Coronavirus Update: Staying Housed, Plan for Police Accountability

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House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: Staying Housed, Plan for Police Accountability

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We’re into a new month, and I know another month in this pandemic means more stress for Oregonians who are trying to stay financially afloat. That’s why my team is working every day to solve problems for people waiting for their unemployment benefits. It’s also why I continue to focus on getting more help to people for their housing costs.

Back in March, Governor Brown issued a statewide eviction moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment of rent due to wage loss resulting from COVID-19. This executive order prevents a landlord from giving an eviction notice or filing an eviction lawsuit related to non-payment of rent or no-cause evictions. This order is still in effect. I’m advocating for the legislature extending this moratorium by law during an upcoming special session.

Additionally, I’m working with my colleagues to allocate federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars for rent and mortgage assistance. I should have more news on this later in the week.

 If you are not able to make rent because of the pandemic, please contact your landlord. If you need help with housing resources or shelter, visit 211info.org or call 2-1-1.

Here are some other sources of information:


A Plan for Police Accountability

Today, the Oregon’s Legislative People of Color (POC) Caucus released a three-point action plan for the legislature to take up this year to improve police accountability in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the ensuing public outcry. Oregon Public Broadcasting has more information here.

First, in an upcoming special session, the POC Caucus is requesting that a bill from the last two sessions regarding law enforcement disciplinary actions that go to arbitration be included in any proposed policy bills the legislature considers. The concept has been approved twice unanimously by the Senate, as Senate Bill 383 (2019) and Senate Bill 1567 (2020). The new law would prohibit an arbitrator from lessening disciplinary action against a law enforcement officer if the arbitrator and the law enforcement agency determine that the officer has committed misconduct.

Second, also in an upcoming special session, the POC Caucus is requesting the consideration of a new legislative concept that would authorize and require the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute, if the evidence dictates, any death or serious physical injury resulting from the use of force by a law enforcement officer. The POC Caucus believes that independent investigations are necessary for all cases where law enforcement kills or seriously injures civilians, and that the Oregon Department of Justice is the appropriate agency to be assigned this task.

Third, the POC Caucus is requesting that the House Interim Committee on Judiciary immediately convene a bipartisan work group to recommend changes to the state’s laws regarding use of physical force or deadly physical force in making an arrest or in preventing an escape (ORS 161.235 and 161.239). This work will lead to a bill for the 2021 legislative session.

I firmly support this plan and will do everything I can to get this work done. Oregon has an opportunity to address abuses that have gone on for far too long. We must rise to the challenge of this moment and make real change to create a safe and supportive community for all Oregonians.


The Latest News

  • Business Oregon announced the recipients of $2.5 million in matching grant funding through the Emergency Business Assistance Grant Fund, which Governor Brown and the Legislature created to assist small businesses suffering in the wake of the pandemic. This money is going to cities, counties, and economic development districts that have existing small business COVID-relief programs or will stand up new programs to issue grants to local small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The program also encourages efforts to provide access to sole proprietors and historically disadvantaged businesses. More information is available here, and businesses are encouraged to check the Small Business Navigator here.
  • The Oregon Health Authority reported 33 more confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 4,220 confirmed cases. There are 4,335 confirmed and presumptive cases combined. Sadly, there have been three more deaths from coronavirus, meaning there have been 157 confirmed deaths in Oregon from coronavirus.

OHA COVID-19 Update 6-2-2020

OHA Hospital Update 6-2-2020

Why we wear masks

To read past newsletters, you can go to this link. For up to date information, please check this link to the Oregon Health Authority where regular updates are posted: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/News-Releases.aspx

Please email me at Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov if you have specific concerns that have not been addressed by the OHA. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.

Thank you for reading! We will get through this together.

Best,

Tina

 

Tina Kotek

State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House

email: Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek