BerniePDX Nov. 2020 Endorsements – Round 1

We are thrilled to announce that BerniePDX members voted to endorse Measure 26-214: Universal Preschool NowChris Smith for MetroMeasure 107: Fair & Honest Elections, and Measure 110: The Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Actfor the Nov. 2020 election! Scroll down to learn why. Thanks to everyone who voted!

We’ll be sending a second endorsement poll with even more Nov. 2020 races in the coming weeks, so stay tuned! 

BerniePDX voted to endorse the ballot measure for Universal Preschool in Multnomah County (UP NOW)! Early childhood education is so important. It has been shown to increase graduation rates, reduce incarceration, and lower unemployment. Unfortunately, preschool is cost prohibitive for many families.

UP NOW will create high-quality preschool for children in Multnomah County by instituting a small tax on the top 5% of income earners. Universal preschool will benefit our children and our community as a whole. It’s time for us to join cities like DC, NYC, and Chicago and provide universal preschool to our kids!

BerniePDX voted to endorse Chris Smith for Metro District 5! Chris is a longtime climate and transportation activist whose work includes organizing the “No More Freeways” campaign. Chris plans to address equity issues in transportation, particularly in East County. He will use his decade of experience on the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission to make Metro more effective in providing affordable housing and services. Chris is a proud supporter of Black Lives Matter and also supported the call by Unite Oregon and PAALF to reduce the Portland Police Budget by $50 million. We need Chris Smith on Metro!

Learn more and get involved at chrisformetro.com

BerniePDX voted to endorse Measure 107: Fair & Honest Elections! Measure 107 will amend the Oregon constitution so that we can enact laws to:

  • Require the disclosure of political contributions and spending;
  • Limit campaign contributions and spending;
  • Require that political ads disclose who paid for them. 

Politicians in Oregon receive more corporate contributions per capita than those in any other state. Measure 107 will help pave the way toward ending this practice! 

Learn more and get involved at fairandhonestelections.org/

BerniePDX voted to endorse Measure 110: the Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Act! Measure 110 will provide drug and alcohol treatment to anyone who wants it, regardless of their insurance. It will also eliminate criminal penalties for small amounts of personal possession of drugs. This measure is an important step toward addressing our racist and unjust drug laws!

Learn more and get involved at voteyeson110.org

Saturday, Aug. 22, 3-3:45pm: Medicare for All in the Time of COVID – Sign Holding Event

Come out for a safe, socially distanced event. Now more than ever, in a pandemic, we need Medicare for All!

Over five million people have lost employment related health coverage due to the pandemic, and including family members affected by this loss, about 27 million people have lost access to care. Health care coverage should not be dependent on employment or economic status.

We will be part of a national Medicare for All Day of Action organized by National Nurses United. Bring signs, wear your masks, and stay 6 feet apart at all times! Health Care is a Human Right!

  • 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm on Saturday, Aug. 22
  • We will spread out around the periphery of the Square
  • Stay safe: wear a mask, bring signs, and stay 6 feet apart from anyone not in your household.

Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW 6th between Yamhill & Morrison

Learn About Measure 110: The Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Act

Join BerniePDX on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7:30pm, to learn about IP 44: The Drug Addiction Treatment & Recovery Act, which will be on the ballot in November! Bring your questions to this virtual event!

–> RSVP here to get the Zoom link: http://tiny.cc/r3hmsz

M110 would remove criminal penalties for small amounts of personal possession of drugs and connect people with drug treatment and recovery services. Using funds from Oregon’s existing marijuana tax, M110 will greatly expand access to drug treatment and recovery services throughout the state.

There’s a lot more to unpack with this measure – we look forward to seeing you at this virtual event!

Afterward, we’ll email out an endorsement poll so you can vote on whether or not BerniePDX should endorse M110. If you’re not on our email list yet and want to vote, just send your email to info@berniepdx.us.

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Tuesday, Aug. 18
7:30pm
RSVP for the Zoom link: http://tiny.cc/r3hmsz

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/731860510933774/

Good News!

Universal Preschool Now Update:

Last time we wrote about the potential issue of two preschool measures on the Nov. ballot. Here’s a campaign update: “This week, the Universal Preschool NOW coalition of over 30 community groups and unions voted to merge with Preschool for All, a parallel campaign led by County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson. With this merger, we will be able to bring a single measure for universal preschool and fair wages for preschool workers to the November 2020 ballot.” Thanks to everyone who sent a message to the Multnomah County Commissioners in support of UP NOW!