In its 8th year, Oregon’s economic justice coalition calls for continued investments to address historic inequities, build resilience, and foster long-term opportunity for Oregonians
SALEM, Ore.—Governor Kotek unveiled a proposed budget Tuesday that outlined key investments for the State of Oregon to make housing more affordable, reduce and prevent homelessness, improve access to mental health and addiction services, increase access to local child care, and improve educational outcomes in K-12 schools.
Fair Shot for Oregon Executive Director Heather Stuart issued the following statement reacting to the budget on behalf of the coalition:
Governor Kotek has hit the ground running with a bold budget that addresses our state’s biggest challenges and begins to move Oregon forward. Investments in housing, children, and behavioral health are essential in this moment – but more must be done this session to address long standing inequities and advance racial, gender, and economic justice.
As Governor Kotek and the legislature construct the state budget, the Fair Shot for All coalition will advocate for a number of fiscal priorities in addition to specific bills:
Reproductive & Gender Justice: With the fall of Roe, action is needed to protect and expand reproductive freedom, and continue our work to dismantle barriers to abortion and gender-affirming care that existed long before the Supreme Court decision came down.
In Defense of Humanity: Oregonians with low incomes are being denied their constitutional right to representation every day, deepening systemic racism and classism in our state. We are now decades behind in adequately funding our public defense system. Fixing and investing in public defense is a major step towards justice.
Indigenous Language Justice: Oregon must ensure that services are accessible and understandable for all communities, especially for people whose cultures have been subjected to colonization, oppression, and erasure. Without guaranteed access to interpretation services for all in the moments we may need them most, we risk denying Oregonians who speak Indigenous languages access to potentially life-saving services.
Stable Homes for Oregon Families: Landlords are issuing an unprecedented level of eviction filings and tenants are reporting some of the highest rent increases that state has seen in years. As Oregon leaders push to increase housing supplies and reduce homelessness, they must also pass reasonable eviction and rent reforms so that more people don’t lose their homes.
Our communities have seen decades of disinvestment that have perpetuated and amplified the impacts of systemic racism. Further cuts this session would only exacerbate these continuing challenges. In order to respond to the state’s most urgent needs, our elected leaders must adopt a community-centered approach to policy making and focus on Oregonians who have been left behind. The funding that Oregon’s future depends on shouldn’t be tied to outdated fiscal policies that continue to tip the scales in favor of the status quo. When we prioritize the needs of those most vulnerable in our communities, our state becomes a better place to live for all of us. We must continue to explore ways to generate the revenue needed to create economic opportunities for all families in Oregon.
###
About Fair Shot for All
Since its launch in 2014, Fair Shot for All has been committed to taking on discrimination and inequality through policy, organizing, and action. The coalition’s work is centered on ideas and input from those who bear the burden of Oregon’s broken systems, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC); women; immigrants; and/or LGBTQ+. Last year, Fair Shot for All introduced The People’s Budget to provide a clear fiscal framework for policymakers that is rooted in gender, racial, and economic justice. Fair Shot for All will continue to work with the legislature to uplift the need for investments in our communities this session. In addition, the coalition’s 2023 Fair Shot Agenda includes four priority issue areas to create a stronger future for all Oregonians.