Click to edit this placeholder text.

COVID-19 Update:

Governor Kate Brown has enacted new rules in regards to the coronavirus. All that is posted below is effective from today (3/17/2020) for four weeks:

1. The practice of social distancing is now 25 persons (most stores including grocers and pharmacies will be exempt).
2. Restaurants must do carry out or delivery only with NO dine in or on site consumption (non compliance will lead to a Class C Misdemeanor).
3. All businesses should evaluate social distancing practices.
4. A committee/group will be formed for mitigation of economic impact of these decisions. Gov. Brown says she's convening a council on economic relief for those affected by covid19: "We want to make sure Oregon families have the resources they need to pay rent/mortgage, and purchase essentials."
5. Metro area hospitals will act as a unified health system to increase bed capacity and private entities will be opened for bed capacity
6. As for schools: Gov. Brown previously ordered schools closed through March 31. She now says she's "reevaluating" the length of that, considering her cancellation of gatherings of 25+ for four weeks.

Also Gov. Brown says she'll likely call a special session in the next few weeks to address economic impacts already hitting Oregonians. As a legislator that concerns me with "social distancing" measures in effect so if we do meet, I would hope it's by teleconference or otherwise remotely. I do not know anymore than that, and what is on the video posted for replay below. This is significant. I absolutely realize the impact this will have on ALL Oregonians but especially those in the food services industry. I have hope that this group that will be formed will look to help those who will be hurt by this action. I have sent emails to those whom I believe can answer best, asking many questions.I will continue to do my best to keep you up to date as I learn more. President Trump today said "10" was the social distancing that the CDC recommends and that he believes this will not be over until July or August. So my friends, get used to spending time with your immediate family, stay home, when out stay 6 feet away from everyone, wash your hands, sterilize everything....be safe! It was also brought up "what about casinos" and as I answered earlier, they are on tribal land so not affected by these orders though the governor asked tribal leaders to consider them. Here is replay of live video from earlier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jQndXECPSc

Useful Links:

Here are further bits of information that I thought might be of help to you...

Here are links to each city page in House District 25 (Keizer, St. Paul and Newberg) specifically dealing with coronavirus updates:

St. Paul: https://www.stpauloregon.org/administration/page/city-st-paul-covid-19-information?fbclid=IwAR3t-ubrKz3oE-E3fFQaX67RHHaUevhSbF3waVecEv_x1nCJzK2E5ZNKQKY

Newberg: https://www.newbergoregon.gov/citymanager/page/coronavirus-covid-19-information

Keizer: https://www.keizer.org/CoronaVirusInformation

Important Info From Comcast:

Comcast is taking steps to implement the following new policies for the next 60 days, and other important initiatives: 

• Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
• Pausing Our Data Plan: With so many people working and educating from home, we want our customers to access the internet without thinking about data plans.  While the vast majority of our customers do not come close to using 1TB of data in a month, we are pausing our data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
• No Disconnects or Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams will be available to offer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions.
• Internet Essentials Free to New Customers: It’s even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward. Below is info on how/where to sign up for IE:
• https://www.internetessentials.com/

• 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish

For more information and updates from Comcast related to Coronavirus, visit: http://www.comcastcorporation.com/COVID-19/

Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus:

The agenda for the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response is on OLIS: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019I1/Committees/JSCVR/2020-03-18-10-00/Agenda. The meeting is set to begin on Wednesday, March 18, at 10AM.

The committee, which House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney formed last week, will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to protect the legislators and staff participating in the meeting.

Committee members will receive online and remote public testimony. The committee will only hear invited testimony during the meeting. Members of the public can submit ideas, feedback and testimony via email to jscvr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Written testimony will be posted on OLIS and the committee meeting will be livestreamed on OLIS. 

The committee is charged with the following tasks:

• Identify actions to support low-income and vulnerable Oregonians and small businesses as they comply with public health guidance. These actions could include short-term economic relief, protection from housing instability, support for those not eligible for state programs (such as sick leave and unemployment insurance) and more.
• Monitor public health strategies and response for COVID-19 and consider additional statutory changes to assist with the public health emergency.
• Make timely budget and policy recommendations to the Legislature.

I invite you to “follow” my Facebook page as that is the best way to get information out quickly to you and I update it multiple times per day. It’s www.facebook.com/billpostfororegon

Please let my office know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Be safe,

Bill Post
State Representative - HD 25

email: Rep.BillPost@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1425
address: 900 Court St NE, H-479, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/post