During the May interim session, the Oregon Advocacy Commissions – comprised of the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OCAPIA), Oregon Commission on Black Affairs (OCBA), Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs (OCHA), and the Oregon Commission for Women (OCFW – gathered in Salem to host a Legislative Day for youth civic engagement and commissioner mobilizations.
The day started in the Oregon Labor & Industry building with presentations from the Secretary of State's Oregon Archives office and the Elections Division, as well as Next up Oregon, a bipartisan nonprofit that is engaging the next generation of young leaders in grassroots organizing, the importance of civic engagement, and understanding the power of our collective power.
“As Deputy Secretary of State, engaging with young students isn't just about imparting knowledge,” – said Cheryl Myers, Deputy Secretary of State. “It's about igniting sparks of curiosity that illuminate the path to a brighter, more informed and engaged community. I hope that OACO legislative days is just the beginning of the student's advocacy, and they continue to stay engaged in their state government.”
Commissioners also joined the BIPOC Caucus in roundtable discussions of their respective priority areas.
Commission Priority Areas:
- OCAPIA:
- Data disaggregation in state-level collection, analysis, and reporting for AANHPI Oregonians
- Advancing equity for applicants in the Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) to increase AANHPI* representation in government contracting
- OCBA:
- Increase affordable housing options and eliminate housing discrimination
- Elevate academic achievement and close the opportunity gap for African American & Black students
- Enhance accessibility of quality healthcare services, particularly in rural regions
- OCHA:
- Language justice in public meetings
- Equity for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) homebuyers
- Decentralized legal representation for immigrants
- Permanent earned income tax credit for ITIN holders
- OCFW:
- Monitoring implementation of the Pay Equity Bill and closing the gender wage gap
- Improving childcare availability and affordability
- Ensuring progress on statewide coordination to better serve domestic violence victims, survivors, and advocates
In the afternoon students and commissioners headed to the Capitol for a presentation with the Capitol Language Access team, met with their district legislators, and attended committee hearings. Thanks to efforts led by OACO's Policy and Research Analyst, Dr. Kyl Myers, students and commissioners from across the state attended the day's event, many parting with renewed inspiration and support for civic engagement.
