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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The first task for state legislators right now is to stay informed and communicate with their constituents as much as possible about the coronavirus pandemic – what's happening, how people can do their part, how people can get help, etc. There’s a daily conference call with the Governor’s key people to get the latest information. Often, we then share that information through social media and our e-newsletters.
This week, legislative leaders also put the finishing touches on a draft bill to address urgent needs in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The bipartisan work of the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response was simply outstanding, and I really want to thank my colleagues for their commitment to reaching consensus on some immediate priorities for Oregonians.
The draft bill, Legislative Concept 29, contains a series of temporary changes to state law, from housing to health care to small business assistance. You can read a two-page summary of the proposal here, and you can read the draft language here. This proposal does not contain any budget recommendations.
Some of the proposed changes include:
- Enhancing existing moratoriums on evictions from rental housing or commercial properties.
- Emergency siting of homeless shelters.
- Expedited nutrition assistance.
- Manufacturing of personal protective equipment.
- Ensuring access to out-of-network health care or telehealth services.
- Supporting small businesses through the Oregon Business Development Department.
- Establishing hardship provisions for licensed professionals who cannot complete continuing education requirements.
- Authority to the Chief Justice to suspend or extend timelines within the court system.
- Providing flexibility for local governments to do their work.
Governor Brown has reviewed the Joint Special Committee’s recommendations and is currently assessing which of these temporary changes she can implement by executive action. We look forward to working with her on parts of this response package in a future special session.
In the meantime, I am focusing my energy on putting together an emergency funding package with the Senate President for the Legislative Emergency Board to take up as soon as possible. This short-term relief proposal will prioritize immediate needs like rent and shelter assistance, wage replacement for laid off workers not eligible for unemployment benefits, assistance for small businesses, and support for domestic violence shelters. Hopefully, I’ll have more to report next week.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will have an additional $30 million per month during April and May to help people on SNAP buy more food. If you are already enrolled in SNAP, you don’t have to do anything. To apply for SNAP, you can go here.
Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon has put together this helpful guidance for households purchasing food through SNAP.
- Governor Brown announced the state has distributed COVID-19 rapid testing instruments to hospitals in three rural Oregon counties: Curry General Hospital in Curry County, Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Morrow County, and Lake District Hospital in Lake County. These tests can provide results in minutes. Unfortunately, the federal government has not provided nearly the number of tests Oregon has requested. For now, distribution of tests is being prioritized by areas of the state that have:
- No access to COVID-19 testing
- Limited first responders
- Limited or unavailable courier services for the state public health lab and commercial labs
- A high population of older adults and other at-risk groups
- Hospitals or clinics without access to these tests
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The Oregonian reported today there have been more than 2,000 complaints to state regulators from workers about workplace conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. As a reminder, the Bureau of Labor and Industries has more information on workplace laws here and you can file a complaint through their site here if your employer isn't following the Governor's executive order or social distancing guidelines.
- Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties have teamed up to create a Coronavirus Checker, which allows you to check your symptoms if you feel you may have the virus.
- The Oregon Health Authority announced 82 more diagnosed cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 1,321. Sadly, six more deaths have been announced and 44 individuals have died from coronavirus in Oregon.
As I’ve written a couple times this week, data shows that the Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives directive is having the intended effect of limiting the spread of coronavirus. While the weather has improved, it’s essential that we keep doing what we’ve been doing to keep ourselves and others healthy.
Here is some advice on how to still enjoy the weather while we Stay Home, Save Lives!
I know this has been a particularly difficult time for people who have lost their job and are still paying student loans. Unfortunately, the CARES Act that President Trump signed last month doesn’t have outright loan forgiveness. However, the Student Borrower Protection Center is a great resource on student loan repayment during the coronavirus pandemic. The CARES Act does have provisions to help with federal student loans.
You can go here for more information and watch the video below for a webinar on student loan repayment options.
I know there have been early challenges with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that was part of the $2 trillion federal CARES Act. This is part of why I am looking to take legislative action to do more to help small businesses.
For now, I want to point you to this resource from Senator Jeff Merkley, which shows which lenders are accepting PPP applications in Oregon. To be clear, this information is fluid and could change. I’d recommend checking with individual lenders regularly if you are looking for a loan.
For up to date information, please check this link to the Oregon Health Authority where regular updates are posted: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/News-Releases.aspx
Please email me at Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov if you have specific concerns that have not been addressed by the OHA. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.
Thank you for reading! We will get through this together.
Best,
Tina Kotek
State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House
email: Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek
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