February 2018

ADVOCATE

“Catholics need to act in support of (Catholic Church) principles and policies in public life. It is the particular vocation of the laity to transform the world. We have to encourage this vocation and do more to bring all believers to this mission.” (USCCB; Catholics in Political Life)
In addressing the plight of those around us, we are truly living out Christ’s message to love and serve all those in need. Our faith calls us to be advocates for justice. As a voice we have power that the voiceless don’t have – we are constituents. We vote. We must speak out on behalf of others. When we advocate for the principles that we, as Catholics, hold dear, persistence is necessary to realize success. 

Please call and/or write  Find Legislator to each of your legislators in support of passing SB1507 or HB4001 THIS SHORT SESSION. Because the legislation establishes a joint task force on climate in both chambers, the needed changes we have identified can be made in the future. Climate change is not waiting.  Act NOW to incentivize change to a fossil fuel free economy.  
In solidarity with our allies at the Coalition of Communities of Color, please consider referencing these specific requests for improvements in the bill:

• Decision-making structure that is transparent, equitable, and accountable. Ensure Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) and Environment Justice, equity and Sovereign Nation representatives play significant, meaningful role in development, implementation and oversight of the program, including Program Advisory Committee.
• Allowances—No free allowances for utilities and industry. Any higher will significantly impact projected proceeds for climate solutions and impacted communities.
• Offsets—Oregon only offsets with a limit of 2%.  Ensure benefit accrues to Oregon communities and does no harm globally

So your call or letter/email could take the form of:  Hi, my name is {NAME} and I’m a constituent in {CITY, ZIP}. I’m calling to encourage {LEGISLATOR NAME} to support the passage of {SB1507/HB4001} this short session. In addition, I encourage these improvements to the bill – {STATE ABOVE SUGGESTIONS}. Thank you – and feel free to add additional touches such as “climate change is affecting Oregonians now,” “as a person of faith, I ask you to recognize the moral imperative that we have to protect current and future generations, and the planet” or something to make this your voice speaking to your legislators.


Help us create housing opportunity

Here is what you need to do:

• Find your Legislator by visiting here: Find Legislator Enter your address and your info will appear!
• First, introduce yourself. Let them know you’re a constituent!
• Tell your Legislator why housing opportunity is important to you. Some suggestions:

1. Hardworking people should be able to afford housing and still have enough money for groceries and other basic necessities 2. Children deserve an opportunity to succeed in school and life, which is tied to having a stable home 3. Housing gives people an opportunity to build better lives. To succeed you need a place to call home 4. In every community in our state, there are residents who struggle to make ends meet. They are often forced to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. We need to help make sure that everyone has a safe, stable, affordable place to call home. 5. We can live in a state where everyone has access to opportunity and a decent, stable, affordable place to call home. By investing in housing opportunities, we can create an Oregon with a better future for all of us.

• Share why it’s important to you that everyone in your community have a safe place to call home. Do you have personal experience with housing instability, or has someone close to you experienced housing instability? Have you volunteered at a shelter or at your church to help people experiencing homelessness?
• Ask your Legislator to support HB 4007, which will increase the document recording fee. The document recording fee is a fee charged when you record the documents on a home purchase or change to the title, or other real estate documents. Currently the fee is $20, and it goes to three purposes:

10% goes to emergency rent assistance; 14% goes to help folks access homeownership – right now, it’s used for down payment assistance and education and counseling; and 76% goes to build more affordable homes. Within each of these accounts, 25% is set aside to serve veterans.

• Thank your Legislator for their time.
• More information HERE