Statement of Principles

Ocean State Action is a community/labor coalition that fights to advance progressive social change on issues of economic justice, consumer protection, and human and civil rights for all individuals. The following are statements reflecting the positions of the Ocean State Action Board of Directors.

• We support high quality, affordable health care for all Rhode Islanders.

• We are pro-worker, and support policies that are designed to improve the standard of living and protect the economic security of all Rhode Islanders, including funding for unemployed Rhode Islanders whose families depend on the social safety net for survival, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, nutrition programs, housing subsidies, and other social programs.

• We are pro-union, and believe that the rights of all employees must be respected, including their right to bargain collectively and be involved in decisions affecting their workplace.

• We are pro-environment, and support strengthening the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Act and Clean Air Act and oppose the easing of wetlands and air quality regulations. We support the design, production and use of products that are reusable, recyclable, biodegradable or disposable without contaminating the environment, as well as creating economic development through environmentally sound businesses.

• We are pro-child, and believe in protecting children's health and safety by supporting current school breakfast and lunch programs, Head Start, child care and child welfare programs, safe schools, and Title One for disadvantaged students.

• We are pro-public education, and support school funding, and oppose vouchers and privatization. We believe in preparing students for jobs of the future through professional development, classroom technology and access to a college education.

• We are pro-choice, and believe that decisions relating to reproductive freedom are private.

• We strongly support human and civil rights for all individuals, and believe that the rights of people of color, the LGBT community, women, senior citizens, and people with disabilities should be protected.

• We are pro-consumer, and support strong consumer, health and safety standards for products and services. We oppose efforts to restrict access to the civil courts.

• We support policies that make democracy work, including broad access to voter registration and open access to government officials.

• We believe in promoting corporate responsibility and fair taxation to ensure progressive taxation and equity.