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Greetings:
I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. I wanted to take a moment to clarify something from my last newsletter, where I said that I was disappointed in the Governor’s decision to transition to distance learning for the remainder of the school year. To be clear, I fully support the governor’s decision as an important part of our response to manage this public health crisis. My disappointment is one that I share with my kids and many other families in losing their in person connection through our schools to friends and neighbors. May this and other hard decisions we are making and following lead to better times ahead for us all.
Constituent Spotlight
What a fantastic video the Parkrose High School Leadership Team created about importance of looking out for one another in this time of need - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did:
Oregon Health Authority
The Oregon Health authority reports up-to-date information regarding testing statistics that can be found on their website. You can review the daily update and read the weekly report that details the overall picture of the COVID-19 response across government agencies. Here are some recent developments from OHA:
- Oregon’s LatinX population is disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In response, OHA’s Community Partner Outreach Program (CPOP) has been working with DHS to provide additional funding to existing community partners to expand their outreach efforts and distribute information regarding COVID-19
- Cumulative COVID-19 infections: Under current social distancing conditions, the total cumulative infections with COVID-19 in Oregon on May 18 would be fewer than 20,000. However, if the state were to return to moderate social distancing (i.e., reopen non-essential businesses while keeping schools closed), the number of new infections would quickly climb to more than 60,000 by May 18.
Legislative Action on COVID-19 Response Efforts
Governor Kate Brown is reviewing the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Coronavirus Response, and considering what actions she can implement through executive action. She is waiting to call a special session until further information is available on how the federal stimulus package is going to contribute towards response efforts.The Legislative Concept Draft developed by the Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response and Coronavirus Response Summary detail those recommendations being considered. In addition, Speaker Tina Kotek is working on an emergency funding package with the Legislative Emergency Board. This funding package will prioritize immediate relief that will address issues such as increasing food accessibility, providing rent assistance and ensuring the longevity of small businesses.
West Coast Governors’ Coalition
Today, Governor Kate Brown announced important prerequisites Oregon must meet to re-open parts of our economy and potentially ease social distancing guidelines. These metrics are aligned with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Washington Governor Jay Inslee on an agreement for a shared vision for reopening our economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future. Strategies outlined in the joint statement include:
- Protecting vulnerable populations at risk for severe disease if infected. This includes a concerted effort to prevent and fight outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
- Ensuring the ability to care for those who may become sick with COVID-19 and other conditions. This will require adequate hospital surge capacity and supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Mitigating the non-direct COVID-19 health impacts, particularly on disadvantaged communities.
- Protecting the general public by ensuring any successful lifting of interventions includes the development of a system for testing, tracking and isolating. The states will work together to share best practices.
Funding for SNAP & The Oregon Food Bank
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) announced that they will provide an additional $30 million per month during April and May. This temporary allotment will provide individuals who are not currently receiving the maximum benefit to be able to receive additional relief to buy groceries.
- Governor Brown announced much needed funding for the Oregon Food Bank. The Oregon Food Bank will receive $1 million a week for the next 8 weeks in an effort to help meet the needs of Oregonians around the state. The state will eventually be reimbursed up to 75% from FEMA for this emergency funding.
Stimulus Checks Are On The Way
Individuals have started to receive their stimulus checks from the U.S. Government. For those who have direct deposit information on file with the Internal Revenue Service or with the Social Security Administration, the money will be deposited directly into your account. The IRS launched a web-based tool to ensure that people who don’t normally file tax returns won't miss out on upcoming economic stimulus payments.In the coming months, other consumers may receive hardcopy checks. The schedule of disseminating checks is as follows:
- Taxpayers with income up to $10,000: April 24
- Taxpayers with income up to $20,000: May 1
- Taxpayers with income up to $40,000: May 15
- The rest of the checks will be issued by gradually increasing income increments each week.
Novel Coronavirus Informational Event
Oregon Health Forum-Combatting Anxiety, Depression and Social Isolation
When: Wednesday April 22nd, 10:00-11:00 am Live Stream
Where: Register online here through Zoom:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gLRZWkoQTSKWblMVtMfzkg
Cost: Free to all registrants
Coronavirus Response Information:
Employment/Business/Consumer Information:
Food Resources:
Health & Safety Information:
Please reach out to my office if you have any additional questions, or if there’s anything you think I could help with.
Sincerely,
 Representative Barbara Smith Warner
House District 45
email: Rep.BarbaraSmithWarner@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1445
address: 900 Court St NE, H-295, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/smithwarner
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