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Friends and Neighbors,
Employment Updates
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Earlier this week, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program opened and is now 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, (see yellow buttons for English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Russian languages) to complete their first claim. The CARES Act Page also has links to instructions on how to file an application, FAQs, and information about the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC for the 13-week extension) and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC, for the $600 weekly ‘”pay up”).
For self-employed, contract, and gig workers who have already filed initial and weekly claims and have an established PIN, they should complete the PUA application and certification process at http://workinginoregon.org/pua/en/ (English) or http://workinginoregon.org/pua/sp/ (Spanish).
Staying Well while Working From Home
You’re working from home until further notice. The same is true for your spouse. Yesterday, you learned that your children’s school system is shutting down until public health officials have a better understanding of the coronavirus. And let’s not forget about the family dog who takes up a lot of space sprawled in the living room.
This quarantine-like scenario adds a new dimension to “family time”. As much as you love your family, all of that togetherness can become taxing after days – or even weeks – of doing it. Below are some tips on how to navigate the uncharted waters of living many of the 24 hours under the same roof so that you and your family members can keep a healthy mental equilibrium.
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Set expectations. Meet with your family to discuss your individual roles on how to make this situation work well for everyone. What is expected of everybody? For example, what does the work and school day look like while at home? When does the work/school day start and end? Can your children engage in social media activity during the “school day”?
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Develop and stick to a routine. Get up and greet the day as you normally would. Dress for the day as usual. Start the work and school days at their normal hours. Take breaks, do your chores and other daily activities as you normally would. Treat the workday as a workday and let weekends be special.
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Be physically active. Physical activity is important for everyone, particularly younger children and teens. When the family is working from home or going to virtual school, it is easy to fall in the habit of staying confined at home and neglecting physical activity. Encourage your children to be outside as much as possible (but not with others). If you don’t have access to a yard or the outdoors, keep moving in your home as exercise helps to boost mood. There are many exercises you can do on your own – planks, jumping rope, push-ups etc. – or you can follow exercise regimens found on the internet. Be sure to set aside time for physical activity.
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Set daily goals. You can get things done at home. In fact, a work-from-home scenario – without the normal commute – opens up time to accomplish those tasks you’ve long been avoiding, such as organizing your closet or cleaning out the garage.
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Don’t take things too personally. If you find your spouse or children are sticking to themselves alone in a room, don’t jump to any conclusions. They probably just need time to themselves, which may seem more apparent as you are together much more than you normally are.
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Take advantage of the time. As the adage goes, time is our enemy. Normally, we don’t have enough time to do the things we want, such as being with our loved ones. However, as this public emergency moves closer and closer to a quarantine – mandated or self-imposed – you may have more time, and if you handle the situation right, you might actually look back on this time as a period of togetherness and growth. Watch more movies as family; play family games; or learn a new craft or skill together, such as making the perfect soufflé.
These tips are a good place to start for a healthy family dynamic during times such as these. However, if you need further advice or guidance, call your company’s employee assistance program, which specializes in addressing work/life and other common challenges.
Tips for Working From Home
Every great worker is responsible for holding themselves accountable, and that sentiment can’t be truer for remote employees. When you work from home, you don’t have any sets of eyes watching over you, and subsequently, when it comes to accountability, you’re responsible for yourself. No matter how great your work ethic may be, these tips and tricks for holding yourself accountable will be more than useful.
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- Make Micro and Macro Goals
- Create Daily Lists
- Set Timers
- Reward Yourself
- Send Regular Updates to your Employer
- Review Your Work
Education Updates
Oregon Outdoor School
"Outdoor school immerses 5th and 6th grade students in Oregon’s natural landscapes. Students develop new perspectives on the natural world, learn about themselves and their relationships with others, and engage directly with the ecosystems they are learning about in their classrooms. This transformative experience cannot be replicated at home or school, but students whose outdoor school experiences are cancelled due to COVID-19 can still meet some goals of outdoor school while following government recommended social distancing protocols."
OSU Extension has put together some online educational resources for parents and teachers of students who would have otherwise been attending outdoor school this spring. Those resources can be found here.
Additionally, OSU Extension has information on outdoor school in general and their response to COVID-19 here.
Business Updates
Corporate Activities Tax (CAT) Update
The Oregon Department of Revenue filed a new rule on Monday to provide additional flexibility for small businesses subject to the corporate activity tax (CAT). Under the new rule, businesses subject to the CAT but owing less than $10,000 will not have to make quarterly estimated payments and will not have their CAT payment due until April 15, 2021. The previous threshold was $5,000. Learn more here.
Small Business Round Table
This week, I participated in a 2nd Small Business Zoom Conversation and shared this resource document that my office has prepared. I will be hosting regular small business round tables to check in with our local business owners and see what we can do to continue to support them through these difficult times.
Rental and Housing Assistance
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Thank you to Disability Rights Oregon for providing the following information.
Know your Housing Rights
Safe, stable housing is something that we all need to thrive. People with disabilities often face barriers in accessing housing. The COVID-19 pandemic is creating uncertainty for many renters and homeowners, including people with disabilities. During this crisis, you have rights and options that offer additional support. To help you, we created this FAQ that you can download from our website: Know Your Rights: Housing during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here are a few important advocacy tips to keep in mind.
Tips on How to Advocate
1. Advocate for yourself. Document, Document, Document! when you are asking your landlord for an accommodation, do it in writing. Email works. If your landlord says no or gives your problems, ask again in writing for an accommodation. This time give them a note from someone who knows your situation and can explain why you need the accommodation.
2. Ask for help. These organizations provide general housing advocacy and support:
If you are a person with a disability and being discriminated against because you have COVID-19, contact Disability Rights Oregon's confidential intake line at 503-243-2081 or 1-800-452-1694 between 9:00am – 12:00pm or 1:00pm – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
3. Use federal stimulus funds or federal protections. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law that may keep you from being evicted for non-payment of rent or from being foreclosed on for not paying your mortgage.
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If you rent a property through a federally-funded housing program or have a federally backed mortgage:
- Your landlord may not file to evict you for non-payment of rent or fees for 120 days beginning March 27, 2020. Visit the National Housing Preservation Database to figure out if your property is covered.
- There may also be additional protections by your city or county. Check with local housing officials to see if they have enacted protections for foreclosure that either give more protection than the CARES Act or that last longer.
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If you own a home that is federally-backed, which is most single-family homes:
- You are protected from foreclosure until May 17, 2020, and you are entitled to loan forbearance for 180 days if you have a financial hardship caused by COVID-19 such as losing your job. This period can also be extended an extra 180 days if you need it.
- This means if you have lost your job or income because of COVID-19, you may be able to work with your mortgage company so that your home is not taken from you just because you are unable to pay your mortgage right now.
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Visit the National Housing Law Project’s website to determine if your mortgage is covered.
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Additional Resources
District Links
Federal Delegation Links
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
- Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-11: places a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment in light of the public health emergency caused by the spread of coronavirus in Oregon. The order is effective for 90 days.
- Governor Brown's Executive Order 20-13 strengthens Governor Brown's previous ban on residential evictions, and prohibits landlords from charging tenants late fees for nonpayment of rent during the moratorium.
- Community Action.org
- Oregon Food Bank
- Meals on Wheels
Making a Difference
Bravo Hillsboro Police Department!
"A young boy battling cancer received a special honor from the Hillsboro Police Department on Wednesday.
11-year-old Danny Shaughnessy was sworn in by Hillsboro Police Chief Jim Coleman to become Chief for a day."
Read the full article here.
Saving Mother Earth
Fely Magallanes, a House District 30 constituent, has spearheaded an exciting and generous project to gift all North Plains residents with a reusable produce bag in celebration of Earth Day. Mayor Teri Lenahan has teamed up to help in the delivery of the mesh bags to many North Plains families already. The COVID-19 crisis has halted their production, because many sewers are making masks, but they will get started again. Thank you to everyone involved. #ProudToBeHD30
 
Project Homeless Connect
Thank you Genentech for delivering much needed supplies to the Project Homeless Connect Shelter in Hillsboro.
Calling All Mask Makers
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I have received several inquiries regarding homemade masks for use when out in public. If you are not crafty yourself, nor are you able to get materials to make one, it can be difficult. If any of you are making or selling masks, email us your contact information so that we can let others know where to find them. Please, wear a mask when you are around others….in the stores, at work, to appointments, etc. When I wear a mask it protects you. When you wear a mask it protects me. We all have a role in this. We will get through this. ❤
Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.
Onward and Upward,
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 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
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