Page 6
lune 19. 2013
Crime Laws May Get Racial Review
Portland lawmakers advance bill on racial impacts
In hopes of better serving all of
Oregon’s citizens, the House of
Representatives in Salem passed a
bill Friday that deals with how fu­
ture laws and ballot measures would
impact racial and ethnic minorities.
The bill, which moves back to the
Senate to concur with the House
before being sent to Gov. John
Kitzhaber for his signature, calls for
racial and ethnic and racial impact
statements for proposed legislation
relating to criminal sentencing or
child welfare policies upon the re­
quest of a member from each major
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Rep. Lew Frederick, an African-
American lawmaker representing
north and northeast Portland, said
in a press release, “I am excited
about this legislation not only for
the light it will shed on future pro­
posals but also because we have a
problem with disparate treatment
based on race and ethnicity in this
state, and it is time to stop looking
away.”
Sen. Chip Shields, also represent­
ing north and northeast Portland,
first introduced the bill in 2009 which Rep. Lew Frederick
was modeled after Iowa’s passage
of a similar law.
policies we propose are giving a fair
Shields called the legislation “an shake to all Oregonians.”
important tool in assessing whether
The bill passed the Oregon Sen-
S en . Chip S h ield s
atein April with a 27-2 vote and was
met with equally strong bi-partisan
support in the House on a 5 8-1 vote.
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photo by jerr y
A tkin
Postal workers gather outside the US Postal Service's Air Cargo Center near the airport on Saturday
protesting increased privatization o f jobs.
Postal Workers Battle Privatization
Demonstrators took to the front to the many m ail handlers and ticipating in the demonstration with
of a US Postal Service location near processing clerks losing their jobs banners and signs, some o f whom
the airport on Saturday to bring as the work gets contracted out to blocked the entrance to the Port­
attention to the ever-increasing non-union and non-postal com ­ land Air Cargo Center.
privatization of postal work.
panies.
The rally went without incident
The protesters called attention
There were over 40 people par- or arrest.
Affirmative Action Policy Adopted
The Portland School Board approved a proposed
Affirmative Action policy Monday by a vote of 6-0.
The policy requires the school district to make
meaningful efforts to recruit, employ, support and
retain a qualified work force that reflects the diversity
of the students in Portland Public Schools.
The statement calls on the district to make measur-
able progress every year in reaching goals established
by the Oregon Minority Teachers Act to diversify the
school district’s work force.
The policy also is designed to help ensure a work
and school environment free from discrimination, con­
tribute to enhanced student performance and elimi­
nate the achievement gap.