Forward to a better Oregon

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Hello Friends and Neighbors,

As we begin the last full month of the 2017 legislative session, it’s important to keep the energy up. There is still so much work to be done, and with the interim on the horizon, I will be working hard to finish my first session strong.  

This month, I took the opportunity to participate in the Western Pathways Conference which is geared toward education and workforce development. Together with Rep. Jeff Reardon, I traveled to Denver to learn about ways Oregon can be better at preparing our students for the workforce and connecting them with industry in our state. It is vital that we develop multiple pathways for students including CTE (career technical education) and vocational training opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, and mentor programs.

In addition to legislators like me and Rep. Reardon, the attendees of this conference included national leaders from business, education, multiple levels of government, and philanthropy. The conference’s philosophy is that when policy makers learn together, they gain skills from each other. We were able to look at what was working in other states and were encouraged to replicate those models here. Over those few days we learned much from the meetings and presenters. I will take what I learned from this experience, with the many pages of notes and networking opportunities, and I look forward to supporting these efforts here in Oregon. I’m ready!

Western Pathways

3029

Rep. Cedric Hayden brought a bill to the legislature this year that I was proud to co-sponsor. HB 3029 would allow parents, or legal guardians, whose children’s birthday falls on or before the 1st of September to be allowed to delay enrollment in public full-time school for one year to better meet the needs of cognitive, social or physical development. This month I testified beside Rep. Hayden in the Senate Committee on Education and was excited to learn that on May 30th, the bill passed in committee unanimously. I am so appreciative of the opportunity that I have in Salem to work on legislation that is geared toward helping kids be more successful in their school experience.  What an honor. View our testimony here!

The Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization has been hard at work these past few months with the goal of developing a sustainable transportation package for all Oregonians. Committee members have proposed a wide-ranging transportation package that is funded through a variety of mechanisms. Discussions about the bill’s specifics will soon get underway, so if you’re interested come down to Salem on Mondays and/or Wednesdays at 5:30pm to attend the public committee meetings, or you can live stream or watch the recorded meetings on the Oregon Legislative Information Systems website here! That is also a great resource if you want to learn more about the proposal released at their May 17th meeting.  

erika janeen

I am honored to have been appointed by the Speaker’s office to the Council of State Governments (CSG) West Education and Workforce Development Policy Committee along with Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon. CSG West is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization focused on the development of programs and services offered to legislators and legislative staff with thirteen member states in the Western United States. We will be working with legislators from other states on a wide variety of issues relating to education and workforce development. This is a great opportunity to bring some positive ideas back to the legislature to help foster fresh approaches to developing Oregon’s education and workforce programs.    

Get Involved

  • Learn more about the Oregon Education Investment Initiative by visiting its new website!
  • Are you looking for new ways to get involved with the City of Hillsboro? Hillsboro has a variety of appointed positions available on standing boards, commissions and committees. By having a diverse range of members in these organizations, Hillsboro can look a toward a more inclusive future. Learn more about these opportunities here
  • HomePlate is an organization that focuses on the positive development of young people experiencing housing instability. They assist by providing education, access to services and resources, community building and youth empowerment. This is a great organization to volunteer with as an adult or a youth. Learn more and sign up to volunteer here!

Upcoming Events

Over these past few months I have been blessed with so much support as I tackle my first legislative session. Amongst all my meetings, floor sessions, listening sessions, town halls, and everything in between, I have kept true to my motto: Listen, Learn, Act. I want you all to know that I am still listening. Reach out. Tell me what you’re passionate about, because together we can look forward to a better Oregon.

Onward & Upward,

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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaneenSollmanforHD30/