1998 Legislative Agenda
[adopted at the 1998
Democratic State Platform Convention in Eugene]
Health Care
1.1 The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) must protect consumer
interests in the vertical integration occurring in the health care industry where
insurers, hospital, and providers are combined into a single entity. Currently, entities
not defined as insurers escape full scrutiny and regulation. This situation lends itself
to potential adverse effects in quality and price due to monopolistic practices in the
health care industry. Therefore we recommend that:
a) Adequate capitalization and reserves be required. b) Consumer complaints be
collected and published. c) Continue consumer scorecard development targeting plan choice,
health conditions and consumer satisfaction. d) Insurers and plans must standardize health
claim forms to promote uniform reporting of patient health status and charges for health
care. e) In order to oversee the foregoing recommendations a majority of consumers shall
be appointed to the Health Insurance Reform Advisory Committee.
1.2 A centralized data repository, protecting patient confidentiality, should be
funded by the State for the purpose of policy research. Funding should be generated by the
insurers and plans.
1.3 The cost of health care packages should be equally tax deductible for both
group and non-group purchases.
1.4 Providers, especially "Gatekeepers," must disclose their financial
incentives to manage health care. Disclosure must be made to each participant in writing
annually, or more frequently in the event of contract change.
1.5 We request that the Legislature memorialize the Congress to not reduce federal
appropriations for Medicare and Medicaid.
1.6 We support full implementation of the Oregon Health Plan to cover all
low-income uninsured and assist in purchasing private health care coverage.
1.7 We oppose any attempts to limit access to a full range of reproductive health
care, including birth control and abortion for all women regardless of age, economic
status or marital status; and we support mandates for insurance coverage of these
necessary health services.
1.8 We support expansion of the Oregon Health Plan to cover more low income
people, especially students attending institutions of higher education and Title V mature
workers in training programs funded under the Federal Older Worker Act, i.e. NCOA Title V
& Green Thumb. Included in this would be the opportunity for students to "buy
into" OHP on a sliding scale.
1.9 Domestic partners and their dependents must be accepted in group health plans
offered by the State of Oregon.
1.10 Direct the Board of Pharmacy to reschedule cannabis (marijuana) to permit
pharmacists to dispense cannabis when prescribed by a physician. We direct the Governor
and State Attorney General not to prosecute doctors, pharmacists, medical staff or
patients for the use, possession or sale of marijuana for these medical purposes.
1.11 The insurance coverage of Mental Health services should receive parity with
other medical conditions because mental illness not only devastates individuals, but it
also costs the U.S. economy $130 billion a year. Minnesota and Maryland have passed Parity
legislation and have not experienced soaring insurance premiums.
1.12 We support a patients right to decide upon their medical treatment or right
to refuse treatment.
1.13 Health insurers or plans eligible to do business in Oregon must cover the
service of any state-licensed health care provider (within their approved scopes of
practice) when referred by a primary care provider.
1.14 We support legislation to ensure that the patient-health care provider
relationship and medical records remain confidential and private.
1.15 We urge the State of Oregon to cover the increased costs in the senior meals
programs, thereby avoiding cuts in meals being served to low-income Oregonians.
1.16 We urge the legislature to fund the following two (2) programs: 1) create a
program similar to Oregon Project Independence to assist low-income people with
disabilities, and 2) expand meals on wheels to serve low-income people with disabilities.
1.18 We support health education (cardiac rehabilitation and diabetic education
plus other educational needs of acute and chronic disease conditions) be included for
payment by providers of health insurance in the State of Oregon.
1.19 We support expansion of the Oregon Health Plan to include all eligible
persons living in Oregon, especially those with no income, in particular; the homeless,
children and persons incapable of earning an income.
1.20 Health care outcome guidelines for health care organizations need to be
developed which require the organizations to serve the public first. We propose that a
collection of "working guidelines" from other states and groups be made and
studied to help us create our own guidelines in the near future.
1.21 The Health Insurance Reform Advisory Committee, now under to Department of
Consumer and Business Affairs should become a separate commission appointed by the
Governor.
1.22 Funding for home health care, community mental health care and services for
the mentally ill homeless, must be increased to keep pace with the demand, which has been
made worse by de-institutionalization and down-sizing of psychiatric hospitals.
1.23 Under the Oregon Health Plan the only consideration in prescribing a
psychotropic medication should be what is most effective for the condition diagnosed.
1.24 Funding should be allocated to the Governor�s Commission on Senior Services
so that it can take the lead in educating seniors and the adult population generally about
the need to take steps beyond the purchase of Medicare Supplement insurance in order to
protect quality of life, independence, and financial assets from the costly needs that
half of our seniors will have for long term nursing home care, home care, and assisted
living.
1.25 A truth in advertising disclosure statute is needed so that senior citizens
purchasing Medicare Supplement insurance understand that it does not cover most long term
care nursing home and home care costs, nor any assisted living, residential care, or adult
foster care costs and other drugs, treatments and services.
1.26 State income tax credits should be provided for persons purchasing and
maintaining comprehensive long term care insurance policies, reducing the burden of
Medicaid.
1.27 The legislature should provide less severe Medicaid asset spend-down
requirements for persons who take the responsibility of purchasing and maintaining
comprehensive long term care insurance policies, reducing the burden on Medicaid.
1.28 A coordinated payroll deduction process should be established for state and
other public employees, and state and other public retirees, for the purchase and
maintaining of comprehensive long term care insurance policies.
1.29 The Senior and Disabled Services Division should be directed to study the
feasibility of Medicaid savings through Medicaid purchase of comprehensive long term care
insurance for persons for whom Medicaid already pays Part A deductibles and Part B
premiums.
Tax Policy
2.1 We support the repeal of the "kicker" laws. A) Cap the corporate
kicker at the individual kicker percentage rate. B) Place the kicker into a "rainy
day" reserve fund.
2.2 We support the re-adjustment of income tax brackets to lessen the impact on
low and middle income Oregonians.
2.3 We support the re-establishment of homeowners and renters property tax relief.
2.4 Review of methods to determine equitable financing to assure excellence in
public education and review effect of local option.
2.5 We urge support of the credit union act (HR1151).
2.6 We oppose measures which restrict the ability of our legislators to adopt
legislation relating to raising revenue for state programs.
2.7 We oppose the taxation of unemployment insurance benefits as well as the
taxation of graduate student tuition waivers.
2.8 Oregon tax policy should eliminate the need for the dependence of the lottery.
2.9 We support highway taxes which result in heavy vehicles paying their share of
taxes on a weight/mileage system.
2.10 We support when real property changes ownership that its value be adjusted to
reflect current market value for future tax liability.
2.11 We support the requirement that any ballot measure that would require funding
to be implemented have the funding mechanism included in the ballot measure.
We support an expanded earned income tax credit for low income Oregonians.
Election Laws
3.1 Establish non-partisan judicial commission to review constitutionality of
proposed initiative language prior to submission to Secretary of State. Commission members
must be members of the Oregon State Bar and may be appointed by both the Governor and the
Legislature. No current judge or justice in Oregon may serve on Commission.
3.2 Allow Election Day registration of voters with suitable provisions to guard
against voter fraud.
3.3 Require the name of all independent expenditure committees to contain the
names of those individuals responsible for material or paid advertisements.
3.4 Require that persons picking up vote by-mail and absentee ballots from other
persons turn in the ballots to an election office or drop off point by 5:00 p.m. the
following business day and make it a crime to interfere with or delay the delivery of a
mail ballot.
3.5 Forces all signature gathers to be registered Oregon voters and establishes
that paid petitioners be paid by the hour for each petition they carry. Requires licensing
of businesses and individuals that hire paid signature gathers.
3.6 Double the current percentage of signatures required on petitions for
constitutional amendments.
3.8 Requires contribution and expenditure report to be filed in vote-by-mail
elections. due two business days before the ballots are mailed.
Require the Secretary of State to set a specific day that county clerks must mail
vote-by-mail ballots.
3.10 Repeal the Federal Hatch Act restrictions on off-duty political activity.
3.11 Repeal term limits for Legislative offices.
3.12 Eliminate all double majority requirement for ballot measures.
3.13 Require the Secretary of State to draw up a uniform file format for all
county voter files.
3.14 Provide civil penalties for voting illegally, in addition to existing
criminal penalties.
3.15 Enact public funding of state and federal elections campaign.
Raise the political tax credit to $100 per individual. Extend the tax refund for
political contributions to all individuals regardless of tax filing status.
Requires the Secretary of State to design and produce computer software for filing
the required C& E reports. Such software to be made available to political committees
at cost of production.
Requires disclosure of contributions to initiative campaigns while signatures are
being gathered on petitions.
Protect the initiative process by making it illegal to offer pay, provide money or
other valuable consideration for signing or not signing a petition.
Require Legislative Assembly to provide the necessary computer technology to
Legislators to assist them in meeting constituent needs.
3.22 We oppose any ballot measure or legislative act that inhibits workers rights
to a collective political voice.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Support legislation to develop a formula based on actual costs to determine a
uniformly applied State of Oregon standard for a rate of pay for a family wage job.
Support increased funding for Job Councils and other public/private partnerships
for career training and retraining, especially for the most economically disadvantaged.
Support restructuring of tax load whereby small and start-up businesses gain the
tax relief now provided to large corporations and require large corporations to carry more
of the tax load.
Direct OEDD and regional economic development organizations to develop diversified
opportunities in Oregon�s rural communities.
While recruiting or assisting business expansion, priority should be given to
firms which pay family wage jobs and benefits.
Support creation of economic opportunities in ecological restorations.
Direct public agencies to donate working used computers and software to non-profit
organizations to be distributed to students in need and encourage the private sector
through a publicity campaign to do the same.
Reduce required deposit from $500 to $250 for coverage of first employee under
workers� compensation. Encourage established businesses to mentor African-American and
other minority entrepreneurs to help promote economic success and development to
disadvantaged businesses.
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
We support "Community Right to Know" legislation to allow Oregonians to
know what toxic chemicals are used and released in their communities.
We support expansion of the bottle bill to require a deposit on all beverage
containers.
We support legislation repealing the Mining Act of 1872, which established leasing
rights and fees. We further support legislation which will establish usage and fees based
on the current market value and existing environmental laws.
We support legislation and funding for long-range land use, public facility and
natural resource planning.
We support legislation and funding for watershed enhancement projects throughout
the state of Oregon, and government funding of the Governor�s Water Enhancement Board.
We support a stable source of funding revenue for the Department of Fish and
Wildlife.
5.7 We support Oregon�s historic policy of public access to all ocean beaches.
5.8 Support legislation which will encourage and provide incentives for
sustainable grazing practices on public and private lands.
5.9 We support diversity of representation on state natural resource boards.
5.10 We support adequate funding for the maintenance and expansion of the state
and local park systems.
5.11 We support legislation and policies which facilitate the ecological
restoration necessary to recover salmon, steelhead and anadromous fish.
5.12 Support legislation to codify Executive Order 97-16, establishing the
"Environmental Justice Advisory Board."
5.13 We support legislation supporting citizens in their rights to appeal proposed
developments.
5.14 Restore requirements to evaluate impact on schools and community services in
approving new development.
5.15 We support retention of federal ownership of public lands.
Support conservation easements to provide tax incentives.
5.17 Oppose re-introduction of salvage logging rider legislation by the United
States Congress.
EDUCATION
6.1 We support the state adopting a flat grant policy that provides equal funding
for students attending public or private colleges and universities. Current policy favors
private institutions.
6.2 We support repealing the "corporate kicker law," and giving the
revenue to all levels of education.
We support increased funding for community college and vocational education that
allows Oregonians to receive the training or re-training necessary to enter or re-enter
the work force as the best trained citizenry in the nation and the world.
We support the rights of students to determine the use of student fees through a
democratic process, and oppose any attempt to restrict student recommending power of the
building or incidental fee.
We support the return of local control to schools by allowing local school
districts to raise local taxes to enhance education opportunities not funded by the State
equitable funding formula.
We support legislation to bring the Oregon tax code into congruence with federal
tax regulation regarding the tuition tax credit.
6.8 We oppose vouchers, private charter schools, and other efforts to finance
private education with public funds
6.9 We support increased funding for all levels of education.
6.10 The state should pursue a strategy of reducing dependence on the lottery for
education funding.
6.12 We support a teacher-student ratio that maximizes learning. We support
additional state funding to reduce all class sizes, and specifically reduce class size in
grades K-3 to no more than 20 students.
6.13 We support the elimination of the double majority requirement for education
funding ballot measures.
6.14 We support funding technology in institutions of public education for K-12
through higher education. We support electronic networking all institutions of learning
together.
6.15 We support funding for equitable compensation for part-time and full-time
educators in Oregon�s community colleges and throughout the educational system
6.16 We support the reinstatement and/or retention of funding for art and music
education in public schools.
6.17 We support Executive Order 12999 that gives school districts computer systems
and software whenever federal computer systems are upgraded, and encourage all Oregon
public and private institutions to do the same.
6.18 We support an increase in faculty teacher salaries for Oregon University
System employees with the goal of being no less than 25th in the nation in funding
salaries.
6.19 We support "just cause" policy language within all education
districts and college collective bargaining agreements.
6.20 We support funding for a loan repayment assistance program for graduates of
Oregon institutions of higher education who remain in Oregon and dedicate themselves to
community service/public interest employment.
6.21 We oppose the attempts to tax tuition waivers, stipends, graduate teaching
assistantships and fellowships.
6.22 We support the Oregon University System and oppose any attempt to dissolve
it.
6.23 We support fully funding the Oregon Need Grant.
6.24 We support the reauthorization of the Federal Higher Education Act of 1965
and within that act support a redistribution from loan programs to grants.
6.25 We support increasing the required school year from 9 months to 12 months for
all children assigned to the criminal justice system of the state and the counties, and
support increased funding to the appropriate agency.
TRANSPORTATION
Support local action to qualify for maximum federal dollars for alternative
transportation projects.
Oppose triple trailer trucks.
Increase vehicle registration fees to fund transportation projects.
Increase alternative transportation safety information in drivers education.
Support the Cascade Rail Corridor - Fund railbed improvements.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
8.1 Work with all employers to develop family friendly policies aimed at the
implementation of work practices such as flextime and telecommuting to support the needs
of families.
8.2 The State should strongly encourage citizen responsibility to their community
throughout their lives through support and volunteerism with organizations. To this end
the State Department of Education should develop standards and benchmarks addressing
awareness and participation in community and government processes which include service to
the local community.
8.3 To assure adequate training and compensation to caregivers in community based
settings and nursing facilities.
8.4 We support the development of incentives to encourage the building and
expansion of low income, accessible and integrated housing.
8.5 We support legislation that entitles higher education and training to be
counted toward the Welfare "Work Requirement".
8.6 Increase funding to State Housing and Community Development Programs to assure
affordable housing to all Oregonians in need of such assistance.
8.7 We insist on the development, expansion and funding of a full range of
supportive services for Oregon�s vulnerable populations.
8.8 Provide tax benefits to family caregivers who provide un-reimbursed care.
8.9 To assure that low income housing is developed in areas that are accessible to
community services.
We support the Oregon Department of Human Resources� efforts to implement the
Employment Initiative.
FOREIGN POLICY
9.1 We back fully the establishment of a Permanent International Criminal Court as
called for in the Kennedy-Leach Resolution, HCR 89, cosponsored by Oregon Democratic
Congresspersons Furse, Blumenauer, and DeFazio.
9.2 The U.S. Senate should ratify the International Convention on the rights of
the Child.
9.3 The U.S. Senate should ratify CEDAW, the Convention on the rights of Women
against all forms of Discrimination.
9.4 We ask the President and Congress to make it their priority to immediately pay
all of the amount owing on our treaty obligated dues to both the United Nations budget and
the UN peacekeeping budget so that the continuation of the organization and its
peacekeeping activities will not be in jeopardy.
9.5 Our government should continue its own nuclear test ban, including
sub-critical test. It should make an early completion of a permanent nuclear test ban
treaty a priority, and seek to eliminate all nuclear weapons worldwide.
9.6 Our government should work to eliminate the use of land mines.
9.7 The U.S. Senate should ratify and should fully support the Law of the Sea
Treaty.
9.8 Because of the threat to all forms of life by the explosion of the human
population, we oppose the restriction of funds for family planning.
The United States should join with other nations to reduce air pollution to 1990
levels.
9.10 The State of Oregon should encourage and support expanded trade and cultural
ties with Pacific Rim nations.
9.11 The U.S. should increase its economic and humanitarian foreign assistance.
9.12 The U.S. should continue to work for full implementation of the Dayton
Accords on the former Yugoslavia, including the arrest and trial of those indicted for war
crimes, and should support continuation of the NATO-led mission to Bosnia without a
predetermined time limit.
9.13 The U.S. should continue to work closely with allies and international
organizations to monitor developments in Kosovo and Macedonia with the goal of preventing
the outbreak of war and genocide, and to respond appropriately to violence by any means
necessary.
9.14 We oppose the corporate practice of exploiting and violating the rights of
workers in foreign countries and in the U.S.; we urge the federal government to locate,
investigate, and penalize U.S. companies that engage in the inhumane practice.
RIGHTS OF WORKERS
10.1 We support public Employee Collective Bargaining including: a) Expanding the
scope of what is bargainable to level the playing field between workers and their
employers. b) Requiring staffing and workload levels to be mandatory items of bargaining.
Contract protection, prohibiting the use of the initiative process to bypass or impede
negotiated contracts.
10.2 We support the constitutional right of all employees to have voluntary
politicaldeductions through voluntary payroll check off.
10.3 We support on-going efforts to assist organizing of independent unions in
foreign countries.
10.4 We support the right of agricultural workers to organize without penalty from
the employer.
10.5 We believe in the principle of equal pay for equal work of comparable worth,
and oppose job discrimination based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status,
political activity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.
a) We believe that equal remedies should be available to all victims of employment
discrimination. We support immigration policies that prevent exploitation of the foreign
born. We oppose current or future guest worker legislation.
10.6 We oppose any effort through ballot measures or legislative proposals that
privatize public services without a competitive bidding process.
10.7 We reaffirm our support for prevailing-wage (Davis-Bacon) laws.
10.8 Right to Organize a) We support the rigorous enforcement of laws which make
it illegal for any business to require its employees to forfeit their right to organize to
collectively bargain. We recommend severe economic penalties be imposed upon violators of
these laws. b) We support reforming Oregon and national Labor relations law to implement
card-check recognition, and binding first Contract negotiation through a neutral
third-party arbitrator.
10.9 We support coverage of all migrant and seasonal agricultural employees under
Oregon's minimum wage law.
10.10 We support equitable compensation, benefits, job security opportunities, and
the right to collective bargaining representation for temporary and part-time workers. We
oppose the trend to increasing reliance on temporary and part-time workers in public and
private employment.
10.11 We oppose the elimination or reduction of the Bureau of Labor and
Industries.
10.12 We support modification of Oregon�s Worker Compensation Laws to calculate
workers benefits on an individual�s total earned income.
10.13 We support extending unemployment insurance coverage to agricultural workers
identical to that enjoyed by non-agricultural workers.
10.14 We believe in fair international trade practices and we do not desire to
make other nations into sweatshops for U.S. of A consumers. We support trade sanctions,
the withholding of "most favored nation status" and tariffs on the products from
those trading partners that exploit child labor or engage in human rights violations.
10.15 We support protection of all children, nationally and globally, against
exploitation in the workplace.
10.16 We believe unions should continue to have the right to assess non-member
workers for the cost of representation directly benefiting them.
10.17 We believe in preventing employers from hiring replacement workers during a
strike.
10.18 We support a Workplace Privacy Policy that enacts rigorous standards to
prevent the invasion of privacy in the workplace including, but not limited to, safeguards
on the use of psychological, genetic, or bodily fluid testing, computer monitoring,
electronic surveillance, physical and electronic mail monitoring, telephone eavesdropping,
and investigative consumer credit reports.
10.19 We support injured workers' rights to seek adequate compensation and support
for on-the-job injuries or occupational disease through two options: a) The judicial and
jury system, b) Workers' Compensation Law.
10.20 We support protection of Social Security. We support President Clinton�s
proposal to direct budget surpluses to save Social Security first and we oppose the use of
SSA funds for any other than authorized Social Security Programs. We oppose any effort to
privatize Social Security.
10.21 We support the enactment of "living wage laws and ordinances"
which includes "living wages and benefits" and the neutrality of the contractor
or owner in any attempt to organize their employees.
10.22 We support labor representation on public boards and commissions.
10.23 Responsible Corporate Tax Breaks should include policy that corporations
that receive tax breaks or other public subsidies pay at least a "family wage"
including benefits.
10.24 Strengthen criminal penalty provision of the Oregon Safe Employment Act, to
include criminal penalties for employers whose violation of health and safety standards
results in death or injury of a worker.
10.25 We support the Federal Wage Security Fund to provide for the creation and
funding of a federal wage security fund modeled on Oregon's Wage Security Fund.
10.26 We support prohibiting employers from denying compensation that is due to a
worker who has been detained or deported.
10.27 We oppose attempts to increase minimum age requirements for eligibility of
retirement benefits.
HUMAN RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Anti-Discrimination and Equal Treatment Constitutional Amendment. No governmental
or other public or private entity in Oregon shall discriminate or enact legislation or
establish rules which would result in discrimination or unequal protection on the basis of
age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, political activity, race, religion,
sexual orientation, occupation, union activities, or social status.
Non-Discrimination in Employment and Public Accommodations. It must be made
illegal to discriminate in employment or public accommodations on the basis of sexual
orientation.
Non-Discrimination in insurance. Outlaw discrimination in price or availability of
insurance based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, political activity,
race, religion, crime victim status, or sexual orientation. The pricing of life or auto
insurance may, however, be based on age.
Enforce restraining orders more stringently. Restraining orders must be promptly,
issued when justified. 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.
We advocate legislation to require independent citizen review boards for those
government entities that provide law enforcement services.
We oppose the OCA or any other ballot measure which would define and limit the
concept of "family".
We oppose the OCA petition or any measure which bans or limits abortions.
Adds "bodily fluids" to crime of assault against a corrections or law
enforcement employee.
We support the repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing requirements.
11.10 We propose statewide legislation banning local blanket anti-camping
ordinances which criminalize the homeless for harmless activity such as eating and
sleeping.
