COVID-19 Updates 7/28/2020

Rep. Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

Legislative Updates

Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety

I was honored to preside over my first committee hearing this past Friday and hear from Oregonians across the state give public testimony on the proposed budget rebalance. If you missed watching Friday's hearing live, you can watch it here. The next steps will be to further discuss the proposed action items with my fellow committee members and move the proposals on to Special Session, which the Governor may call for in August.

Sub Pub Safety

Unemployment Updates

CARES Act Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Has Ended

CARES Act Update

For the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs during this global pandemic, it is critical that Congress extend the $600 unemployment payments. Working people are suffering and it is up to Congress to not delay in making this right. For those of you still waiting for your unemployment payments, the good news is the $600 payment will be retroactive. 

There are local resources available that may be able to help counter the loss of extra income. It helps to have a plan in place now, with either your landlord or mortgage lender, in case you cannot make a rental or housing payment later. Oregon is still under a statewide eviction moratorium until September 30 and many banks are willing to work with their customers to come up with a plan that will help. Renters can use this FAQ and sample contact form, provided by OregonLawHelp.org, to aid in working with their landlord. 

For further rental assistance, contact Community Action or 211.org.

For food assistance:

Public Safety Updates

On Saturday, August 1, at 10 am, the Hillsboro City Council will host a special meeting on Zoom focused on receiving public comments on policing and public safety in our community.

To speak to the Council, you can email your name, Zoom name and/or telephone number to Council@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov. You can also sign up during the beginning of these online Council meetings by texting the number on the screen. You will have up to three minutes per person to address the full Council. Groups can request to combine time into one speaker.

Housing Updates

Oregon awarded $75 million for affordable housing. See the full article in the Portland Tribune. A housing development in Susan McLain’s district (29) in Hillsboro will benefit. Alder Commons is under development. This is good news for Hillsboro and residents.

Community Outreach

Hillsboro Public Library-Expanded HPL To Go Hours!

Starting Monday, July 27 – expanded hours! Monday through Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm

Hillsboro Library

Goodbye scheduled pickup. Hello drop by pickup and service! 

  • HPL To Go: 12 to 6 pm daily
  • Starting Monday, July 27!
  • For questions, call the Hillsboro Public Library at 503-615-6500.

Information to prepare for your visit

  • For holds pickup, appointments no longer necessary, bring the library card(s) for any holds you are picking up.
  • Please note the Library buildings and restrooms are not accessible at this time.
  • You will see a table at our entrance where you can safely interact with staff and pick up your holds.
  • We will be practicing physical distancing and all staff you interact with will be wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Learn more about our City's safety recommendations.
  • Directional signage will guide you to maintain safe distancing.
  • Please send just one family member or representative to pick up your holds when possible.
  • Items will be held for 10 days — contact us if you need an extension or to cancel any current holds.

Book Bundles are now available

  • Pick up a surprise book bundle when you come during HPL To Go hours.
  • Each bundle contains a variety of books or movies bundled by genre and age and includes 4 to 6 items for you.
  • Offerings change daily so drop and see what surprise bundle is waiting for you to check out!

Returning Materials

  • Our book drops are open for 24/7 returns. 
  • All materials will be quarantined for 96 hours before being checked in and removed from your account.
  • The quarantine period is based on recommendations from Washington County's Public Health Division and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

All physical materials checked out before March 20 are due on August 31. To help our patrons, no late fees will be charged through September 30.

Visit here for more library information.

Metro Needs Your Help!

Metro

Please help guide programs and resources for how children travel to and from school in Hillsboro by taking Metro's survey.

The Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals is Open by Appointment

Rice Museum

The Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals reopened to the public earlier this month. 

The museum is working with OSHA, CDC, Washington County HHS, and the Oregon Museum Association (OMA) to stay up to date on best practices and safety guidelines.

Appointments are required to visit the museum at this time. Visit here to schedule a time. 

Hillsboro Hops Summer Camp

Hops

The Hillsboro Hops are hosting a summer camp! Details are below. Please email Hannah August (HannahA@hillsborohops.com) for additional questions.

  • August 10-14, 2020
  • 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • $185 for the week
  • Must Pre-Register by August 6th
  • Located at Ron Tonkin Field
  • Ages: 6-11

Activities: Activities will be planned with physical distancing in mind and include STEM, Sports, Music, Games, Arts&Crafts and more fun topics. All activities will take place outdoors.

Register here.

Barley

Additional Resources

 House District 30 Links

Federal Delegation Links

Education Links

Utilities Assistance

Food and Housing Assistance

Remember to keep wearing your mask. The days have turned sunny and hot, but that does not mean it is time to relax your mask wearing habit. Masks are now required statewide for indoor public spaces and in outdoor public spaces when you are not able to physical distance with people aged 5 and up that do not live in your household. See the full guidance and best practices for mask wearing here.

A friend and her husband were playing disc golf with their two two dogs at Orchard Park yesterday. They were all by themselves on the course, when a lady who was walking on the path (far from them) sarcastically yelled, “nice masks” (they were not wearing masks). As my friend pointed out, this type of response won't help people feel better about wearing masks. They were outdoors, far away from others and masks were not necessary in that moment (they had them in their pocket, ready to use).  Please remember to practice patience and grace through all this and remember to wear masks where they are best recommended to be worn for safety.

In order to have a healthy economy in Oregon, we need Oregonians to be healthy. We can do this. Compared to other states, our actions have kept a lot of people from getting sick and our hospitals from being overwhelmed. We will all get through this together. This is temporary.

Mask Facts

Be good to yourself and each other. ❤

Onward & Upward,

Janeen

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