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Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Updates
Oregon Joins Western States Pact in Testing Exposure Notification Technology
From the Oregon Health Authority
Governor Kate Brown announced last week that Oregon has joined with Western States Pact members California, Washington, Colorado and Nevada in a pilot project to test COVID-19 exposure notification technology. The pilot project will test the Exposure Notification Express mobile application developed by Google and Apple. For those who voluntarily choose to use the exposure notification technology, the app confidentially notifies individuals who may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus. Privacy and security are central to the design of the technology, which does not collect location data from any device and never shares user identities. Users must opt in to the technology.
“Knowledge is power when it comes to stopping the spread of COVID-19, and this pilot project will help people make informed decisions to keep themselves healthy, while still protecting individual privacy,” said Governor Brown. “COVID-19 knows no state borders, and my goal is to make sure, if more widely implemented, this exposure notification technology is made available to those communities that have been disproportionately impacted by this disease — Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Pacific Islander and Tribal communities, as well as those living in the rural parts of our states.”
Weekly Testing Summaries
The Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 site continues to be a source of great information and data on the course of the pandemic in Oregon. Visit the pages below to see weekly data from the beginning of the pandemic to the current week.
- Testing totals for the prior week(s)
- Test positivity statewide (cumulative)
- Test positivity statewide for the prior week (same location as #1)
 Flu Vaccinations and COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, getting a flu shot matters more than ever to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your entire community. Now through October is the best time to get yours. I received my flu shot in my doctor’s office on September 2nd for early protection.
  Visit vaccinefinder.org to find a clinic near you.
Wildfire Updates
Governor Kate Brown Issues Vetoes to Preserve Over $65 Million for Wildfire Response, Maintain Balanced Budget
Sunday, Governor Kate Brown issued vetoes of several line-item appropriations in order to preserve funding for the state's ongoing emergency wildfire response efforts and maintain a balanced budget.
Combined, the vetoes will preserve over $65 million, improving the state’s ending balance to total $164.3 million in general funds and $16.7 million in lottery funds. In order to expedite an immediate relief package by the Legislature’s Emergency Board, the Governor has also requested that legislators reserve at least $150 million in the state’s emergency fund for upcoming requests relating to the fires.
"When it became apparent that COVID-19 disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Tribal communities in Oregon, the Legislature and I worked together to steer Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars to those communities," said Governor Brown. "Now, we must work together to help Oregonians who have lost everything from these fires.”
"Until we understand the total impacts and costs, we must help Oregonians while being judicious with our funds," added Governor Brown. "In light of the current wildfires state of emergency, which occurred after the adjournment of the Second Special Session, I am exercising my veto authority to ensure that state agencies fighting wildfires have necessary resources for responding to this emergency."
Under Article 5, Section 15b of the Oregon Constitution the Governor must provide at least five days of notice before vetoing a bill. Governor Brown's notice of her vetoes, issued September 14, is available here .
Under Article V, section 15a of the Oregon Constitution, the Governor is granted the “power to veto single items in appropriation bills . . . without thereby affecting any other provision of such bill.” Both Senate Bill 5723 and House Bill 4304 are appropriation bills.
Governor Brown's full veto letter, signed and submitted to the Secretary of State's Office, is available here.
Wildfire Information and Resource Links
Washington County Resources
Additional Resources
- Wildfire Resources
- Current conditions:
- Mental Health Resources:
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Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7 free and confidential disaster crisis counseling to anyone in the United States at 1-800-985-5990
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Oregon Behavioral Health Support Line offers free confidential support to Oregonians at 1-800-923-HELP (4357)
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Lines for Life offers 24-hour crisis support for drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and thoughts of suicide to youth, military personnel and their families, and those affected by substance abuse at 1-800-273-8255
- Air Quality and Health
Ways To Help
Help Protect our Farmers and Farm Workers
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We are so fortunate that here in our local area, the air quality has improved. Yet many places in the Willamette Valley continue to be under Unhealthy Air Quality including many farms that we rely on for food in the state. Support PCUN Emergency Fund and sign up to help make kits with a local community leader coordinating a drive. Read more about the effort here.
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Unemployment Updates
PUA Forms Available in Several Languages
The Oregon Employment Department has been working to make sure Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) forms are available in various languages. As of 9/17, the online PUA form is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Russian.
 Childcare Updates
COVID-19 Child Care Resources for Families
From Multnomah Education Service District
 FIND CHILD CARE
Call: 211 or 1-866-698-6155
Text: keyword "children" or "niños" to 898211 (TXT211)
Email: children@211info.org
Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-11pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am-8pm
Search for child care providers: https://tinyurl.com/FindChildCare
FOR HELP AFFORDING CHILD CARE, APPLY FOR ERDC
Employment-Related Day Care is a subsidy to help parents and other
caretakers afford child care. ERDC will pay a maximum of $1,415 / month to
providers for each eligible child in the family, depending on child age, provider
type, and location within the state.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DHS SELF-SUFFICIENCY OFFICE:
https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Offices/Pages/Self-Sufficiency.aspx
211 (above) can also help you apply
Apply soon for maximum benefit opportunities! Visit here for more information.
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
 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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