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During a press conference on Thursday, May 7th, Governor Brown announced the start date for Phase 1 of Oregon’s reopening process. With the participation and willingness to cooperate with guidelines, citizens can start getting back to business May 15th. For most of the guidance, the county must “re-open” first. For those in District 15, Linn County’s application is complete and is awaiting acceptance at the Governor’s office. More information from Linn County Board of Commissioners below.
Benton County will submit their application for reopening to the Governor’s office on Tuesday 5/12/20.
Documents and Guidance
Phase One Reopening Guidance for:
The full letter, health guidelines, and testing location information can be found here
Act fast! There is assistance specific to eligible businesses who conduct "direct work" with travel and tourism.
Travel Oregon has established a COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant Program. It has a short opening window to apply – May 11-15th. The fund is $800,000 and specifically targets rural/small businesses and those who have NOT received funds from EIDL or PPP.
Details and how to apply can be found here
PPP loans, EIDL advances, SBA loan subsidies not subject to CAT: The Oregon Department of Revenue has determined that certain federal assistance to businesses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is not commercial activity under Oregon statute and will not be subject to the Corporate Activity Tax. The exempt assistance includes forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) emergency advances, and Small Business Administration (SBA) loan subsidies.
Read the news release
Over the course of the last few weeks I have received numerous emails urging the reopening of Oregon’s shuttered businesses, parks, and outdoor recreation spaces. Much of this is in light of the fact that Oregon’s hospitals demonstrated they could handle a public health crisis. Not without sacrificing non-emergency surgeries and seeing a decrease in emergency room visits, which negatively affected the health of thousands of Oregonians, but also placed many of our rural hospitals in dire financial situations.
Many sectors of our business community have continued to operate successfully during this public health crisis with adjusted physical spacing, enhanced hygiene regiments, and in some cases additional gloves and other protections. We have experienced these new disciplines as we have gone about our routines during this stay home – stay healthy environment.
The most recent statistical information from OHA has shown that “The data show that nearly 6 in 10 of the victims of COVID-19 suffered from heart disease. Nearly 1 in 3 had diabetes. Almost a quarter of the deaths are of former smokers, but just one out of the 73 cases the OHA reviewed was a current smoker at the time they contracted the virus.” (Willamette Week full article here)
Today, if you would please take a moment to complete this online survey it would be sincerely appreciated. I remain committed to listening, responding, and leading. Your participation in this survey will help me to better serve you.
Click here to participate in this survey!
On Tuesday May 5th, Gov. Brown initiated a draw back of orders to stay home by allowing gradual openings of state parks and wildlife reserves. This is to allow people to visit the natural beauty of our state and get the needed exercise of the outdoors. Please be sure to follow guidelines of safety and concern about social distancing. A list of parks reopening is available from the Statesman Journal and links to Linn and Benton county parks departments below.
Oregon State Parks Reopening FAQ
Link to Linn County Parks Department
Link to Benton County Parks Department
There has been a lot of confusion about numbers and statistics around COVID-19 data being reported and posted around the internet. We will do our best to make sure the most relevant and accurate data is provided daily - to and about constituents in House District 15.
Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus link
SAMARITAN HEALTH & SAFETY
Click here for the latest information and updates from Samaritan Health Services
Late Monday night, the Treasury Department made an interim ruling on the conflict small business owners are having with accepting the PPP loan. The incentive of applying for the PPP loan was to keep employees on payroll and out of the Unemployment Insurance program by forgiving the loan if 75% of the loan was paid to employees. However, with some employees declining offers to return to employed status, the employer would have been on the hook to pay that money back. The ruling will allow employers with PPP loans to certify offers of employment and count that money towards the necessary threshold.
Treasury FAQ (see Question #40)
Journal of Accountancy Article
Governor Brown has signed an extension of 60 days to her original Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency. There is the ability for the Governor to lift the order earlier if she sees fit.
Official Release
Families with foster children, an additional $375 per month is available to foster parents based on need related to COVID-19, and is intended for respite care and childcare costs. Interested foster parents should contact their case worker or certifier to make the request.
DHS has also partnered with Every Child, to launch a comprehensive statewide emergency response to the fast-growing needs of children and families in Oregon’s foster care system during the pandemic. The initiative is called My NeighbOR. The initiative partners Oregonians across all 36 counties to meet the immediate tangible needs of foster families and youth in foster care.
Oregon children or young adults in foster care or foster family with needs should be shared at everychildoregon.org/need/
Individuals who can step up to meet the needs or Oregon’s foster children and foster families, should visit everychildoregon.org/myneighbor/
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is working to implement the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program which will impact foster families. Oregon families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will receive Pandemic EBT benefits, and this includes foster children. These are food benefits for the value of the breakfast and lunch meals that would ordinarily be provided at school.
Households will be identified through data collection efforts with the school districts. As long as current foster parents are listed on the children’s’ enrollment records the cards should be sent to the most current guardians. If a foster family receives SNAP benefits and includes the foster child on their case they will automatically receive the additional food benefits on their EBT/Oregon Trail Card. If a family does not currently receive SNAP benefits they will receive an EBT/Oregon Trail Card with instructions on use in June.
A provision in the CARES Act allows people to receive back pay all the way to February 2nd if they apply to receive benefits from the PUA. This provision was implemented recently on April 28th and has been lagging through the system. For those who do not normally qualify for Unemployment Insurance because they are self employed or a contractor, please use the link below.
https://govstatus.egov.com/ui-benefits/CARES
In an effort to help provide much needed data and measurements of COVID-19, Oregon State University is lending a hand to test and trace the novel coronavirus. This is essential to help save lives and ensure that, as Oregonians return to work, the spread is minimal and contained. Check out the project on Oregon State’s website.
TRACE-COVID-19
During this disruption in our daily routine and lifestyle, there is an increased possibility to experience some sort of mental illness. This is not to say that people will need to be diagnosed or on medication but there are resources available to get help in any situation. For those who have a history of mental illness and are unable to get the help that they need here are the resources available online and over the phone.
- SeniorLonelinessLine.org| 800-282-7035 or 503-200-1633 (GOBHI-EOCCO)
- Circles of Care: Ageplus.org/circles-of-care
- 24/7 Crisis Counseling Hotline:
- English: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Spanish: 1-787-339-2663 or text Hablanos to 66746
- National 24/7 Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
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https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- Note: Recently, the FCC recommended that 988 be designated as a national crisis hotline. 988 is NOT CURRENTLY ACTIVE and will not connect callers to the Lifeline.
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National Parent Helpline Monday - Friday 10am-7pm PT emotional support and advocacy for parents: 1-855-427-2736
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Trans Lifeline for peer support for trans folks, 7am-1am PT: 1-877-565-8860. This hotline is staffed exclusively by trans operators is the only crisis line with a policy against non-consensual active rescue.
- Mental Health America
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One of the best activities and memorable moments in grade school can be the outdoor school overnight experience. With the shutdown of public and private schools for the remainder of the school year, outdoor school programs are getting creative with their approach to give 5th and 6th graders the experience they deserve. Check out Oregon State University’s online educational resource for outdoor school protocols.
Educational Resources for Stay Home, Save Lives
Reminder: The Oregon Health Authority – OHA: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus211Info is a source of information about resources and benefits, and they are also ready to answer your questions about coronavirus. They are open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. by phone (call 211), text (text your ZIP code to 898211) or email (help@211info.org).
Together, we will get through this. Be kind to one another and reach out if you or a loved one need assistance.
Better together,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-389, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boshartdavis
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