Oregon State Leaders Call for $500 Emergency Relief Checks to Oregonians Waiting for Unemployment Help SALEM, Ore. – Today, Speaker of the House Tina Kotek (D – Portland) and Senate President Peter Courtney (D – Salem) proposed the immediate distribution of emergency relief checks of $500 per person for Oregonians who have applied for unemployment benefits and have not yet received their benefits from the Oregon Employment Department. Kotek and Courtney will ask for $35 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars to serve nearly 70,000 Oregonians who are still waiting for benefits from the state. The Legislative Emergency Board will meet on Tuesday, July 14 to consider this proposal, as well as other critical funding for Oregonians impacted by the pandemic. “People need help now,” Speaker Kotek said. “While the department works on processing all the claims, we can make sure desperate Oregonians get some direct cash assistance as soon as possible.” “This isn’t a fix, this is a band-aid,” President Courtney said. “We need to get cash into the hands of Oregonians who have been waiting on their benefits for months. As the department continues to clear claims, this money will help those who are still waiting.”

The proposal would direct the Department of Administrative Services to develop a simple process where Oregonians who have been waiting for benefits from the Oregon Employment Department can apply. The agency would then issue a $500 payment to those individuals as soon as possible. These one-time payments would not be linked to their future benefits. Individuals who have filed for, but not yet received, benefits from either the Unemployment Insurance program or the Pandemic Assistance Unemployment program would be eligible. The delays at the Oregon Employment Department are the result of the historically high number of claims filed since the start of the pandemic, the requirements of new benefits designed by the federal government, and the constraints of an inflexible legacy computer system. The emergency relief checks will provide some direct support to Oregonians while the agency continues to work through its backlog.

Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read to Join Sen. Roblan to chat OregonSaves and financial resiliency

OregonSaves is a state retirement program that provides Oregonians a unique opportunity to save for the future. Whether you are an employer who will facilitate the program or an individual planning for the future, OregonSaves is a simple way to get started. Treasurer Read will discuss the Treasury functions, importance of emergency savings, our suite of Oregon Treasury Savings Network programs (ABLE, College529, OregonSaves), and Oregon's minority owned small businesses.

Recently, Treasurer Read joined a call to include the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in any future coronavirus relief package, which would allow licensed cannabis businesses, their employees, and vendors to safely access traditional financial services. Which are currently, most of these businesses are forced to operate solely in cash.

To learn more join us:

What: KXCR 90.7 FM  "Fireside Chats" 

When: Tuesday, July 7th

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Join us live on Twitter and Instagram or tune into on KXCR ttps://www.twitch.tv/kxcr_streaming or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kxcr90.7/

Updates and Resources

Updates and Resources

The Joint Committee on Transparency in Policing and Use of Force met yesterday, the first of three committee meetings scheduled this week.  View the agenda and materials on the page here.  

• The Oregon office of Econ Analysis put together information on PPP distribution in Oregon and what sectors/regions etc. are receiving support.
• OPB reported that federal law enforcement was deployed in Portland to “protect federal buildings” during the protests.
• The Salem Reporter examined unemployment numbers and what workers are hardest hit.
• OHA is gearing up to add high level Behavioral Health staff (if you have trouble viewing, try opening in an incognito window).
• SB 1602, the bill that covered pesticide spraying and the agreements between timber industry groups and environmental groups. They dubbed the bill a “Big Day for Oregon.”
• OSHA is actively investigating many reports of face covering/covid-related violations.
• Mitch McConnel is pushing for a 5 year shield on liability for businesses related to coronavirus.
• DeVos criticized schools that aren’t yet planning to fully reopen in the fall.
• The BREATHE Act, a federal legislative proposal, is the culmination of a project led by the policy table of the Movement for Black Lives - a coalition of more than 150 organizations.
• Senator Wagner shared his reflections on Special Session with Pamplin Media.
• The Capital Insider and the Statesman Journal have covered some of the projects that will no longer be moving forward due to a lack of lottery revenue.
• CDC has recommended municipalities consider alternatives to in-person voting. A shareable article to consider in promoting our Vote by Mail system.
• In Ontario, a local restaurant has been working to help sustain the area’s meals on wheels program.
• Candace Avalos chairs the Portland’s Citizen Review Committee, and testified during the Special Session on Police oversight. She wrote an op-ed on giving police oversight boards “some teeth”.
• Landowners are working to file suits in order to prevent to Jordan Cove Pipeline and overturn the FERC decision.
• Federal charges have been filed against Portland protesters for vandalism etc. of federal buildings.
• The Willamette Week reported on how tear gas is also affecting nearby neighbors; They also covered the cost of housing and how the average income black family cannot afford a two bedroom rental in ANY of Portland’s neighborhoods.
• OPB spoke to local hip hop artists and discussed views on and contributions to racial justice protest
• The Oregonian reported on the rise in cases for Oregonians in their 20s and the Gazette Times noted Benton County cases are also trending younge
• OHA has shared testing guidance for the I/DD community to assist in understanding the process.

email: Sen.ArnieRoblan@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1705
address: 900 Court St NE, S-417, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/roblan