What Democrats support: A message from our state chair

Hello Oregon Democrats,
  As many of you know, last weekend we held our biennial Platform Convention.   Over 500 Oregonians from  31 counties participated -- that's record breaking turnout for the DPO! 
 I wanted to update you on the next steps to finalizing our platform:  We are currently in the editing process and delegates are voting for the final list of legislative priorities.  While we await those results on a specific legislative agenda, I want to communicate what I learned this weekend.
  Since I became Chair a year ago, again and again I have gotten the question:  What do Oregon Democrats stand for? 
  Well, after months of input and collaboration, I can now confidently say -- 
Oregon Democrats support:

• Labor unions and the right to organize 
• A strong response to the threat of climate change
• Comprehensive and humane immigration policies
• Gun safety measures
• Public education and the revenue reform Oregon needs to pay for it
• Access to the Future:  training for the jobs of the future, access to the internet for all, and protection for Social Security and pension funds
• Clean air and water
• Enforcement of our obligations towards tribes
• Campaign finance reform 
• Health Care for all
• Civil rights for all -- from voting rights to strong protections for those living with disabilities 
• Criminal Justice reform

  And finally

• We believe that science should guide our policy decisions
• That people count more than corporations
• And that the whole of Oregon must be included as we work for a more prosperous state.

  I deeply appreciate the staff team and the officers that ran this weekend's Convention. It started on time, ended on time, and respectful discussion triumphed over dissonance.
 We are just 55 days away from the 2018 Primary Election, after which you will see the Party’s campaign efforts kick into even higher gear.  Democrats will be active in every county, promoting the Democratic ballot from top to bottom, and getting voters to commit and to vote this November. 
 
Let’s get going!
 
Jeanne Atkins
State Party Chair
Democratic Party of Oregon