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NEWS FROM DAS | NOVEMBER 2020
Director's Message
Thanksgiving All Year
Katy Coba, DAS Director and State Chief Operating Officer
As we’ve navigated an extremely trying nine months, I’m moved by the approaching season – Thanksgiving. I’m sure many of you will concur, that had we not remained focused on the things we’re thankful for this year, we would not have experienced the energy needed to get through. Being grateful in the midst of challenges is an age-old practice that our friends at the Positivity Project encourage us to remember.
Here’s a short list of things I’m grateful for within Oregon state government.
- The energy with which many employees went to work remotely last spring; this was made possible in large part by dedicated IT workers and procurement officers who ensured we had the needed equipment. It has not always been easy, but I appreciate everyone’s efforts to make it work, including the staff who cannot work remotely.
- The heroic way that agencies and individual employees responded to the pandemic and then September’s devastating wildfires. Books could be written about the tireless work of our first responders, public health professionals, and those who staff the Emergency Coordination Center.
- The creativity that emerged around turning large gatherings into remote events so we didn’t lose a year of connecting and learning. This happened at many levels, and I want to give special kudos to the Statewide Diversity Conference Committee and to PERS for successfully hosting their fall events virtually.
I’m also grateful for the great leap forward I’ve witnessed in our care and concern for one another as people. State colleagues have supported each other and extended grace to one another (and ourselves!) as we learn what success looks like today.
We still have challenges ahead, including the guidelines we must follow for our customary holiday gatherings. Please use the same energy, heroism and creativity we’ve observed all year to make your holidays safe for all. I’d be grateful if you did.
-Katy
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  From Adam Crawford, Director of Government Relations
With the election behind us, I want to give an update on what we can expect going into the 2021 Legislative Session.
Democrats retained their supermajorities in both chambers in Salem. House Democrats lost one seat overall to bring the partisan split to 37 Democrats and 23 Republicans. In the Senate, as of now the totals remained 18 Democrats and 12 Republicans. These stable results belie the hard-fought races and close results across Oregon.
The Oregon Legislature is going to have several big items on its docket once the 2021 Legislative Session convenes. The first is crafting a redistricting plan for federal and state legislative seats. This has to be done every 10 years after the Census. The second is coming up with a balanced budget. In past years, Oregon’s strong economic growth supported larger statewide budgets. Now with COVID and general economic uncertainty, tougher decisions await.
If you have legislative questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or an agency legislative coordinator. Together we’ll be working toward a productive session.
Surplus is Open to Serve Agencies
When the pandemic reached the shores of Surplus Property, the unprecedented and difficult decision was made to cease all activities to the public, including online auctions and the daily “General Store.” However, the Surplus agency customers (state agencies, counties, cities, special districts, nonprofit organizations, etc.) were encouraged to continue to purchase, as Surplus Property provided these agencies with items they could use in their COVID-19 response. This included items for remote offices (desks, chairs, bookcases) to hygiene kits and hand sanitizer. While most of the Surplus staff was assigned to work from home, a small contingency was still working at the warehouse, serving agency needs.
While we look forward to the day the public can return to the Surplus General Store, we are remaining open for agency customers, providing essential items to keep operations running smoothly. The Surplus Property program is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (excluding holidays) for agencies to shop. More information can be found on the website, oregonsurplus.com, or by calling 503-378-6020 during business hours.
 Do's and Don'ts for Idle Vehicles
With the number of state employees working remotely and the influx of meetings and conferences going virtual, state government is putting fewer miles on its fleet vehicles. This is good news for the environment, yet poses a potential risk of damage if a vehicle remains idle.
If you are responsible for a vehicle that is sitting idle, take the advice of your partners at DAS Fleet & Parking Services – Do’s and Don’ts for Idle Vehicles.
 The Toy Drive is Still 'On!'
It’s that time of year again, when state employees join together to bring some much needed holiday cheer to some of our smallest Oregonians. The State Employee Toy Drive kicks off this month and we need your help to make this year’s drive a success.
To support Governor Brown’s efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus, there will not be a state toy drop-off site this year and we strongly encourage toy purchases to be made online through the Toys for Tots Amazon and Walmart wish list sites. If your agency does have donated toys that need to be dropped off, deliver them to The Salem Kroc Center by Dec. 18. (check their website for hours of operation).* All online purchases can be made today through Dec. 18.
Contact Bryanna Duke for more information: bryanna.duke@oregon.gov.
*For offices outside the Willamette Valley, please deliver any donated toys to your local chapter of Toys for Tots, which you can locate here.
 Stay up to date on coronavirus news and instructions by visiting Governor Brown’s website and learn about the rules for Oregon state government on the DAS website.
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