July 21, 2020

Hello~

Last month when the announcement was made for the First 2020 Special Session I noted that I knew there would be a sequel. It appears that sequel is beginning to unfold. The release of the Co-Chairs budget proposal last week is the first, of which I anticipate to be many items, that will be taken up in the Second 2020 Special Session. Among other items are limited liability, police accountability and training, and it would not surprise me to see legislation around education. Stay tuned, there will be more to share on this topic as we near early August.

Co-Chair Budget Proposal Released

On July 16^th the three Co-Chairs of the Joint House/Senate Committee on Ways and Means released a proposal to reshape the budget for the remainder of the 2019-20 biennium (i.e., until the end of June 2021) Here is the proposed budget and explanation.

With the release of the budget framework Ways and Means Subcommittees have been scheduled to meet. Information will be/is available on OLIS at https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019I1 below is the schedule of meetings:

• Wednesday, July 22:
  • Natural Resources: 9 am-12 pm
  • General Government: 1-4 pm
• Thursday, July 23:
  • Education: 9 am-12 pm
  • Human Services: 1-4 pm
• Friday, July 24:
  • Public Safety: 9 am-12 pm
  • Transportation and Economic Development: 1-4 pm

The Budget Co-Chairs were asked by the Governor to protect the Education budgets as much as possible, and they were able to do that.  In order to do that, we are taking around $400 million from our Education Stability Fund under this framework. Governor Brown is hoping that additional federal dollars will be allocated. I believe we must begin to work to rebalance our budgets and this framework is a good first step to begin that work.

Emergency Board

On Tuesday, July 14^th, the Emergency Board met and voted to disperse over 200 million dollars in relief funds to Oregonians. A summary of actions includes:

• $25.6 million in emergency assistance for small businesses facing financial shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This supports businesses with no more than 25 employees that have not received support under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or other provisions of the federal CARES Act.
• $50 million to support music, culture, and community venues and organizations that have been closed, cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic.
• $62 million to the Oregon Cares Fund for Black Relief and Resiliency to provide economic relief to Black individuals and businesses. National and state data show that the Black community is one of the communities experiencing a disproportionate share of negative economic and health effects due to COVID-19.
• $30 million to the COVID-19 Leave Fund for workers who contract or have been exposed to the virus but do not qualify for traditional sick leave.
• $35 million to fund $500 Emergency Relief Checks to Oregonians who are still waiting for unemployment benefits.

Emergency Board also allocated $3.58 million in general funds for emergency water infrastructure to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as the tribe faces an ongoing water crisis. They are currently under a boil order due to the state of the water system.

Healthy Schools Reopening Council and other workgroups       

During the Interim I continue to serve on my Legislative Committees as well as several workgroups. As I have mentioned previously, I was asked by the Governor to serve on the Healthy Schools Reopening Council. The council had its first meeting on Tuesday, July 7^th and met again July 15^th.   We will be meeting several more times in the coming months. I continue to hear from my community on how important this issue is for the health and welfare of our students and teachers. As I mentioned before I welcome your comments and hope to continue to hear from you on this critically important item.  

In addition to the healthy schools council I also serve on the Alternative Behavioral Provider Work Group which met on Thursday, July 16^th .   We continue to work on how best to address the wide variety of professionals providing mental and behavioral health services. Addedly, I am on the Universal Access to Primary Care Work Group which will meet again on July 28^th. This work group is focused on how to improve access to primary care. These work groups are in conjunction with two of three the House committees on which I serve - Health Care and Behavioral Health Care.

New Employment Department Website

The Oregon Employment Department has a new website (found here) designed to help out-of-work Oregonians navigate the complex benefits system.

One of the features is the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section and accompanying search bar at the top. The new site now has compiled nearly 150 FAQs. This list of questions and answers is being frequently updated.

My office continues to try and assist constituents with their UI claims and answer questions. Receiving unemployment benefits continues to be a challenge for Oregonians we will continue to be a resource for HD 19.

In the interim if we can be of help to you as you navigate your state government please call or email. My door is always open and my staff, Pam McClain, Lena Prine, and I welcome your participation. As your state representative, I am here to listen, respond, and lead.

Yours truly,

Raquel Moore-Green                                                                                           Representative, HD19 South Salem, Turner, and Aumsville 

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1419
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-385, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.RaquelMooreGreen@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/moore-green  / FaceBook @reprmghd19