Public Policy priorities underscore AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

We support:

• A strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity
• Economic self-sufficiency for all women
• Equality, individual rights, and social justice for all women

Political Action

Although AAUW is nonpartisan, it is political and supports public policy legislation. The Public Policy Committee follows relevant bills while the Oregon legislature is in session, contacting legislators with support or disapproval. Updates on the current legislative action are available and State legislative priorities are available on the State website. Click below for more information.

AAUW  OF OREGON  PUBLIC POLICY ACTION PRIORITIES 2024 – 2026 1. Support a quality fully funded K-12 and higher public education system 2. Advocate for racial, ethnic, and gender equity/representation/economic security 3. Support health care for all Oregonians 4. Protection of our democracy 5. Expanding our influence through collaborations with like-minded organization and individuals

All Politics Are Local

Our Public Policy Team believes that all politics are local. That’s why we have long been involved in issues affecting our local community.

We are focused on the following issues:

VOTER EDUCATION: Since Ashland elects non-partisan officials, each election year
Public Policy sponsors a City Council and/ or Ashland School Board candidate
forum for the general public. Sometimes this event is co-sponsored with another
non-profit organization.

KNOW YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS: Each year, Ashland Public Policy sponsors the
January Branch meeting. We invite our local elected officials: Mayor, City
Councilors, District 5 State Representative or District 2 State Senator. The City
officials discuss local issues and the state officials update us on their priorities for
the upcoming legislative session that starts in February each year.

ADVOCACY FOR LEGISLATION: We work with AAUW of Oregon Public Policy
members to review state legislation, determine which bills AAUW supports (or
opposes) and work to provide testimony to convince legislators to pass (or not
pass) the legislation. We monitor bills as they pass through each chamber and on
to the Governor’s desk for signature.

PUBLIC POLICY November 2024

We have results from the November, 2024 City of Ashland election:
Mayor:   Tonya Graham
City Council Position 1:   Doug Knauer
City Council Position 2:   Jeff Dahle
City Council Position 3:   Dylan Bloom
City Council Position 5:   Gina DuQuenne
Ashland Charter Amendment – Open Seat Election:   Passed
Ashland Charter Amendment – Municipal Judge as an Appointed Position:   Failed
Approval of Ashland Resolution 2024-05 authority to issue water revenue bonds:   Passed

PUBLIC POLICY January 2025

The Ashland Branch Public Policy Team traditionally hosts elected officials as
speakers who discuss public policy at our monthly Branch meeting. On Saturday,
January 25, 2025, we will host Mayor Tonya Graham, Councilor Gina DuQuenne,
and City Manager Sabrina Cotta to discuss the state of affairs in city government.

Come and hear the issues and priorities for 2025! Saturday, January 25, 2025 at
10:30 am at the First Presbyterian Church, Calvin Hall, 1615 Clark Avenue at
Walker Street, Ashland.

Lisa Verner
Public Policy Committee Chair

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BE A TWO-MINUTE ACTIVIST!