Legislative Principles

1. Many of our basic rights and freedoms are threatened and, in fact, have been eroded. We expect government to respect and protect the rights guaranteed by the Oregon and U.S. Constitutions and the U.S. Bill of Rights
2. Given the vast range of diversity among people in a multi-cultural world, we commit to understanding and embracing human differences. We support the non-discrimination and equal treatment of all peoples within the United States.
3. We support the constitutional separation of church and state, and reaffirm the critical value of religious freedom.
4. We recognize and honor the sovereignty and treaty rights of the Native American nations.
5. Priority must be given to preventing the conditions that lead to crime or otherwise threaten public safety. While all people have basic needs for a sense of safety and security, government must balance these needs with protecting personal freedoms.
6. Reproductive self-determination is a basic human right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Action Items

1. Many of our basic rights and freedoms are threatened and, in fact, have been eroded. We expect government to respect and protect the rights guaranteed by the Oregon and U.S. Constitutions and the U.S. Bill of Rights.
   
   1. We specifically reject trials of civilians by military tribunal and deplore all unconstitutional detention and invasion of privacy authorized by congressional, executive, and quasi-judicial action.
   2. We oppose the weakening of Miranda warning rights.
   3. We support the elimination of the USA PATRIOT Acts I and II.
   4. We reaffirm Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act.
2. Given the vast range of diversity among people in a multi-cultural world, we commit to understanding and embracing human differences. We support the non-discrimination and equal treatment of all peoples within the United States.
   
   1. We support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). It must be made illegal to discriminate in employment or public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation.
   2. Ban discrimination in price, availability, or payouts of insurance. We support mental health and contraceptive parity.
   3. There shall be no discrimination based upon factors including, but not limited to, age, disability, national origin, gender identity, marital status, political activity, race, religion, crime victim status, sexual orientation, geographic area, or economic status.
   4. We support broad and inclusive definitions of family and parent.
   5. We support marriage equality
   6. The state must enforce the provisions of federal and state equal opportunities laws.
   7. We insist all children be granted resources required to ensure their welfare, education and protection.
3. We support the constitutional separation of church and state, and reaffirm the critical value of religious freedom.
4. We recognize and honor the sovereignty and treaty rights of the Native American nations.
   
   1. Our state shall work cooperatively with Tribal officials to protect the cultural resources and religious practices of Oregon Tribes and their members, except for killing of a sentient being.
5. Priority must be given to preventing the conditions that lead to crime or otherwise threaten public safety. While all people have basic needs for a sense of safety and security, government must balance these needs with protecting personal freedoms.
   
   1. We support community-based rehabilitation, alternatives to incarceration, rehabilitative incarceration, and restorative justice.
   2. We support the repeal or restructuring of Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentencing requirements, and a return to judicial discretion. We support development of an "earned time" incentive system within the Oregon State Department of Corrections.
   3. We support replacing our death penalty statues with a true "life imprisonment without possibility of parole."
   4. We advocate legislation to require independent citizen review boards for those government entitiesthat provide law enforcement services.
   5. We support effective firearm regulation. We advocate background checks for all firearm purchases,including gun shows, and mandatory child-safety devices. We support the renewal of the AssaultWeapons Ban legislation.
   6. We support increased attention to parenting education and other resources for the families ofincarcerated inmates in order to interrupt the cycle of generational criminals.
   7. We support legislation that will improve access to representation for all in the civil and criminaljustice systems.
   8. Stringently enforce restraining orders. Restraining orders must be promptly issued, recorded and enforced. Alleged potential or actual violations must be promptly responded to, investigated, and resolved. Penalties for violation of such orders must be stringently and equitably enforced.
6. Reproductive self-determination is a basic human right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
   
   1. We oppose any measure that bans or limits access to abortions.