Public Hearings on UI Benefits

Next week the Senate Committee on Labor and Business will hold hearings with the Oregon Employment Department to learn about their administration challenges, what changes they have made to respond to those challenges and how they will prepare for the future and adjust agency practices with the changing realities of the ongoing public health emergency. Leaders in Oregon have been calling for further federal assistance to states and individuals, and the committee will also discuss the agency’s readiness for administration of future federal dollars.

Oregonians have been out of work and many still are waiting for their unemployment insurance benefits. To address these challenges, Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) announced last week that the Senate Committee on Labor and Business will hold hearings in order to review the Oregon Employment Department’s (OED) administration of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, including benefits provided under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The committee, chaired by Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland), will meet at 8am on September 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd with September 3^rd reserved solely to hear directly from Oregonians who have applied for UI benefits. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the committee will hear from OED regarding its process for delivering UI benefits to applicants, the complications that it has faced in processing applications and distributing funds, and what the agency’s plans and needs are to improve delivery of benefits.

Visit the agenda page to learn how to provide testimony in writing or live to the committee.

Filling out the Census means Oregon can receive the resources, funding and representation our state deserves.

Every ten years, a nation-wide Census is conducted. The purpose of the Census is to get an accurate tally of everyone in the United States and where they’re living.  The federal government uses this information to distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year. Oregon and our local governments also use that information to invest in schools, public health and other critical resources and supports.

The Census data also helps determine how the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are divided among the 50 states and informs decisions about redistricting.

It can feel like a lot of questions, and the Census Bureau has useful information on why they ask and how their legal requirement to keep your information confidential no matter what.

We Count Oregon is our state’s effort to ensure Oregon has an accurate count. I encourage you to share the website and information with your networks.

The Census is available online, over the phone and by mail. Follow this link to learn how to access these options.

Of course, due to COVID-19 collecting Census data has been challenging. You can do your part by telling your community about the Census and sharing the resources so they can fill it out safely, from home.

Oregon reports 301 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 9 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed nine more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 447, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 301 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 26,054.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (1), Clackamas (27), Coos (4), Deschutes (7), Douglas (3), Jackson (14), Jefferson (3), Josephine (1), Klamath (4), Lane (10), Lincoln (4), Linn (5), Malheur (37), Marion (43), Morrow (9), Multnomah (72), Polk (9), Umatilla (20), Union (2), Washington (20), and Yamhill (5).

Oregon’s 439^th COVID-19 death is an 84-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 20 and died on Aug. 27, at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 440^th COVID-19 death is a 50-year-old man in Washington County who tested positive on June 4 and died on Aug. 23. More information about place of death is being confirmed. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 441^st COVID-19 death is a 73-year-old man in Umatilla County who tested positive on Aug. 9 and died on Aug. 23, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington. The presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 442^nd COVID-19 death is a 54-year-old man in Umatilla County who tested positive on Aug. 23 and died on Aug. 26, at St. Anthony Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 443^rd COVID-19 death is a 94-year-old man in Polk County who tested positive on Aug. 11 and died on Aug. 25, in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 444^th COVID-19 death is a 73-year-old woman in Malheur County who died on Aug. 1. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.

Oregon’s 445^th COVID-19 death is a 78-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on July 26 and died on Aug. 15, in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 446^th COVID-19 death is a 97-year-old woman in Malheur County who tested positive on Aug. 11 and died on Aug. 13, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 447^th COVID-19 death is a 29-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Aug. 22, at OHSU Hospital. He did not have underlying conditions.

Workplace Outbreak reported

An outbreak of 25 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at Milgard Windows and Doors in Washington County. The case count includes all persons linked to the outbreak, which may include household members and other close contacts to an employee.  The outbreak investigation started on Aug. 21, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure. State and county public health officials are working with the company to address the outbreak and protect the health of workers.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

Fireside Chats:

With the cooperation and participation of KXCR, Florence Community Radio, we created the Fireside Chats - a weekly discussion series around the pandemic, principles of equity and the necessary actions we must take to slow the spread of COVID-19.  Borrowing a theme from one of radio's historical legacies left to us by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the “Fireside Chats”, these programs are designed to inform and educate us about the workers and businesses most impacted by the pandemic.  

Please join us next Tuesday at 5 pm for our live, virtual KXCR 90.7 Fireside Chat on Oregon's economic challenges and our recovery from COVID-19 pandemic as Senator Arnie Roblan and his guests unpack how local businesses are adapting to a changing economy.

What:  "Fireside Chats"

When: Tuesday, September 1st

Time:   5:00 p.m. 

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

Once again, thank you for joining Sen. Roblan for these very constructive discussions. Your participation helped make KXCR’s Fireside Chat one of the most talked about programs in providing the critical information and resources to help Oregonians during this unprecedented time. Please subscribe to KXCR’s newsletter to keep up to date on future shows.

Updates:

• The Oregon office of Economic Analysis’ graph of the week/blog looked at challenges parents are facing working from home.
• And Pamplin reported on parents’ uncertainty approaching the school year.
• Demonstrators with Aim For Total Equality Revolution based in Portland marched all the way to Mahonia Hall seeking to differentiate from “rioters” who break windows etc. and be clear that those actions are not BLM.
• ACLU has sued the Feds citing excessive use of force.
• OHSU is ending their Key to Oregon study as it lacked representation of minorities.
• Marion County is working to boost testing, starting in Woodburn.
• Governor Brown is considering the commutation of 400 inmates.
• Two inmates died in Eastern Oregon from COVID-19 on the same day.
• OSU is expanding their wastewater COVID-19 testing.
• OPB discussed Joseph Lane, and how a county in Oregon is named after a confederate sympathizer.
• Street Roots wrote a tribute, remembering Genny Nelson.
• And the emergency manager at Warm Springs spoke with OPB about the drinking water/COVID/wildfire challenges the tribe is dealing with
• Governor Brown pulled Multnomah and Hood River from the County Watch List.
• During his media briefing today, Dr. Dean Sidelinger described a couple of instances where group gatherings have had big ramifications in terms of COVID-19 spread. Including a beach gathering that led to over 300 cases.
• PBJ did an interesting profile on the pandemic’s impact on rural Oregon.
• WW wrote about the difficulties getting prison guards to wear masks last month and the ramifications.
• OHA is asking Oregonians to reconsider their Labor Day plans.
• OPB profiled the racist history behind “riot” declarations.
• Politics Now covered Portland/Oregon’s role at the RNC this past week.
• The appeals court suspended protections for journalists/legal observers at protests and 74 individuals are facing federal charges.
• In addition, have had their tires punctured by law enforcement during nightly protests.
• Nearly 6,000 applied to The Oregon Cares Fund within 3 days, keep spreading the word!
• Ruth Bader Ginsberg will receive the Liberty Medal this year.
• An environmental group based in Astoria is preparing to sue Facebook over the abandoned equipment etc. in Tierra del Mar, and opposition groups continue to pursue their lawsuit over the governor’s carbon regulations.
• Oregon and Washington created a reciprocity agreement for general electricians.
• An evacuation orders are in effect in Wasco Co. due to the White River fire.
• And a federal judge in Washington has ordered USPS to provide records on their service changes.

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