Our 2022 Legislative Agenda

Nearly 1 in 5 Oregonians sought food assistance in 2020 and 2021 — a dramatic increase in the pandemic’s wake.

The public health and economic crisis created by COVID-19 has taught us what it takes to meet today’s challenges head-on. Through meaningful public policies and investments that include everyone, we can ensure all our communities emerge stronger. Over the course of this brief legislative session, we hope to make progress in three key areas that are critical to our shared work to end hunger for good.

Support Our Agenda

Equal Opportunity to Thrive

We believe in an Oregon where everyone is welcome and has the opportunity to thrive. Yet immigrants and refugees in our communities face a host of systemic challenges, including double the rate of food insecurity as people born inside the United States. Advancing immigrant justice is key to ending hunger and fostering a stronger, more resilient food system.

• Farmworker Overtime: Our food system is anchored by nearly 175,000 essential migrant and seasonal workers who are among the lowest paid in Oregon — and many face food insecurity as a result. Oregon must join states across the country and include agricultural workers in overtime protections and pay.

• Universal Legal Representation (SB 1543): All Oregonians should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of where we are born. Access to legal counsel is a fundamental step to ensuring everyone is treated fairly under the law.

• Oregon Worker Relief Fund: We must maintain investments in this vital resource for essential workers who have been hit hard by the pandemic, yet are ineligible for Unemployment Insurance and other forms of relief.

Stable Homes for Oregonians

Everyone deserves a safe, healthy place to call home. We face a crisis of affordable housing in every corner of the state, made worse by the economic impacts of the pandemic. Continued action is needed to keep Oregonians in our homes — whether rented or owned

• Eviction & Foreclosure Prevention: Families across the state continue to face loss of income and stability due to the pandemic — and many remain at risk of losing our homes. We must ensure continued access to critical housing protections and financial support.

• Right to Cooling (SB 1536): Record high temperatures have endangered the health of too many Oregonians in recent years. Everyone should have the right to access and install cooling units to keep us safe and well.

Safe Communities for All

We all should feel secure in our homes and neighborhoods. Feeling safe is foundational to every family’s ability to earn an income and thrive — and we need equitable, accountable systems that help ensure safety for everyone in our communities.

• Transforming Justice (SB 1510): When people with lived experience are in the lead, we can build a public safety system that works for all of us. These reforms will provide help to people experiencing houselessness, ensure greater mental health support across the state, prioritizes rehabilitation and invest in restorative justice.

Support our anti-hunger agenda by signing our petition!

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