APANO 2019 Legislative Agenda

Asians and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing demographic in Oregon. We are over 250,000 in Oregon, nearly 6% of the state population. Our diverse communities, representing over 100 ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups, have been shaping every facet of life in Oregon since the 1800s while resisting racist and xenophobic attitudes and beliefs, often deeply embedded in our institutions.

This long history of systemic racism and other interconnected forms of oppression have called for a new political vision.

OUR VISION

We envision a just and equitable world where Asians and Pacific Islanders are fully engaged in the social, economic, and political issues that affect us. We advocate, organize, and build political power with our communities because we believe all families deserve the rights, recognition, and resources they need to thrive. That means fighting for community development, education, health equity, race, gender, environmental, and economic justice.

OUR COMMUNITY

We use the collective strength of our members to advance equity through our five key strategies: base-building organizing, cultural work, leadership development, community development, and policy advocacy.

Since 2015, APANO has fought for and won:

• Improvements for English Language Learners (ELL) programs (HB 3499)
• Access to premium health insurance for low-income COFA citizens (HB 4071)
• Ethnic Studies standards (HB 2845)
• Reproductive health care for Oregonians regardless of income, citizenship status, or gender identity (HB 3391)

We will continue to fight for these community issues, and more, during the 2019 Legislative Session.



2019 Legislative Agenda

Paid Family and Medical Leave (FAMLI Equity Act)

During the 2017 Legislative Session, APANO helped expand the definition of “family” for Paid Family and Medical Leave (HB 3087) to ensure that all families are able to access this critical insurance program. APANO continues to support a Paid Family and Medical Leave program in Oregon, because we believe all Oregonians need time to care for our families, no matter where we work or what our families look like.



Stable Homes (SB 608)

Our Asian and Pacific Islander communities are highly concentrated in gentrifying neighborhoods, making them more susceptible to rising rents and cost of living, homelessness, and redevelopment. During the 2017 Legislative Session, APANO was a supporter of HB 2004 and we continue to support just-cause eviction and rent stabilization to ensure our tenant families have a fighting chance to maintain their safety and stability.



Climate Justice

Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Oregon and abroad are among those hardest hit by the impacts of climate change, from deadly heat waves to increased air pollution to climate gentrification. APANO will support climate bills that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable communities from being disproportionately burdened, and create jobs and the funds needed to build a more equitable and renewable economy.



Safe Community Highways Act (HB 2846)

An integral part of a thriving community is safe and accessible streets and sidewalks. Running directly through the Jade District, SE 82nd Ave is one of Portland’s most dangerous roads, covered in potholes and lacking safe pedestrian crossings and street lights. We support the jurisdictional transfer of 82nd Ave from the state to the city in order to ensure safer and more accessible routes for our community members who live in the Jade District.



Equal Access to Roads Act

Approximately, 130,000 undocumented people live in Oregon; 108,000 of which are Latinx and 20,000 are Asians and Pacific Islanders. APANO supports Driver’s Licenses for All because we want to ensure that our undocumented population has the means to take their children to school, to work and their places of worship, and are able to be active members within our communities.





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