in support of raising the minimum wage include: 

·  Barbara Byrd, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

·  Ed Hall, Labor Liaison, Office of Jeff Merkley

Legislation to end profiling in Oregon clears key legislative hurdle, heads to House floor for approval

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

HB 2002 receives bipartisan support from Joint Ways and Means Committee

Salem, Ore. – Legislation to ban the practice of profiling as a law enforcement tactic received bipartisan approval Tuesday from the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee. HB 2002 also requires law enforcement agencies to collect complaint data about profiling and establishes a process for accepting and addressing profiling complaints. The legislation will next move to the Oregon House and the Oregon Senate for passage before heading to the desk of Governor Kate Brown for her signature.

“Profiling doesn’t come from a training manual – it’s a cultural problem,” said Senator Chris Edwards. “By collecting data and establishing the authority to track and investigate complaints, HB 2002 will help eliminate this tactic from our communities.”

HB 2002 will also create the Law Enforcement Profiling Work Group, a new entity tasked with proposing a process to identify patterns or practices of profiling, identifying methods to address and correct these practices and biased policies, and preparing a report identifying any additional statutory changes that are needed to achieve these goals.

“Profiling in policing isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a practice that actively weakens public safety efforts and has real, damaging effects on our communities,”said Rep. Brad Witt. “Law enforcement, community groups, and folks from across the state are supporting this bill because it provides tangible ways that we address this challenge together. “

"The issue is complex but this bill is need to help move things forward in the right direction,” said Senator Chuck Thomsen.

To be effective, law enforcement officials must have the full confidence of the communities they serve. The Oregon Association Chiefs of Police and the Oregon Sheriffs Association have been actively engaged in the creation of policy to end profiling in policing. Both organizations were at the table helping to craft the final proposal and have endorsed HB 2002.

“The problem of profiling isn’t limited to places like Portland,” said Jeana Frazzini, Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon. “Around the state, members of the LGBTQ community, especially people of color and transgender individuals, are targeted by law enforcement because of who they are. This legislation will help make Oregon a safer and more just place to live by establishing procedures for accepting complaints and holding law enforcement accountable.”

HB 2002 will help Oregon shift away from profiling-based policing tactics to community policing, a more effective public safety strategy that fosters trust between law enforcement officers and communities by building partnerships and addressing the conditions that generate public safety issues.

“This effort is an opportunity to build trust and create partnerships between law enforcement and members of the community,” said Lane County NAACP President Eric Richardson. “By working together to change the culture of policing in Oregon, we can make our neighborhoods safer and strengthen our communities.”

Working Oregonians call on legislators to raise the wage and restore local control

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

Oregonians delivered over 3,800 postcards to legislators, urging immediate action to raise the minimum wage

Salem, Ore. – A group of over 50 workers, small business owners, and advocates from across the state assembled in Salem today to push elected officials to take action and raise the wage in Oregon.

The group gathered outside the capitol and held one-on-one meetings with their legislators, calling for action to raise the minimum wage and restore local control to allow communities to set wages above and beyond the statewide floor.

During the legislative meetings, the group delivered over 3,800 postcards from Oregonians who support raising the state’s minimum wage and asked their elected leaders to take action before the current session comes to an end.

Photos from the minimum wage lobby day are available online: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sa041qp8iejwdvu/AADtobvThOHysSnVbQKc8nEKa?dl=0

Earlier in the day, the House Committee on Business and Labor and the Senate Committee on Workforce held a joint informational meeting to consider policy strategies to address poverty in Oregon. During the hearing, SEIU Local 503 Executive Director Heather Conroy and Causa Executive Director Andrea Miller testified in support of one of the most effective means of addressing poverty: raising the minimum wage.

“Raising the minimum wage will bring back an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, giving Oregonians a chance to be self-sufficient and provide a future for themselves and their children,” said Causa Executive Director Andrea Miller. “Hardworking Oregonians can’t wait any longer – it’s time for legislative leaders to raise the wage so families can thrive and our economy can work for all of us.”

While the legislature has failed to take action to raise the state’s minimum wage during the 2015 session, House Speaker Tina Kotek revived the conversation on Monday when she announced a proposal to raise Oregon’s minimum wage to $13.00 by 2018 and restore the ability of cities and towns to set a local minimum wage that is higher than the statewide floor.

Oregon Retirement Savings Bill heads to Governor Brown’s desk for signature

For more information, contact:

Mike Westling | Save Today, Secure Tomorrow

(503) 498-8161 |

Oregon Legislature approves blueprint to create a retirement savings plan and make it available to working Oregonians 2017

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Senate passed legislation Tuesday that will ensure everyOregonian has access to a safe, easy and effective way to save for retirement. The bill cleared the Oregon House last week and will next go to the desk of Governor Kate Brown for her signature.

"The facts are clear: too many of Oregon's seniors are retiring into poverty, and we know that giving people access to a retirement savings plan works," said Representative Tobias Read. "House Bill 2960 gives Oregonians the opportunity to take control of their own retirement now and in the future."

HB 2960 creates the Oregon Retirement Savings Fund Board and directs the board to create a retirement savings plan accessible to all Oregonians.  The board will be chaired by the State Treasurer and will include representation from legislators, investors, employers, workers and retirees.

“Currently, nearly half of all Oregonians do not have a retirement plan at work,” said Senator Lee Beyer. “As a result, many are at risk of living in poverty when they retire – unable to cover basic living and medical expenses. House Bill 2960 provides a blueprint for creating a retirement savings plan that will help Oregonians make ends meet when they retire."

The Board is required to create a retirement savings plan that is:

• Voluntary, portable, flexible and easy to access: Workers will be allowed to choose to participate or opt out. The plan will stay with workers from job to job, with funds deposited into an individual retirement account and not tied to a single employer. Employees will be able to contribute to the plan through payroll deduction.
• Pooled and professionally managed: A well-managed plan will improve the health of investments, reduce fees and protect the interests of Oregon families.
• Secure and protected investments: By establishing a fund to be held in the public trust, the money Oregonians invest will be shielded from being used to fund other services.
• Available for Oregonians to begin participating in by July 1, 2017.

"Like many hardworking Oregonians, I don't have a retirement plan or the money to pay a financial advisor,” said Crystal Yeisley, a home care provider in Salem. “I'm not looking for anything fancy -- I just need a straightforward way to save the money I earn. A state-sponsored retirement plan would go a long way to helping me feel secure in planning the future."

A state-sponsored plan will make it easy for small business owners to offer retirement plans to their employees – they will only need to add a line item to the monthly pay stub.

“Far from being a burden on small businesses, the Retirement Security Bill provides an attractive option to small business owners who would like to offer their employees a retirement plan, but cannot because of cost and administrative hassle,”said State Treasurer Ted Wheeler.

Researchers from the Northwest Economic Research Center at the University of Portlandestimate that over 400,000 Oregon workers could participate in a new state-sponsored retirement plan. If those new plan enrollees earn returns that are comparable to those received by current retirees, their combined income from these plans would exceed $2 billion dollars per year.

“Many Oregonians are working hard every day, but lack a simple way to save the money they earn,” said Jerry Cohen, State Director for AARP Oregon. “A state-sponsored retirement plan benefits all of us – it helps small businesses retain employees by providing a no-cost retirement plan, it saves taxpayers money by reducing demand for public assistance programs, and it strengthens the Oregon economy.”

Oregon Becomes Fourth State in the Country With a Statewide Paid Sick Days Law

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

Passed by the House today, SB 454 is good for Oregon families, good for business, and good for public health

(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon House today passed Senate Bill 454-B by a vote of 33 to 24. The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Steiner Hayward of Beaverton and Representative Vega Pederson of Portland, will extend a moderate number of protected and paid sick days to more working Oregonians. SB 454 now heads to Governor Kate Brown, who is expected to sign the bill, making Oregon the fourth state to pass statewide sick days legislation.

“I’m proud to say that access to sick days will be a reality for every Oregonian. As a sponsor of the bill, this was a top priority for me,” said Representative Vega Pederson. “This policy will improve the lives of working families in every corner of our state. More parents will be free from making the heart wrenching choice between taking care of a sick child or losing a day of pay.” 

In 2012, the Everybody Benefits Coalition set out to win paid sick time for workers throughout Oregon. The coalition has organized in communities across the state to give a voice to working Oregonians without access to this basic workplace standard. Everybody Benefits supported both the Cities of Portland and Eugene in passing their own city ordinances in 2013 and 2014. 

“This is a historic vote for the hundreds of thousands of workers across our state who don’t have access to sick time where they work,” said Andrea Paluso, Everybody Benefits Coalition Chair and Family Forward Oregon Executive Director. “We applaud the many Oregon legislators who stood up for working families today and finally removed this barrier to good health and economic security. Ensuring access to sick time sends a message loud and clear: Oregonians believe working families do better when they have the tools they need to care for themselves and their families without sacrificing income or their employment.”

SB 454 will create a statewide standard so workers in businesses with 10 or more employees can earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours (about five days) in a year. Workers in smaller businesses with less than 10 employees will receive job protection for up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time a year. Paid or unpaid sick time can be used for the diagnosis, care or treatment of the worker or a member of their family or in instances of domestic violence. The bill also protects employees from retaliation or discrimination for the use of sick time. 

“Today is a great day for Oregon,” said Representative Holvey. “This paid sick time law is a win for working families and all those who care about public health and economic security. I applaud everyone who supported and worked for the passage of this legislation. It's an important step forward in creating a healthier, stronger workforce for low-income workers who are still struggling to get by.” 

Paid sick time has gained support all over the country over the last few years. According to the polls, 80% of Oregon voters—including 74% of Republicans and 96% of Independents—support efforts to ensure all workers have paid sick time. Among those are business owners who’ve shown strong support for the issue. 

“Healthy workers are more productive workers," said Rosalind McCallard, Main Street Alliance member and owner of Snackrilege in Portland. "Sick days save employers money by reducing turnover and makes their employees feel valued. When my employees feel valued, they work harder. This policy is a win-win for Oregon's working families and our economy." 

Oregon Legislature Votes to ‘Ban the Box’ on Job Applications

Contact: Rose King, (503) 863.1363, rose@brinkcomm.com    

HB 3025 will help remove barriers to employment for people with past convictions and arrests 

(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon Senate today passed HB 3025 by a vote of 21 to 8. The legislation will prohibit employers from including questions about applicants’ criminal history on job applications. HB 3025 now heads to the House for a concurrent vote and then to Governor Kate Brown for her signature.   

For more than a year, the Fair Chance for All Coalition has been working hard to remove the question “Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?” from job applications and provide basic protections from discrimination for people with records.  

“As Oregonians, we believe that anyone who makes a mistake and learns from it deserves a second chance,” said Tom Chamberlain, President of Oregon AFL-CIO and member of Fair Chance For All. “This bill helps make it possible for thousands of people who have paid their debts to society to one day get a job and pull their lives and their families back together.”

More than 32,000 people in Oregon are currently incarcerated or on community supervision and face barriers to housing and jobs. Nearly 11 percent of incarcerated Oregonians are African American, despite the fact that African Americans make up only 2 percent of Oregon’s overall population.

“Finding a job is one of the biggest barriers for people with past convictions, even if they are qualified for the position,” said Rep. Carla C. Piluso, former Gresham Chief of Police. “In law enforcement, we know the single most effective deterrent against re-offending is employment. Past mistakes should not be a permanent barrier for people who want to earn an honest living and contribute positively to their community. This legislation is a step in the right direction." 

In Oregon, nearly 5,000 people are released from prison every year. Banning the box will give prospective employees an opportunity to meet with employers and explain who they are now, versus who they were when they committed the crime. 

“Even today, it’s disheartening to know that no matter how qualified I am for a job, I still face barriers because of a mistake I made more than ten years ago," said Emmanuel Price, an Oregonian with personal experience transitioning from incarceration to the community.

After struggling to find employment, Price founded Second Chances Are for Every One, an organization that works to reduce the rate of recidivism by providing support services to promote employment, empowerment, and community engagement for men in transition. 

"All formerly incarcerated Oregonians deserve a fair chance at employment. And with today’s passage of Ban the Box, we will get one," said Price. 

‘The box’ has already been removed from applications for City of Portland jobs in 2014 and Multnomah County jobs in 2006 and from the City of Eugene in 2007. Once signed into law, the bill will make Oregon the 18th state in the nation to “ban the box” including: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.

Oregon Senate Passes Sick Time Legislation, Bill Heads to House Floor

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

SB 454 is good for good for Oregon families, good for business, and good for public health

(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon Senate today passed Senate Bill 454-B, sending the paid sick time bill to the Oregon House of Representatives for approval. The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Steiner Hayward of Beaverton and Representative Vega Pederson of Portland, will ensure working Oregonians can earn a moderate number of sick days each year. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 17-13. 

“I am thrilled that the Senate showed strong support today for paid sick days, giving more Oregon families some much-needed economic security,” said Senator Steiner Hayward following the vote. “Today’s vote was an important step forward and I’m going to keep fighting to get this done.” 

Currently, 47 percent of private-sector workers in Oregon lack paid sick time where they work. Access to paid sick time varies widely by income, with low-wage workers less likely to have access than higher-paid workers. In Oregon, 82 percent of those earning more than $65,000 annually have access to paid sick time, compared to just 29 percent of Oregonians earning less than $20,000 annually. There’s an even larger gap in access among Hispanic workers in Oregon, with 62 percent lacking paid sick time. 

“Our senate did the right thing today by passing paid sick days. Without this bill, too many Oregonians have to sacrifice a day’s pay, or their job altogether, to take care of themselves or their sick child, and that’s not how we should do business in Oregon,” said Andrea Paluso, Everybody Benefits Coalition Chair and Family Forward Oregon Executive Director. "A handful of paid sick days a year will help keep our workers, our families, our workplaces, and our communities healthier. I urge House members to support this bill and help create an economy that works for all families, not just the wealthiest few.”

Individuals without paid sick time currently have only two options: 

• Go to work sick or send a sick child to school or daycare; or 

• Stay home, lose pay and risk being fired.

“I work hard but still can’t get ahead,” said Anastasia Hernandez Vasquez, a mom from Hillsboro who lacks paid sick time. “When my special needs son gets sick and I have to stay home, I do not get paid. My husband doesn't have paid sick days either. So, staying home to recover from an illness even for a day means we lose a substantial part of our income and have to decide what part of the budget has to be cut that month: utilities, groceries, gas or things our growing children need, like a new pair of pants.”

Paid sick time has gained support all over the country in the last few years as three states and 18 cities have now passed laws and approved measures granting workers access to protected and paid sick days. The Cities of Portland and Eugene are among those that have led the movement by passing their own city ordinances.  

“This bill will not only help families, it's also good for business. Study after study finds that paid sick days boost productivity and help companies retain workers,” said Senator Dembrow. “In this case, doing the right thing for workers and their families is also the right thing for Oregon businesses.”   

SB 454 will create a statewide standard so workers all across Oregon can accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours (about five days) in a year. Sick time can be used for the diagnosis, care or treatment of the worker or a member of their family or in instances of domestic violence. The bill also protects employees from retaliation or discrimination for the use of sick time. 

The bill now awaits further consideration in the House. 

Oregon Legislature acts on key policy changes that will promote the economic security of Oregon families

Three of the five 2015 Fair Shot for All priorities—paid sick days, ban the box and retirement security— headed for floor votes 

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

(Salem, Ore.)—The Oregon Legislature took action this week on three policies that create economic opportunity for Oregon’s working families: expanding access to paid sick days, “banning the box” to create opportunities for people with prior convictions and arrests to find work, and making saving for retirement easier. The three bills (HB 3025, SB 454 and HB 296) represent three of the five issues that Fair Shot For All, a coalition of community and labor groups, has prioritized for the Oregon 2015 Legislative Session. 

"Fair Shot For All has been working hard all session to create real opportunities for every Oregonian to succeed,” said Heather Conroy, Executive Director for coalition member SEIU Local 503. “This week marks an important step forward as three solutions that help address economic inequality head for important votes. We urge legislators to continue to make working families a priority by supporting these bills."

The bills’ forward progress comes on the heels of a press conference held last month by Fair Shot For All, calling for lawmakers to move on key policy changes that will give hardworking Oregonians a fair shot. Workers, business owners and 10 state legislators joined the coalition in this public show of support. 

House Bill 3025, the “ban the box” legislation, passed out of the Senate Workforce Committee on Wednesday by a vote of 3 to 2. The legislation will prohibit employers from including questions about applicants’ criminal history on job applications.

Successful employment is one of the most important factors for decreasing recidivism. A steady job provides not just financial resources, but also connections to a new community that can help reduce the risk of another offense.

“People with prior convictions and arrests are regularly shut out of jobs because of one checked box on their job applications,” said Senator Michael Dembrow. “Removing questions about criminal history from job applications creates opportunities for qualified Oregonians to obtain the work they need to rebuild their lives and support their families.”  

The Oregon House passed the “ban the box” legislation in April by a vote of 33 to 27. The bill now awaits further consideration in the Senate. 

Senate Bill 454, the paid sick time bill, passed out of the Joint Ways and Means Committee today by a vote of 14 to 9. The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward and Representative Jessica Vega Pederson, will create a statewide standard so workers all across Oregon can accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours in a year. 

Low-wage workers are less likely to have access to paid sick days than higher-paid workers. In Oregon, only 29 percent of Oregonians earning less than $20,000 annually have access to paid sick time, compared to 82 percent of those earning more than $65,000 annually.

"The truth is, people are more productive when they can stay home to recover and care for their families without losing pay or risking their jobs,” said Representative Jessica Vega Pederson. “Voters overwhelmingly support paid sick time and a growing number of employers do too. I urge the Senate to pass this basic workplace standard."

The paid sick time legislation now awaits further consideration in the Senate. 

House Bill 2960, the retirement security bill, passed out of the Joint Ways and Means Committee today by a vote of 14 to 9. The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Lee Beyer and Representative Tobias Read, will provide every Oregonian with a safe, easy and effective way to save for retirement.  

Currently, nearly half of all Oregonians do not have a retirement plan at work. As a result, many are at risk of living in poverty when they retire – unable to cover basic living and medical expenses.  

"It’s time to put Oregonians back in charge of their financial future,” said Representative Tobias Read. “By giving every working Oregonian an easy way to save for retirement, we can provide security for individuals, families and our communities. I'm calling on my colleagues in the House to support this legislation."   

The retirement security bill now awaits further consideration in the House. 

Fair Shot For All Coalition to State Legislature: ‘Oregonians Have Waited Long Enough for Paid Sick Days’

Workers, business owners, state legislators, community and labor groups hold press conference calling for action on statewide paid sick days legislation

(SALEM, OR) – At a press conference in the Oregon State Capitol, the Fair Shot For All Coalition today pointed to the state legislature’s lack of progress on paid sick days, retirement security and other issues impacting income inequality. Joined by workers, business owners and several state legislators, the coalition called on lawmakers to take immediate action on a strong paid sick days law.

“Memorial Day typically marks the beginning of the end of the legislative session – and our lawmakers haven’t yet acted on key policy changes that will give hardworking Oregonians a fair shot, such as sick days and retirement security,” said Andrea Paluso, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon and Chair of the Fair Shot for All Coalition.  “We are standing here today with working Oregonians and business owners to send a message loud and clear: it’s time to pass critical policies for working Oregonians.”

Enacting a statewide paid sick days law is one of the coalition’s top priorities. Forty-seven percent of private-sector workers in Oregon currently lack paid sick time, forcing them to chose between working sick, sending a sick child to school or losing a day’s pay when they or a family member fall ill.

“Ensuring every working Oregonian can afford to stay home when they are sick will help keep our workplaces healthy and businesses strong,” said Senator Sara Gelser. “I’ve heard loud and clear how important this issue is to Oregonians. I promised the people who elected me that I would fight for it, and I’m here to keep that promise." 

Senator Sara Gelser was joined at the press conference by colleagues Senator Michael Dembrow, Senator Chip Shields, Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, Representative Peter Buckley, Representative Shemia Fagan, Representative Joe Gallegos, Representative Paul Holvey, Representative Barbara Smith Warner and Representative Jessica Vega Pederson.

Paid sick time has gained widespread support over the last few years as three states and 16 cities have now passed laws and approved measures allowing workers to accrue and access paid sick days. The City of Portland and the City of Eugene are among those approving their own city ordinances. 

“I’ve worked at a grocery store in Salem for 19 years, but when I’m sick I still have to make a choice between staying home to get better or coming in to work,” said Melody Gramley, who works at a grocery store in Salem, Oregon.  “It doesn’t matter if I’m coughing, sneezing, or have a fever – if I’m not at work, I’m not getting paid. It shouldn’t be a luxury to have a day to recover from the flu or to take care of your kids when they’re home sick. We need our legislators to take action to help working Oregonians – and we need them to do it now.”

Low-wage workers are less likely to have access to paid sick days than higher-paid workers. In Oregon, 82 percent of those earning more than $65,000 annually have access to paid sick time, compared to 29 percent of Oregonians earning less than $20,000 annually.

“My employees live in the same community I do – they work hard and they deserve time to take care of their families and to recover when they’re sick,” said Peter Emerson, owner of Bipartisan Café in Portland, Oregon. “Rather than detracting from my bottom line, paid sick time helps me retain talented employees and fosters more productivity.”

More than 300 people turned out to a February hearing on the paid sick days bills (SB 454 and HB 2005) with a strong showing among supporters of the bills—including workers, business owners, public health experts, community members, organizations, schoolteachers and more.

More than 10,000 Oregonians have signed a petition in support of paid sick days.

“Let me be clear: until there is strong paid sick days bill on the governor’s desk, we’ll be working around the clock to make sure that Oregon workers have the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Paluso.

Oregon House Passes ‘Ban the Box’ Legislation

Contact: Rose King, (503) 863.1363, rose@brinkcomm.com    

Fair Chance For All Coalition applauds passage of HB 3025—a critical step in giving qualified job applicants who’ve paid their debts to society a fair chance at rebuilding their lives

(Salem, Ore.)—April 29, 2015—The Oregon House of Representatives today passed HB 3025, sending the bill to the Oregon Senate for approval. The legislation will prohibit employers from including questions about applicants’ criminal history on job applications. It is backed by The Fair Chance for All coalition, a group of more than 50 organizations in Oregon.

More than 32,000 people in Oregon are currently incarcerated or on community supervision and face barriers to housing and jobs. Nearly 11 percent of incarcerated Oregonians are African American, despite the fact that African Americans make up only 2 percent of Oregon’s overall population.

“Today, we are one step closer to banning the box so that thousands of people released from prison every year can obtain the jobs they need to support themselves and their families,” said Midge Purcell, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for Portland Urban League. “These Oregonians need a second chance at rebuilding their lives.”  

Successful employment is one of the most important factors for decreasing recidivism. A steady job provides not just financial resources, but also connections to a new community that can help reduce the risk of another offense.

"As a local business owner, I believe in second chances. Punishing people for a lifetime isn’t working," said Barb Campbell, Bend City Councilor and owner of Wabi Sabi. "At the end of the day, I am looking for the most hardworking, qualified person for the job. A checked box doesn't tell me everything I need to know about an applicant."

Theresa Sweeney, an Oregonian with personal experience transitioning from incarceration to the community, continues to struggles with employment, despite earning a master’s degree in 2010.

"People say, 'Pick yourself up by your bootstraps,’ and you do, but then there are still all these barriers,” said Sweeney. “It's so frustrating. It's been eleven years and I still face repercussions. It's really hard."

‘The box’ has already been removed from applications for City of Portland jobs in 2014 and Multnomah County jobs in 2007. If the legislature passes HB 3025, Oregon will join 100 jurisdictions and 16 states that have already banned the box, including: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.

The Portland City Council is also considering a ‘ban the box’ ordinance, which would apply to all employers in Portland.  A hearing was held on the resolution last month. 

Fair Shot For All – Progress

TO: Interested Parties

FROM: Heather Stuart

DATE: April 22, 2015

RE: Fair Shot For All – Progress

Over the past month, we’ve made huge strides toward adopting fair shot solutions that will create economic opportunity for Oregon’s working families. Each of the Fair Shot priorities continues to move forward in Salem and gain support among legislative leaders. Below, you’ll find details about where each bill stands and what happens next.

Statewide Rallies

On March 18, Oregonians came together in 7 cities across the state to rally in support of solutions that will create real opportunity and a real fair shot for every Oregonian.

Turnout was great and energy was high – it is clear that Oregonians are excited about the Fair Shot campaign and ready for elected leaders to stand with them on the issues they care about. We produced a 50-second video that captures the growing momentum – check it out here:

Fair Shot for All - March 2015 Statewide Rallies from Fair Shot Oregon on Vimeo.

Legislative Hearings

At legislative hearings in Salem, Oregonians have gathered by the hundreds to get the attention of lawmakers and make their voices heard. They are sharing their stories of what it’s like to live and work in an economic system where the decks are stacked.

The good news is that lawmakers are listening and responding by moving Fair Shot solutions forward.

Keep reading for updates on each of the Fair Shot legislative priorities and more information about how you can get involved.

Minimum Wage

On April 13th, the Senate Committee on Workforce and the House Committee on Business and Labor held a joint public hearing on several legislative proposals that would raise the minimum wage in Oregon. Senate Bill 610, co-sponsored by Senator Shields of Portland and Representative Gorsek of Troutdale, and House Bill 2009, sponsored by Representative Nosse of Portland, were among those considered. Both bills would raise the wage to $15 per hour by 2018.

More than 250 people turned out to the hearing with a strong showing among supporters of SB 610 and HB 2009—including workers, business owners, economic analysts, community members, organizations, and more. KEZI in Eugene spoke with workers and members of the community about why increasing the minimum wage would provide a boost for families and the local economy.

Earlier in April, the Oregon Center for Public Policy released a new study showing that raising Oregon’s minimum wage to $15 per hour could boost the bottom line of small businesses, a sector that has enjoyed growth even after substantial wage hikes over the years.

Researchers found that an estimated 589,000 workers would see their wages rise if lawmakers raised the minimum wage to $15 by 2018. Over the three years that the increase would be phased in, lower-income workers as a group would gain about $3.2 billion in added wages.

Paid Sick Days

In late March, the Senate Committee on Workforce approved legislation to extend paid sick leave to working Oregonians. The bill now moves to the Joint Ways and Means Committee before receiving a full vote from the Legislature.

The bill’s progress has been covered by The Salem Statesman Journal, The Portland Business Journal, The Portland Tribune, and The Oregonian.

In February, the legislature held three hearings on the two paid sick days bills (SB 454 and HB 2005) and more than 300 people turned out to show their support and make their voices heard!

You can assist in the effort by reaching out to your senator and expressing your support for SB 454. Find out who your senator is and how to contact them here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-districts.html

Retirement Security

In March, researchers from the Northwest Economic Research Center (NERC) at Portland State University released a new report that details the growing retirement savings crisis in Oregon and projects the economic impact of a state-sponsored retirement savings plan.

Researchers estimate that over 400,000 Oregon workers could participate in a new state-sponsored retirement plan. If those new plan enrollees earn returns that are comparable to those received by current retirees, their combined income from these plans would exceed $2 billion dollars per year.

Researchers also found that 63-68% of employees at firms with 500 employees or more are participating in retirement plans while only 11% of employees at firms with 11 or fewer employees participate in a plan.

A state-sponsored plan would make it easy for small business owners to offer retirement plans to their employees – they would only need to add a line item to the monthly pay stub.

The next step for retirement security legislation will be approval by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means and then a vote by the full legislature.

Ban the Box

In March, the Portland City Council and the Oregon House Committee on Business and Labor both held hearings on legislation to “Ban the Box” and give qualified job applicants who’ve paid their debts to society a fair chance at rebuilding their lives.

The legislation would make it illegal for all employers to use job application forms to ask about criminal history or disqualify an applicant from employment because of a prior conviction, unless the conviction is job-related.

Employment is one of the most important influences for decreasing recidivism. Two years after release, twice as many employed people with records had avoided running into trouble with the law, compared to their unemployed counterparts. A steady job provides not just financial resource, but also connections to a new community that can help reduce the risk of recidivism.

Long after people convicted of crime have served their time, they can continue to encounter barriers to employment.  KOIN spoke with Theresa Sweeney, a mother of three children with a master’s degree who has struggled to find a job since serving time for four felony convictions in the early 2000s.

Ban the Box legislation continues to move forward in Portland and in the Oregon legislature.

 End 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 the streets, in our schools and in our own neighborhoods.

Oregon is only one of 8 states that haven’t banned profiling. It's about time we change that— so people don’t have to live in fear and entire communities aren’t cast as suspect simply because of what we look like, where we come from or what religion we adhere to.

Last week, Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, came to Oregon to shine a light on the issue of profiling and the dangerous consequences it can have for communities of color.  She spoke about how profiling is a concern here in Oregon, saying "It's important I come to places like Portland, which is thousands of miles away from my house, but nevertheless, it's still an important issue here."

Read more about Syrbina Fulton’s visit from KPTV.

The House Committee on Judiciary took action on April 20th to combine the three End Profiling bills (HB 2001, HB 2002 and HB 2003) into a single bill and move the legislation forward with bipartisan support. The committee also approved an amendment that would create the Law Enforcement Profiling Work Group, a new group tasked with evaluating how best to implement the new policies across the state.  The amendment requires data collection and sets up a system for people to report complaints and for those complaints to be reported back to local jurisdictions.

End Profiling legislation has also received the endorsement of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police (OACP). The over 200 members of OACP include not only Chiefs of Police, but also police commanders, supervisors, and support staff from all over Oregon.

“Bias policing is not professional policing and the members of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police are committed to best practice standards in hiring, policies and training designed to insure that our police officers continue to have the full confidence of the communities they serve,” said Kevin Campbell, OACP Executive Director. “Public confidence in the legitimacy of policing and in the work our police officers perform each and every day is absolutely critical to our effectiveness.”

The End Profiling legislation next moves to the Sub Joint Ways and Means Committee on Public Safety for approval before going to the full Ways and Means Committee and then a vote from the full legislature.

What’s Next?

For the Oregonian who has worked for more than twenty-five years to earn a single paid sick day, the worker who has been making minimum wage without a raise in over a decade, for the aging Oregonian who plans to work until she dies, and for the farmworker who is repeatedly cut out of our most important labor laws—change cannot come fast enough.

Folks across Oregon are ready for Fair Shot solutions and they’re putting the pressure on lawmakers to get it done.

To find out how you can participate, visit the Fair Shot for All website. Follow Fair Shot for All on Facebook for the latest updates on progress in Salem and across the country.

Onward!

 - Heather

Heather Stuart

Fair Shot for All Campaign Director

Oregon Police Chiefs Endorse Legislation to End Profiling

Legislators establish workgroup to identify and address profiling practices, consolidate bills with bipartisan support during Monday work session.

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Association Chiefs of Police (OACP) announced their support Monday for legislation designed to put an end to profiling in Oregon by clearly defining the problem in statute, collecting better data, and providing a path for reporting profiling complaints. The over 200 members of OACP include not only Chiefs of Police, but also police commanders, supervisors, and support staff from all over Oregon.

“First of all, I would like to thank the legislative sponsors and proponents of HB 2002 for engaging us in an important conversation regarding bias policing and the provisions of this measure,” said Kevin Campbell, Executive Director of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police. “We worked collaboratively with the Center for Intercultural Organizing and other proponents to insure that Oregonians from all perspectives and backgrounds have a place to take their bias policing complaints if they don’t feel comfortable complaining directly to their local police agency. Bias policing is not professional policing and the members of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police are committed to best practice standards in hiring, policies and training designed to insure that our police officers continue to have the full confidence of the communities they serve. Public confidence in the legitimacy of policing and in the work our police officers perform each and every day is absolutely critical to our effectiveness.”

The House Committee on Judiciary took action on April 20th to combine the three End Profiling bills (HB 2001, HB 2002 and HB 2003) into a single bill and move the legislation forward with bipartisan support. The committee also approved an amendment that would create the Law Enforcement Profiling Work Group, a new group tasked with evaluating how best to implement the new policies across the state.  The amendment requires data collection and sets up a system for people to report complaints and for those complaints to be reported back to local jurisdictions.

“Oregon’s law enforcement leaders recognize that to improve public safety and end discriminatory profiling practices, they must work hand-in-hand with the communities they serve,” said Kayse Jama, Executive Director of the Center for Intercultural Organizing. “This endorsement shows that our law enforcement leaders are ready to step up, identify problems of profiling, and take action to make our communities safer.

Progress will require a cultural and systemic shift away from policing tactics that utilize profiling to community policing, a more effective public safety strategy that fosters trust between law enforcement officers and communities by building partnerships and addressing the conditions that generate public safety issues.

"The scariest thing to me is that so many people don't believe that racial profiling exists in Oregon," said Ricardo Lujan, Board Member for Oregon Action. "Profiling of all kinds damages the relationship between the law enforcement and our communities. By collecting data and providing accountability, this bill will make our neighborhoods and families safer."

The work group will be tasked with proposing a process to identify patterns or practices of profiling, identifying methods to address and correct these practices and biased policies, and preparing a report identifying any additional statutory changes that are needed to achieve these goals.

The End Profiling legislation next moves to the Sub Joint Ways and Means Committee on Public Safety for approval before going to the full Ways and Means Committee and then a vote from the full legislature.

If you have questions about details of the legislation, please contact Salome Chimuku with the Center for Intercultural Organizing at (503) 754-0413 or Mary Beth Williams with the office of Rep. Peter Buckley at (207) 318-3224.  If you would like to interview Kevin Campbell of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police or Ricardo Lujan of Oregon Action, please contact Mike Westling at mike@brinkcomm.com or (503) 498-8161 to coordinate.

Working Oregonians, Small Business Owners, Labor Leaders Show Support for Higher Wages at Legislative Hearings

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

SB 610 and HB 2009 strengthen working families, boost buying power of millions of Oregonians, power local economy and help small businesses grow

(Salem, Ore.)—The Senate Committee on Workforce and the House Committee on Business and Labor tonight held a joint public hearing on several legislative proposals that would raise the minimum wage in Oregon. Senate Bill 610, co-sponsored by Senator Shields of Portland and Representative Gorsek of Troutdale, and House Bill 2009, sponsored by Representative Nosse of Portland, were among those considered. Both bills would raise the wage to $15 per hour by 2018.

“By giving our workers a raise, we will ensure all Oregonians get a fair shot at a better life while boosting the buying power of consumers across the state," said Representative Nosse, sponsor of the bill. "It's a win-win for working families and our local economy.”

More than 200 people turned out to the hearing with a strong showing among supporters of SB 610 and HB 2009—including workers, business owners, economic analysts, community members, organizations, and more.

A broad coalition submitted testimony in support of the bills, including: Tom Chamberlain, President of the Oregon AFL-CIO; Rob Sisk, President of SEIU Local 503; Kasil Kapriel, a single-working mom from Portland; Stephen Michael, Oregon State Director for the Main Street Alliance; and Daniel Morris, Research Director for Our Oregon.

“Raising Oregon’s minimum wage to $15 will really help our families who are struggling to get ahead," said Andrea Paluso, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon and Co-Chair of the Fair Shot For All Coalition. "For the working mom who's been paid minimum wage for over a decade without a raise, change cannot come fast enough. It’s time for elected officials to make us a priority and give Oregonians a much-needed raise."

The High Cost of Low Wages in Oregon, a report from the University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) released earlier this year, found that 197,000 Oregonians who received public assistance in January 2014 worked the previous year. And the cost of providing this assistance falls on taxpayers who provide $1.7 billion each year to subsidize corporations’ reliance on a low-wage workforce.

Currently, one in four Oregon workers brings home less than $25,000 each year. Women and people of color make up the largest percentage of our low-wage workforce. In Oregon, women represent more than half of minimum wage workers while people of color make up about 36 percent.

“It is difficult to balance the needs of my three kids with a full-time job where I make only $9.25 an hour,” said Kasil Kapriel, a single-working mom from Portland. "If we raised the minimum wage to $15, I would be able to pay my rent on time and save for my children’s education.”

Small business owners have joined working Oregonians from across the state in calling on the legislature to pass a higher minimum wage. 

"Better wages make for more satisfied, more motivated, and overall more productive employees," said Mark Kellenbeck, Co-owner of BrainJoy in Medford, and Co-Chair of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon. "We have consistently found that better wages both attract and retain superior employees."

According to a study released last week by the Oregon Center for Public Policy, raising Oregon’s minimum wage to $15 per hour could boost the bottom line of small businesses, a sector that has enjoyed growth even after substantial wage hikes over the years.

Both bills now await work sessions in their respective committees.

New Study Shows Oregon Small Businesses Can Thrive With A Higher Minimum Wage

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

Small business owners, Fair Shot for All Coalition call on Oregon Legislature to give hardworking Oregonians a raise  

Portland, Ore. – Oregon Center for Public Policy released today A Higher Minimum Wage Works for Small Businesses, a new study that shows small businesses in Oregon could benefit from a higher minimum wage. The Oregon legislature is currently considering a number of proposals to increase the minimum wage, including House Bill 2009 and  Senate Bill 610 which would raise the wage to $15 an hour by 2018. 

"This study shows that raising the minimum wage can go hand in hand with strong job growth for small businesses," said Senator Sara Gelser. "With multiple proposals on the table right now, it's critical that we give real thought at what it will take to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oregon families."

Key findings from the report include:

+ Experience shows small businesses do fine with higher minimum wages. Oregon raised the minimum wage three times from 1989 to 2002, not counting the annual inflation adjustments that began in 2004. During that time, the small business sector showed mostly uninterrupted growth, with contractions seemingly tied to the business cycle, not to minimum wage increases. Between 1988 and 2007, right before the start of the Great Recession, businesses with fewer than 20 employees grew by more than a third, as did jobs in those businesses. 

+ Small business jobs paying under $15 account for a small share of all Oregon jobs. There are about 1.9 million jobs in Oregon. There is no universal definition for the term “small business,” though a common definition is businesses that employ fewer than 50 people. Under that definition, there are about 292,000 small business jobs in Oregon that pay less than $15 an hour. That amounts to about 16 percent of all jobs in the state.  

+ Most workers who would receive a wage increase work at larger businesses. Of all jobs in the state paying under $15 per hour, what share corresponds to larger businesses? The answer is the majority of such jobs—62 percent—assuming that small businesses are those with fewer than 50 employees. Therefore, most workers who would see a wage increase as a result of a $15 per hour minimum wage in Oregon work at a larger business.

+ Employers experience productivity gains from a higher minimum wage. Researchers have found that a higher minimum wage yields savings to employers in the form of higher productivity and other efficiencies. Oregon small business owners can expect such benefits from a higher state minimum wage.

Small business owners from across the state have joined proponents in calling on the Oregon Legislature to pass a higher minimum wage. 

"Better wages make for more satisfied, more motivated, and overall more productive employees," said Mark Kellenbeck, Co-owner of BrainJoy in Medford, and Co-Chair of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon. "We have consistently found that better wages both attract and retain superior employees."

"Investing in our employees sends the message that they are worth a fair wage," says Deborah Field, Co-owner of Paperjam Press in Portland, and Executive Team member of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon. "A higher wage allows my staff to have a better quality of life and enhances their confidence and pride, all while developing a more robust consumer base.”

"When it comes down to it, we need to ask ourselves what kind of Oregon we want to live in," voices Sabrina Parsons, Owner of Palo Alto Software in Eugene, and Executive Team member of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon. "I can tell you the kind of Oregon I want to raise my family in—an Oregon that supports investment in our communities, economy-boosting jobs, and creates opportunities for all Oregonians to succeed. That's why we need to raise the Oregon minimum wage."

The release of the Small Business Report follows The High Cost of Low Wages in Oregon, a report from the University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) released earlier this year, which details the growth of low wage work in Oregon and illuminates the financial crisis that low wage, no benefits jobs have created for working families and Oregon taxpayers. 

The LERC report finds that 197,000 Oregonians who received public assistance in January 2014 worked the previous year. And the cost of providing this assistance is breaking the bank—taxpayers provide $1.7 billion each year to subsidize corporations’ reliance on a low-wage workforce.

"Higher wages mean fewer Oregon families living in poverty while working full-time. It's that simple," said Andrea Paluso, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon and Chair of the Fair Shot For All Coalition. "It’s time for elected officials to give Oregonians a real raise that will enable them to pay their bills and even save a little for the future. If they don't, too many Oregonians won't have a path out of poverty, now or in the future." 

Fair Shot For All—a broad coalition of community and labor organizations from across Oregon—has been pushing for real policy solutions that address economic inequality, give a better future for all Oregonians and strengthen Oregon’s economy, including: raising the minimum wage; ensuring all Oregonians earn paid sick days; ending profiling; making saving for retirement easier; and creating opportunities for people with prior convictions and arrests to find work. 

Fair Shot for All includes Family Forward Oregon, SEIU, AFSCME, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, CAUSA, Center for Intercultural Organizing, Oregon AFL-CIO, Oregon Education Association, PCUN, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, Rural Organizing Project, UFCW, and the Urban League of Portland, Oregon and an ever-growing coalition from across Oregon.  

Community leaders, law enforcement from across Oregon testify in support of legislation to end profiling

Contact:
Dahlia Grossman-Heinze
(562) 212-2999
dahlia@brinkcomm.com

Legislation is designed to end profiling by defining the problem, collecting better data, and providing path for reporting complaints   

Salem, Ore. – Community leaders, law enforcement officers, and Oregonians who have experienced profiling testified at a legislative hearing Monday in support of three bills designed to put an end to profiling in Oregon by clearly defining the problem in statute, collecting better data, and providing a path for reporting profiling complaints.

“Profiling is an issue across the country, and in Oregon as well,” said Rep. Peter Buckley, House District 5. “We have a moral obligation to do everything we can to ensure equal justice for all in our state, and the legislation we are proposing will help clarify the extent of profiling in Oregon, and take the steps needed to eliminate it. Every Oregonian should feel safe and respected in their community.”

“Profiling goes beyond the outcome of any one encounter,” said Rep. Lew Frederick, House District 43. “Over time it leads to buildup of resentment based on lack of respect, and that resentment leads to increased tension carried into the next interaction with officers, and that isn’t good for citizens or officers. Profiling damages the police due to lost credibility, and damages the community due to lost trust. It’s past time to put a stop to it.”

A broad coalition submitted testimony in support of the bills, including: Urban League of Portland, Basic Rights Oregon, UCC, NAACP, Center for Intercultural Organizing, SEIU, AFL-CIO, NAACP, and PCUN.

Legislation to End Profiling

Together, HB 2001, HB 2002 and HB 2003 work to define profiling, collect better data and provide a path for reporting profiling complaints.

HB 2001 — HB 2001 requires law enforcement agencies to collect data on profiling and adopt procedures for accepting complaints about law enforcement officers who engagein profiling. The bill also directs law enforcement agencies to investigate profiling complaints and submit copies of complaints to Oregon Criminal Justice Commission.

HB 2002 — HB 2002 requires the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to establish independent procedures for receiving and recording profiling complaints. The bill also gives the Criminal Justice Department within the Department of Justice the authority to collect profiling complaints against law enforcement and publish reports on their findings.

The Attorney General may give notice to the violating law enforcement agency and investigate if they think an agency or individual has a systemic issue.

HB 2003 — HB 2003 defines profiling and clearly bans law enforcement from using profiling as a tactic in Oregon. The bill prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officers from profiling people by solely using someone’s race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, national origin, language, housing status, sexual orientation or gender/gender identity as a basis to stop, question, or search them.

More information on the effort to end profiling in Oregon is available online: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pzturmu1k97f541/EndProfiling_OnePager.pdf?dl=0

If you have questions about the legislation, please contact Salome Chimuku with the Center for Intercultural Organizing at (503) 754-0413 or Mary Beth Williams with the office of Rep. Peter Buckley at (207) 318-3224.

Paid Sick Time Bill Passes Senate Committee on Workforce, Heads to Ways and Means Committee

Contact: Lisa Frack, lisa@familyforwardoregon.org

SB 454 will ensure all working Oregonians have access to a reasonable amount of paid sick time every year

(Salem, Ore.)—The Senate Committee on Workforce today passed Senate Bill 454  The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Steiner Hayward of Beaverton and Representative Vega Pederson of Portland, will promote public health and the economic security of Oregon families by ensuring all working Oregonians have access to a reasonable amount of paid sick time where they work. It will also contribute to the health and productivity of our economy. The bill now moves to the Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. 

“This important policy gives every worker in Oregon the opportunity to earn paid sick time. It’s the right thing to do,” said Senator Michael Dembrow, Chair of the Senate Committee on Workforce. “I’m proud of this legislation and grateful to my colleagues for their support.”

Last month, more than 300 people attended the public hearing on SB 454, with a strong showing among supporters —including workers, business owners, public health experts, community members, social justice organizations, schoolteachers, nurses, and more.

“Today, we are one step closer to strengthening the economic security of Oregon families. We must ensure that workers across the state have the basic human dignity at work that goes with being able to take a paid sick day to recover from illness or care for a sick child." said Andrea Paluso, Everybody Benefits Coalition Chair and Family Forward Oregon Executive Director.

“I work hard but still can’t get ahead,” said Kim Eggleston, a single-mom from Aloha who lacks paid sick time. “When my son or I get sick and I have to stay home, I do not get paid. Just eight hours of lost pay leaves me struggling to cover my bills.”

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), 47 percent of private sector workers in Oregon have no access to paid sick time where they work. There’s an even larger gap in access among Hispanic workers in Oregon, with 62 percent having no paid sick time. Low-wage workers are also less likely to have access to paid sick time than higher-paid workers. In Oregon, 82 percent of those earning more than $65,000 annually have access to paid sick time compared to 29 percent of Oregonians earning less than $20,000 annually.  

“Ensuring everyone can earn paid sick time is a common sense solution for families still struggling from the lingering recession, including low-wage workers and families of color who are hurting the most,” said Representative Paul Holvey, Chair of the House Committee on Business and Labor, which also heard HB 2005 last month— the House’s counterpart to the paid sick time bill.

SB 454 and HB 2005 will create a statewide standard so workers across Oregon can both provide for and responsibly care for their own and their families’ health. Both bills will allow workers to accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours (about five days) in a year. Sick time can be used for the diagnosis, care or treatment of the worker or a member of their family or in instances of domestic violence. Both bills also protect employees from retaliation or discrimination for the use of sick time.

Paid sick time has gained support all over the country in the last few years as three states and 18 cities have now passed laws and approved measures granting workers access to paid sick days. The City of Portland and the City of Eugene are among those that have passed their own city ordinances. For more than four years, the Everybody Benefits Coalition has been organizing in communities across Oregon to build momentum for the issue.

The bill now awaits its next hearing in the Ways and Means Committee. 

House Committee on Business and Labor Holds Public Hearing on Legislation to ‘Ban the Box’

Contact: Rose King, (503) 863.1363, rose@brinkcomm.com    

HB 3025 will give qualified job applicants who’ve paid their debts to society
a fair chance at rebuilding their lives

(Salem, Ore.)—March 25, 2015—Community advocates, labor leaders and small business owners testified today at a public hearing held by the House Committee On Business and Labor in support of a proposal to ‘ban the box’. The proposed legislation would make it illegal for all employers in Oregon to use job application forms to ask about criminal history or disqualify an applicant from employment because of a prior conviction, unless the conviction is job-related.

The bill is backed by The Fair Chance for All coalition, a group of more than 50 organizations in Oregon.

A broad group submitted testimony in support of the legislation, including: Tom Chamberlain, President of Oregon AFL-CIO; Midge Purcell, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for Portland Urban League; Patrick Gihring, Director of Adult Workforce Services for Worksystems, Inc.; Theresa Sweeney, an Oregonian with personal experience transitioning from incarceration to the community; and Jim Houser, owner of local small business Hawthorne Auto Clinic.

More than 32,000 people in Oregon are currently incarcerated or on community supervision and face barriers to housing and jobs. Almost 11 percent of incarcerated Oregonians is African American, despite that fact that the state’s overall population is just 2 percent.

“Our criminal justice system convicts and incarcerates African Americans and other people of color in numbers that far exceed our percentage in the state. This inequity is compounded by employment barriers that impact those with criminal histories,” said Purcell.

Employment is one of the most important influences for decreasing recidivism. Two years after release, twice as many employed people with records had avoided running into trouble with the law, compared to their unemployed counterparts. A steady job provides not just financial resource, but also connections to a new community that can help reduce the risk of recidivism.

"Banning the box will allow someone like me to get an interview so that I can show who I am today, not who I was," said Vu. "Potential employers can assess my qualifications for the job and I'm not immediately removed from the applicant pool because of my past mistakes."

The legislation would allow employers to ask about an individual’s conviction history, but just later in the hiring process, after the person has met the minimum qualifications for the job.  It would not apply to law enforcement positions and other jobs that, by law, require a criminal background check.

"In Oregon, even as the economy is improving, it is still hard for people with records to find work," said Chamberlain. "Folks with records aren’t getting interviewed and in turn, aren’t getting jobs. That leads to more people recidivating. We can make our communities safer, our incarcerated population smaller and our workforce larger by banning the box.”

“The box” has already been removed from applications for City of Portland jobs in 2014 and Multnomah County jobs in 2007. If the legislature passes HB 3025, Oregon will join more than 50 jurisdictions and 10 states that have already banned the box, including: Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Minnesota, Hawaii, New Mexico and Colorado.

The Portland City Council is considering a similar proposal to ‘ban the box’ which would apply to all employers in Portland.  A hearing was held on the resolution earlier this month.

New Portland State University Report Projects Impact of State-sponsored Retirement Savings Plan

Media Contact:

Mike Westling | (503) 498-8161 | mike@brinkcomm.com

Researchers estimate savings plan would increase retirement savings for over 400,000 Oregonians

Portland, Ore. – On Wednesday, researchers from the Northwest Economic Research Center (NERC) at Portland State University released a new report that details the growing retirement savings crisis in Oregon and projects the impact that a state-sponsored retirement savings plan would have.

Researchers estimate that over 400,000 Oregon workers could participate in a new state-sponsored retirement plan. If those new plan enrollees earn returns that are comparable to those received by current retirees, their combined income from these plans would exceed $2 billion dollars per year.

The report also found major disparities in access to retirement plans between workers: 63-68% of employees at firms with 500 employees or more are participating in retirement plans while only 11% of employees at firms with 11 or fewer employees participate in a plan.

PSU researchers predicted that higher income among retirees would lead to statewide economic benefits from higher consumption spending and decreased reliance on public resources.

“We found that many Oregonians who work for smaller firms don’t have access to retirement plans at work and aren’t saving as much as they need to be for retirement,” said Tom Potiowsky, director of the Northwest Economic Research Center. “Our research estimates that over 400,000 Oregonians could participate in a state-sponsored retirement plan if it were offered. We also found that participation in this kind of plan would be make a real difference for Oregon’s future retirees – providing them with thousands more in annual retirement income from retirement savings programs.”

Lack of sufficient retirement savings is rapidly becoming a major economic emergency that threatens to Oregon’s economy. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, 45% of Americans have no savings for retirement, putting their economic security at risk. Having access to a retirement plan at work helps people save for retirement, but only 43% of firms in Oregon offer retirement plans to employees.

In order to promote retirement savings in Oregon, the state legislature is considering legislation that would create a state-sponsored payroll-deduction retirement savings plan that would be made available to workers who are not otherwise offered one by their employers.

For more information about the report, please contact Tom Potiowsky, Director of NERC and Chair of the Department of Economics at Portland State University, at 503.725.2288 or potiowskyt@pdx.edu.

A PDF version of Retirement Security in Oregon is available online: http://www.pdx.edu/nerc/sites/www.pdx.edu.nerc/files/Retirement%20Security%20Final%20Report.pdf

Economic impacts of a state-sponsored retirement plan

NERC researchers estimated that over 400,000 of the state’s workers could be expected to participate in a state-sponsored retirement savings plan. If those new plan enrollees earn returns that are comparable to those received by current retirees, their combined income from these plans would exceed $2 billion dollars per year.

Benefits to Oregonians would be widespread. For the bottom 25 percent of income-earners, four times as many people would be expected participate in savings programs. The top 25 percent of income-earners who start saving could receive an average of $29,785 in additional annual retirement income.

The study found clear disparities in opportunities for retirement savings between people of different income levels, sex, races and ethnicities, in Oregon. A state-sponsored retirement savings plan would eliminate disparities in access, and thereby reduce disparities in saving opportunities.

Small businesses may benefit the most from a state-sponsored retirement plan

NERC researchers found that retirement plan access and participation varies significantly based on the size of a business. Employees of larger firms are more likely to have access to plans, and more likely to participate in available plans. Many small businesses want to offer retirement plans to their employees, but don’t an HR department to manage and administer a plan.

The result is a major disparity between workers: 63-68% of employees at firms with 500 employees or more are participating in retirement plans while only 11% of employees at firms with 11 or fewer employees participate in a plan.

A state-sponsored plan would make it easy for small business owners to offer retirement plans to their employees – they would only need to add a line item to the monthly pay stub.

About NERC

The Northwest Economic Research Center is based at Portland State University in the College of Urban and Public Affairs. The Center focuses on economic research that supports public-policy decision-making, and relates to issues important to Oregon and the Portland Metropolitan Area. NERC serves the public, nonprofit, and private sector community with high quality, unbiased, and credible economic analysis.

About the Report Authors

Dr. Tom Potiowsky is the Director of NERC, and also serves as the Chair of the Department of Economics at Portland State University. Dr. Jenny H. Liu is NERC’s Assistant Director and Assistant Professor in the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning. The report was researched and written by Jeff Renfro, NERC Senior Economist. Research support was provided by Marisol Cáceres and Peter Husleman, NERC Research Assistants. This report was completed with assistance and input from Daniel Morris, Our Oregon Research Director, and Jessica Eden, Research Assistant.

University of Oregon Researchers Testify in Salem about Oregon’s Growing Economic Crisis

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

(Salem, Ore.)—Researchers and labor experts from the University of Oregon testified Wednesday before the House Business and Labor Committee, the House Revenue Committee, and the House Human Services and Housing Committee to highlight The High Cost of Low Wages, a report from the University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) and Department of Sociology that details the economic reality for Oregon’s low-wage workers in the post-recession economy.  

The report found that over 400,000 Oregonians – roughly 25 percent of the state’s entire workforce – are employed in low-wage work. Further, about one in 7 Oregon workers receive public assistance.  

In the report, researchers recommend a set of policy solutions that stand to improve economic opportunity for Oregon’s working families while reducing corporate welfare and strengthening the state’s economy. They include: raising the minimum wage; expanding paid sick leave; addressing wage discrimination; expanding childcare assistance programs; and promoting collective bargaining. 

Elected officials are considering a number of bills this session that address Oregon’s broken economy and the financial crisis that low wage, no benefits jobs have created.  They include:

+ Raise the Minimum Wage (SB 610)

+ Paid Sick Days (HB 2005, SB 454)

+ A Secure Way to Save for the Future (HB 2960, SB 615) 

+ A Second Chance for Every Oregonian (HB 3025) 

+ End Profiling (HB 2001, 2002, 2003) 

+ Certain and Regular Work Schedules (SB 888, HB 2010)

+ Wage Discrimination (HB 2006, HB 2007)

+ Childcare Assistance Programs (HB 2015)

A full briefing on these bills can be found here. 

“This research makes it clear that the increased reliance on low-wage, no benefit jobs is dragging down the state’s economy and preventing hundreds of thousands of working Oregonians from having a fair shot at success,” said Andrea Paluso, Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon. “It’s time for our legislative leaders to take action and pass bills that raise the minimum wage, offer paid sick days, and create real economic opportunities for working families."

The report also offers new data on the real costs of public assistance programs that low-wage workers in Oregon must rely on to make ends meet and how taxpayers are supporting a new form of corporate subsidy to the largest companies employing low-wage workers in the state. Each year, taxpayers spend over $1.7 billion to subsidize corporations’ reliance on a low-wage workforce. Large, profitable corporations in retail, fast food, and health care employ the largest share of low-wage workers using public assistance.   

“This report shows how the growth of low wage jobs in Oregon has made it nearly impossible for working adults to afford the basic necessities to take care of their families,” said Raahi Reddy, coordinator of LERC’s Low Wage Economy Initiative. “Low-wage, no-benefit jobs place additional pressure on our social safety net, driving up costs for taxpayers and leaving families struggling just to get by.”

To provide a comprehensive view of what the state’s current economic structure means for working families, researchers examined official government statistics on employment and wages, and compiled extensive data documenting the growth of low-wage work and its effects on low-income workers in Oregon. Sociologist Dr. Ellen Scott also conducted 44 interviews with low-wage working parents. These conversations revealed other challenges Oregon’s low-wage workers face, including cyclical employment, erratic scheduling, difficulty in finding and affording child care, personal health issues, and crises like violence and homelessness. 

Faculty and researchers from the University of Oregon Sociology Department contributed to the report. 

To provide a comprehensive view of what the state’s current economic structure means for working families, researchers examined official government statistics on employment and wages, and compiled extensive data documenting the growth of low-wage work and its effects on low-income workers in Oregon. Sociologist Dr. Ellen Scott also conducted 44 interviews with low-wage working parents. These conversations revealed other challenges Oregon’s low-wage workers face, including cyclical employment, erratic scheduling, difficulty in finding and affording child care, personal health issues, and crises like violence and homelessness. 

Faculty and researchers from the University of Oregon Sociology Department contributed to the report.

A PDF version of The High Cost of Low Wages is available online: http://lerc.uoregon.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2014-Oregon-Workforce-Report-The-High-Cost-of-Low-Wages-in-Oregon.pdf

About LERC

Since being established by the Oregon Legislature in 1977, the Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) at the University of Oregon has made the resources and expertise of the higher education system available to workers, unions, policy makers, and community partners throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. LERC is committed to improving the lives of working Oregonians and enhancing their ability to participate effectively in the workplace and community affairs.