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Friends and Neighbors,
Revenue Forecast
Watch the June Revenue Forecast meeting here.
As we approach the budgetary shortfall created by the COVID-19 crisis there is a small amount of good news. During the last decade of prosperity Oregon has been able to build up reserves in the Education Stability Fund (ESF) and the Rainy Day Fund (RDF). In both cases the legislature can access up to 2/3rds of the beginning fund balance by a 3/5ths vote in each chamber of the legislature. Access to both funds also requires meeting economic triggers, which have already been met. Read more here.
The ESF began this biennium with a total of $609.9 million, making $406.6 million available. The ESF can only be used for public education, including pre-kindergarten through higher education as well as continuing education and workforce training.
The RDF began this biennium with a total of $666 million, making $444 million available. Funds in the RDF are intended to offset general revenue shortfalls. It is essentially the state's "savings account" that was established in 2007.
While this is the total amount currently available in each fund, it is important to remember that we don't know when we will see an improvement in the state's economy. The current projections show a considerable shortfall for the 2021-23 biennium and we need to prepare for that as well.
Link to Forecast Document
Link to Slide Presentation
 Education Updates
Seniors at Hillsboro’s High Schools will be Remembered with Special Cards
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Seniors graduating from the Hillsboro School District will get something extra from the community this year.
All 1,500 will receive a notecard and sticker.
The special project is a collaboration between graphic designer Joyce Gabriel, Lithtex Printing Solutions, Hillsboro business consultant Cindy Cosenzo and all the people who will buy the cards for $5.
Read more about the project here.
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Student Perspective
Lena Watson is a constituent in HD 30. She is in her Junior year of college at Oregon State University.
Helen (Lena) Watson
May 20th 2020 Mid-Rona Season
We went on spring break and never returned. It would be every college kid’s dream except we’re living in a pandemic. College was my whole life for ¾ of 3 years now. My house, my friends, and my classes were all in Corvallis. I must admit it feels like high school all over again. My brother and I are running around laughing and fighting, my mother makes a chore list, and my dad dresses from the waist up on zoom. Obviously there are downsides being locked in together but honestly I’ve been basking in it all, knowing it probably won’t ever be like this again. I’d tell you about online school but frankly I don’t think I’m the most qualified. I’m trying to gear up to it again, balancing my ambition with burnout. I am exhausted. We’re spending these months in the house for the first time in 9 years without our dog. I had to run down to AZ with my brother to get grandma to her chemo appointments, and my 21st birthday came and went with little celebration. School hasn’t been a priority, I know that’s not what parents want to hear but I can only be honest. I also know there are so many other struggles that plague us all and are exacerbated by COVID. Hopefully our teachers and parents will forgive us and know we are trying our best.
The pain of dealing with these issues is usually abated by my friends and community but that has also been shut down. Don’t think for a second I’d advocate for opening Corvallis, I need everyone to stay inside their homes so it’s safe to celebrate come fall. There are many other ways my friends and I stay in touch and support each other. Helena (from the previous newsletter) is a smart young woman with an awesome name (I pronounce my nickname Lay-nah). I’ve written all of my girls letters too. While we are very far away it does feel very intimate to share my stream of consciousness with them. Of course we text all the time, but writing was so different and a lot of fun. I learned about myself, them, and our relationships. Group Facetime and Netflix Party have been my best friend. Don’t watch “When They See Us” alone - you’ll lose your mind (possibly soul) and in case you didn’t hear “Avatar the Last Airbender” was added to American Netflix. Good luck guys I’m proud of myself for holding it together. Try to live without guilt, try to process and be better. Ask for help.
 I have been proud to serve on the Career & College Pathways Committee for the Hillsboro School District for many years now. Being at a table with educators, students, community leaders and the business industry, as we talk about the multiple pathways that students have opportunities for, is incredibly exciting. Learn more about this program here.
Education Links
Business Updates
 The Westside Economic Alliance will host local Mayors for their sixth annual Breakfast Forum, but since we can't meet in-person, the meeting will be virtually through Zoom. Join us as we hear how each city is working through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they are engaging with their business communities. WEA welcomes Westside Mayors Russ Axelrod, Frank Bubenik, Steve Callaway, Jef Dalin, Denny Doyle, Pete Edison, Ken Gibson, Tim Knapp, Teri Lenahan, Keith Mays, Jason Snider, and Pete Truax to the Zoom platform on Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 a.m. For more information: https://westsidealliance.org/
Register here.
Legislative Days
Beginning last Friday, and continuing through this week, House Committees are meeting virtually for Legislative Days. The week after will be the Senate Committees. You can find the daily schedule of committees that are meeting and follow along with the livestream by checking OLIS (the Oregon Legislative Information System). The main page will have information under "Meetings Today" on which committees are meeting at what time.
Two of my committees, the House Education Committee and the House Energy and Environment Committee, will meet on Thursday (5/28) and Friday (5/29). Click the links below to read the agenda and follow along.
Community Engagement
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
Onward and Upward,
 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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