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Friends and Neighbors,
Emergency Board Hearing
On Friday, the Legislature’s Emergency Board approved a relief package of nearly $250 million that will support Oregonians and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Oregonians are struggling right now, and it is essential that we get the federal resources out to people in need as soon as possible.
Make no mistake, this is not enough. We need Congress to step up and provide more direct support to the people and small businesses that need it most. The scale of this economic crisis is too big for Congress to not act soon.
Among the additional investments made were:
- $75 million to support rental assistance, affordable housing and mortgage payment assistance.
- $10 million in additional support to the Oregon Worker Relief Fund which support Oregonians who are not otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance like farmworkers.
- $18.5 million to support individuals having difficulty paying their utility and internet bills.
- $4 million to support survivors of domestic violence.
- $25 million to enhance behavioral health services for Oregonians impacted by COVID-19, with a focus on communities of color, Oregon’s federally recognized tribes, and vulnerable populations.
- $30 million in childcare support
- $20 million to expand access to broadband and help Oregonians adapt to working and learning remotely
- $10 million to help small businesses purchase the personal protective equipment they need to reopen
Learn more about the investments and watch the full hearing here
Community Outreach
Friday afternoon, I stood with the North Plains community and Mayor Teri Lenahan at one peaceful protest that lined the sidewalks and then another with Hillsboro community members at the Hillsboro Civic Center. North Plains had people power, signs, voices, waves and honks of support. In Hillsboro, we honored silence. We honored the voices who wished to speak. In both spaces, there was great strength in numbers, with space to safely be present. I commit to continuing to elevate that #BlackLivesMatter. As the Co-Chair of the Joint Public Safety Sub Committee, I know we have work to do that can bring positive change. There will be opportunity to learn more from each other. I wanted to share some resources that you may find helpful for yourself, your students and/or your family. Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It’s not pie. Let’s get to work together for positive change.
   Resources for Learning on Racial Injustice
Thank you to VertueLab for sharing this extensive collection of resources, organizations, petitions and more that will help you focus your time, resources and support. List includes organizations to donate to, resources in Spanish, suggested articles, books, films, and more.
For Reading:
For Watching:
For Children:
For the Classroom:
 A Message from Hillsboro Police Chief Jim Coleman
The Hillsboro Police Department values the unique opportunities our diverse community presents to those who live, work, and visit, along with the right of every person to thrive in this great environment. We hold sacred the lives and aspirations of our Black community members and all communities of color and diversity. Every person in America has the right to live without fear of death, injury, or deprivation at the hands of racism, discrimination, or poor police practices.
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 revisited these fears upon our country and community. No matter how vile and inhumane we as Hillsboro Police officers find the actions leading to his death, we must accept the fact they were perpetrated in a police uniform by a police officer. We know this fractured and eroded the trust we strive for each day with those we desire to serve.
For many reasons, including out of respect for George Floyd, his loved ones, and all victims of racism, we are recommitting to all of the aspects contributing to safe and equitable public safety in Hillsboro. To that end, we have replied to numerous individual inquiries and expressions of concern, and we welcome the continued dialogue with community members. Additionally, the department immediately began to reassess our measures of prevention and accountability.
We are participating in a Hillsboro City Council work session on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom videoconference. The session will be focused on where Hillsboro Police stands on policies and practices designed to reduce incidents of excessive use of force, injuries, and death. These approaches are known by multiple references, including “8 Can’t Wait.” Many of these approaches are already in place at HPD through existing policy or training, while others require a careful and thoughtful examination of practicality and intent.
As Chief of Police, I believe our department is positioned to be a model of how a police agency can be an asset to its community. As part of the City of Hillsboro’s hiring process, HPD asks every potential employee to articulate this to us when they are considered for a position. We have the means for success through the adoption of the highest ideals and by leaning on the deep and historic partnerships with individuals and organizations from all corners of our community nurtured every day by the men and women of HPD. We can never be fully successful without the trust of our communities of color, especially our Black community, and we are committed to earning it every day.
Jim Coleman, Chief of Police
Education Updates
Happening Today
 RSVP here.
Graduation is a special time for students, families and school staff. Normally, graduates would return back to their home elementary school, dressed in their graduation gowns and do a fun parade through the halls. This is to prove to themselves that they have reached an important milestone through hard work and it sends a message to the younger students that graduation is within their reach. It was another sad moment lost due to school closures and the pandemic. It is heartwarming to see the messages that schools are putting together to let the graduates know they are proud of them. I was proud to be asked to include a message. Please watch this special message to the Quatama Elementary alumni/Liberty High School Class of 2020 students HERE.
Environmental Updates
Recycling Advocates Zero Waste Survey
Message From Recycling Advocates Zero Waste Subcommittee: We realize that many of the topics we talk about in this forum may seem very minor considering what is occurring all over the globe. We concur. That said, we also know that for the sake of our sanity, and for the collective health of our community, we must continue to move forwards doing the things that we can to mitigate the impact of waste on our resources. Resue, Reduce, Recycle, and of course, Refuse whenever possible. As the pandemic struck North America we have all watched and waited and worried, doing our best to prevent the spread of the virus and making the necessary adjustments in our routines to keep each other safe. Many extra safety measures have been added to our already carefully controlled food delivery systems. You have likely been affected by these changes in terms of your personal efforts to reduce or eliminate packaging waste. Our Zero Waste subcommittee has put together a brief survey to gauge how you've been affected and how you feel about the adjustments.
They greatly appreciate your responses!
 TriMet Updates
TriMet Looks to the Future: Transit During the Pandemic and Beyond
TriMet is developing plans for our future. While the COVID-19 pandemic brings many uncertainties, TriMet will continue to provide a service that is safe, reliable and equitable. We are hosting three virtual open house events to share what we want riders to know as they start returning to transit and our plans for preserving service, jobs and safety in the coming year. Join us by phone or CISCO Webex video chat and hear from our agency leaders on how we intend to begin our cautious come back.
 Video: Click here for Spanish (6/9), here for English (6/10) and here for English (6/11)
Participants will also be able to submit questions to the panelists using the chat feature in Webex. Learn more and leave feedback through June 14 at trimet.org/openhouse.
Insurance Updates
State Extends Emergency Order for Health Insurance Companies
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services extended its emergency order for health insurance companies through July 3, 2020.
The order requires health insurance companies to do the following for their customers during the COVID-19 outbreak:
- Provide at least a 60-day grace period to pay any past-due premiums
- Pay claims for any covered services during the first 30 days of the grace period
- Extend all deadlines for reporting claims and other communications, and provide members with communication options that meet physical distancing standards
The order is in effect through July 3 and will be extended in 30-day increments during the course of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Read the complete health insurance order
Read the extension to the emergency order
Consumers and regulated business professionals can learn more about insurance and financial services issues related to COVID-19 by visiting dfr.oregon.gov.
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education 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
Human kindness and acceptance is not a political issue, it is a moral issue. Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & 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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