Summer is almost over!

Friends & Neighbors,

I have been recently meeting with key stakeholders on various policy ideas and researching those concepts to see the best way to address the issues. I’ve been working on different concepts including gun violence prevention, dual credit/accelerated learning, and a bill that would provide early screening for 61 diseases for newborns, such as Krabbe Leukodystrophy. 

I am working with Rep. Sheri Malstrom & Rep. Susan McLain on this concept which was brought forward by a nurse friend of mine that has had direct experience with babies that have suffered complications due to a delayed response in treatment. While a cure is being worked on particularly by two east coast doctors, we hope that newborn screening can lead to greater awareness to help families and their doctors work to address treatment. (Pictured on the left is Nikki Monaco & her son Emmett, who is diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy). PAX Update Throughout the year I have been working with partners in the Hillsboro School District and Washington County to hear about the implementation of PAX Good Behavior Game and ways we can help reach other teachers in other school districts across the state with this resource. The PAX Good Behavior Game, widely used by teachers and administrators in the Hillsboro School District, has been a successful tool in lowering office referrals, allowing students to be more engaged in instruction and helping students learn self-regulating skills. Teachers and students both benefit from this positive behavior reinforcement method. I have visited classrooms and seen this in action and it is impressive.

Tour of WashCo Family Justice Center Earlier this month, Rep’s Susan McLain, Rich Vial, Jeff Barker, and myself got to take a tour of the Washington County Family Justice Center. This a safe place for people experiencing domestic violence to go and seek help. With numerous resources housed under one roof, the idea is to have any resource one might need with minimal stress and travel.  Each month they serve an average of 500 clients. They have the Oregon Law Center - Hillsboro Regional Office, Domestic Violence Resource Center, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro Police Department, and more available. I am so proud of the great work that is being done in Washington County and I look forward to sharing this experience here with other legislators and colleagues across the state.

Listening Session in North Plains

On Saturday the 18th, I held a listening session at Hits the Spot Café in North Plains. We had the Mayor of North Plains, a city councilor, and a Hillsboro School Board member in attendance and we had an informative conversation. The Mayor, Teri Lenahan, provided an update to constituents on North Plains activities, and how they are planning for growth in the future. These are great opportunities to have meaningful discussions and hear updates from those who are working in our community. If you are unable to make any of my many listening sessions, but are interested in listening in, we are now broadcasting all our listening sessions via Facebook Live. You can visit my page to watch them live, or watch them later when convenient to your schedule.

Listening Session at Hillsboro Senior Center

On Friday the 24th, my 16th listening session of the year took place at the Hillsboro Senior Center to host a coffee with members of the senior center. I try to make myself as accessible as possible, and that means going to senior centers and various senior-living facilities to hear the concerns and ideas. We had a great conversation about various issues including immigration, access to health care, and ensuring that the youth growing up are gaining the skills necessary to achieve in life. I really appreciate these conversations and I always look forward to coming back to the senior center.

Sheriff Garrett – WashCo Tour 

On the 20th of August, I joined Sheriff Garrett in welcoming the newly elected county commissioners. We met and heard from staff about the jobs they do on a daily basis, statistics from their various departments and their impact on keeping our community protected. It was very inciteful to hear from the Sheriff and his staff, and I look forward to working with all of the current and newly elected members of the Washington County Commission. 

HPD Ride-Along On August 30, I joined Officer John Ganci on a ride-a-long with the Hillsboro Police Department. I did a ride-a-long last summer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and was happy to be able to join HPD this summer. During our 4-hour shift I could see the excellence and professionalism that Officer Ganci portrayed on the job. We discussed how certain policies effect their day-to-day work and the people they serve. I also heard about the strenuous impacts the job can place on our emergency personnel and proud that Hillsboro Police Department takes the well-being of their officers seriously and provides support.  I really enjoyed my time on the ride-a-long and highly suggest doing one for yourself if you are interested in becoming a police officer, or just are interested in learning more about law enforcement in Hillsboro.

Our very own intern, Kelly Xu is a YAC member and has been doing some amazing work in our community. I asked her to provide an update about the work that the Youth Advisory Council members have been doing to help protect our environment.  #KidsInspireMe

Shopping Sustainably

Hillsboro has always been a forward-thinking community. We see it in our diverse neighborhoods, in our commitment to always do better, be better, and in our pledge to fight for what we believe in. This future-oriented attitude is one of my favorite things about our city and it has driven me and my fellow members of the Youth Advisory Council to propose an idea to the community. Our idea revolves around reducing plastic usage rid of single-use plastic bags in some of our Hillsboro checkout aisles. Such a policy, of course, cannot single-handedly save the oceans from plastic pollution, but it would come with a number of benefits. Local rivers and streams would likely see a reduction in pollution from plastic bags, which would not only increase the aesthetic appeal of our city but also make our local environment a healthier place for wildlife. My YAC friends and I want to grow up and inherit a clean, sustainable world, and we want Hillsboro to be leading the way to this better future, just like it always has.

Upcoming Events:

9/29 – Listening Session – Ava’s in Orenco - 9am-10am

10/3 - North Plains Small Business Roundtable - 5:30pm-7pm

10/20 – Listening Session – Alma Gardens Retirement Community - 9am-10am

11/8 - CPO 8 Meeting - Tualatin Valley Fire Dept - 7pm-8:30pm

12/15 – Listening Session – Ava’s in Orenco - 9am-10am

Thank you for following along with my legislative newsletter. This will be my last newsletter until after the November election. Sixty days prior to any election, we are unable to use state resources to circulate information. I will still be able to host listening sessions and town halls. I have many other methods of communication including social media, so I would highly encourage you searching my name on your favorite platform and following along from there. Thanks for being understanding, and I will continue my newsletter after the election. My office is still available to you by email or by leaving a phone message during this time. 

Onward & Upward,

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