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Hello Friends and Neighbors,
Reopening Oregon is what is on everyone's minds. Including mine. The Stay Home, Save Lives order has been working and Oregon's infection rate is one of the lowest in the nation. People are eager to ease restrictions and get back into their communities and back to work. As a first step, the state is going to be allowing non-emergency medical procedures to resume May 1st. While this is one small step, it's an important one. The Governor's office has developed reopening draft documents by sector. Please review these drafts on my district webpage and send substantive comments and suggestions to the Governor's office or my email address: Rep.ChristineDrazan@oregonlegislature.gov. I will continue to share feedback with the Governor.
COVID-19 drive thru testing will be held in Oregon City this Friday, May 1, 10:00-3:00. This testing is by appointment only, so make sure you sign up before you show up. Get more information and a time slot HERE.
 The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program is open and accepting applications. Self-employed, contract, and gig workers not eligible for regular unemployment benefits who are filing for the first time should use the instructions and initial application form here on the top of the CARES Act Page to complete your first claim.
Those of you who have already filed initial and weekly claims and have an established PIN, you should complete the PUA application and certification process at http://workinginoregon.org/pua/en/ (English) or the http://workinginoregon.org/pua/sp/ (Spanish).
The Oregon Department of Revenue is adjusting requirements of businesses making estimated payments of the Corporate Activity Tax. Beginning immediately, the ODR has revised OAR 150-317-1300, dated April 27, 2020, to reflect a change in the threshold for making estimated tax payments from $5,000 of annual tax liability to $10,000 of annual tax liability for the first year of the tax. This means businesses that will owe less than $10,000 are not required to make quarterly estimated tax payments during 2020.
The DOR also won’t assess penalties for underestimated quarterly payments or for not making a quarterly payment, if businesses don’t have the financial ability to make the estimated payment. Read the full press release HERE.
Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get forms, check the status of your refund, or make payments. You can call 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222 (toll-free) or email questions.dor@oregon.gov for additional assistance. For TTY for hearing- or speech-impaired, call 800-886-7204.
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Late last week, Congress put another $310 billion toward the Paycheck Protection Program. As of April 24th Oregon had received 423 forgivable SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans totaling $91,249,100 and 18,732 Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling $3,806,104,476. |
In my last newsletter, I shared that the Emergency Board would meet to consider various funding requests. Last Thursday, the Emergency Board allocated funds that prioritized frontline workers, domestic abuse survivors, and small business owners.
Some of the highlights of the funding passed includes:
- Housing – safe shelter and rental assistance
- Small Business Assistance
- Domestic and Sexual Violence Resources
- Oregon Worker Relief Fund
- Long Term Care Worker Testing and Training
- Coronavirus Relief Fund - $300 million federal funds authorization
While the funds available to the Emergency Board are limited, these actions are a good first step to help Oregonians and fill in gaps in the federal relief while we wait to be called into a special session.
 If you would like to receive daily text updates on how our work at a state level against COVID-19 is progressing, you can sign up HERE.
As always, it is my pleasure to serve my community, Please reach out to my office anytime.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1439
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-395, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ChristineDrazan@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/drazan
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