Oregonians ask Legislature to let voters decide on constitutional right to healthy climate
By the time Joanna Rogers got to give testimony at the Capitol on a bill that could one day help enshrine the right to a healthy and safe climate in Oregon’s Constitution, she and other speakers were told they’d have one, rather than two, minutes to make their case for or against the bill. The 11-year-old from Portland made fast edits to her testimony so she could cut straight to the heart of the matter.
“You are in charge of so many kids’ fates. Please do what you can,” Rogers told the lawmakers.
If passed, Senate Joint Resolution 28 would refer a ballot measure to Oregon voters in November to amend the state constitution so that it guarantees the “inherent, fundamental right to a clean, safe and healthy environment, including but not limited to clean air, clean water, thriving ecosystems and a stable climate system.”
It would make Oregon one of four states to make such a promise to future generations in its guiding legal document and would allow Oregonians to sue the state government and its agencies if it reneges on that promise.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/03/27/oregonians-ask-legislature-to-let-voters-decide-on-constitutional-right-to-healthy-climate/
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