At APANO, 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. Through APANO and APANO Communities United Fund (CUF) – our c3 and c4 organizations – we work to bring that vision to life. The 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly convened​ for the 2023 Legislative Session on January 17, presenting an opportunity to make our voices heard to our elected officials.

In community, we identified a number of items up for vote that will address systemic inequities and the disparities they create. Find our priorities for this legislative session below!

We invite you to learn more, get involved, and ensure our elected officials know our community’s wants and needs.

HB 3027, HB 2991, HB 3005, SB 599, HB 2727, HB 2993 

Child Care for Oregon expands access to affordable childcare to more families and strengthens the childcare infrastructure and workforce by:

• Increasing funding to Oregon’s child care assistance program, community navigation programs and early learning programs;
• Removing unnecessary barriers to earning professional credentials for childcare workers and provide incentives and assistance for childcare workers; and
• Providing funding and support to protect and develop childcare facilities.

SB 786

Opportunity to Serve will establish an annual salary for members of the Legislative equal to the average wage for all covered Oregonians. In doing so, it will:

• Improve quality of representation from legislators who can focus on policy-making and constituent relations full-time;
• Remove economic barriers for women and BIPOC and other underrepresented leaders to run for and stay in their legislative seats; and
• Ensure the Legislature reflects the diversity and lived experiences of Oregonians.

SB 610

Food for All Oregonians creates a state-funded program that ensures everyone in Oregon has access to the food we need by:

• Making food assistance available to all Oregonians who are currently excluded due to immigration status;
• Providing families with money for groceries that matches federal SNAP food assistance benefits; and
• Ensuring everyone is aware of this vital support through community navigation and outreach, improved language access and more.

SB 611, SB 799

Stable Homes for Oregon Families seeks to stabilize rent increases and prevent homelessness by:

• Reforming the eviction process to avoid preventable homelessness and suffering, using the lessons learned during the pandemic;
• Stabilizing our families and economy by ensuring rents do not rise more than a reasonable amount annually, statewide;
• Collecting more accurate data about Oregon’s housing market through a rental registration program; and
• Funding effective rent assistance and navigation programs across the state including community-based and culturally specific programs.

LC 2828

Campaign Finance Reform levels the election playing field by:

• Building a democracy that works for all of us, where everyone has an equal voice and our elected officials answer to us, their constituents;
• Empowering small-dollar donors to make an impact in campaigns;
• Removing financial barriers that stop everyday people from running for office; and
• Holding elected officials and wealthy special interests accountable to voters.