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About
Us
Ocean
State Action is a proudly progressive coalition of community
organizations, environmental groups, professional associations,
and labor unions working together to win public policy and
political victories for economic, social and environmental
justice. Our shared vision for Rhode Island is a community
where the ideals of equality, justice and the common good
prevail -- where businesses thrive and where every Rhode Islander
has access to quality health care, education, housing and
livable wage jobs that support them and their families in
achieving their fullest potential.
We
win by focusing on coalition building, community organizing,
leadership training, and lobbying for quality public policies
that increase opportunities for every Rhode Islander to work,
learn and stay well. Examples of our work include:
- The
Campaign for Rhode Island's Priorities,
a pro-active campaign for real long-term solutions to the
state's budget deficit; in 2006 successfully closing 3 corporate
tax loopholes and stopping the wholesale elimination of
the state's long-term capital gains tax. These measures
helped raise needed revenue to reduce deep cuts to public
services and programs Rhode Islanders rely on to work, learn
and stay well.
- The Health Care
Organizing Project, to expand access to quality,
affordable health care for all. Under the HCOP banner, we
have won significant expansions of the state's RIte Care
program for low-income children and parents, the creation
of the office of Health Insurance Commissioner, and most
recently, passage of the Coordinated Health Planning Act,
legislation that will curb the rise in health care costs
that is necessary to achieving health care for all. The
act flew through the House and Senate with broad support
only to be vetoed by the Governor.
- Voter Action,
a significant project to help new and infrequent voters
get to the polls. In 2006, the project helped increase voter
turn-out state-wide by 14%!
Top
priorities for the coming year include:
- Working to win
healthcare systems reform
and to protect access to quality, affordable health care
as part of the long-term struggle to win guaranteed health
care for all.
- Fighting for
an equitable tax structure, a humane state budget and economic
justice by providing strategic
organizing and lobbying leadership to the Campaign for Rhode
Island's Priorities.
- Strengthening
progressive political power by working to increase
the participation of new and infrequent voters and by training
at least 30 new progressive leaders
- Providing infrastructual
support for the Campaign for Marriage Equality
to win equal rights for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-gender,
queer and questioning Rhode Islanders
- Strengthening OSA's strategic
alliances in the community to help win racial justice
and immigrant rights
- Linking OSA coalition
members to new resources, research, and people.
Read
OSA's Statement of Principles!
Ocean
State Action Staff:
Karen
Malcolm, Executive Director
Peter
Asen, Association Director
Ivette
Luna, Lead Organizer
Daniel
Bass, Organizer
Victoria
Picinich, Organizer
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