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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you are all staying safe and well, and enjoying the sun this week before things start to cool off again. As we continue to adapt to the public health crisis, we must take action to protects Oregonians and ensure access to critical services.
Below, you will find information about the new residential eviction moratorium through the end of this year, and updates from the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education on the school reopening community metrics.
Please also note that the deadline for completing your Census is now October 5th. If you have not returned your Census, I urge you to complete it as soon as possible. Finally, we are now nearing the one month mark before the November 3rd election. Please use the information below to double check your voter registration. If you need to register or update your registration, you must do so before October 13th.
Finally, I'm sure many of you watched the Presidential Debate as I did this week. The President's failure to condemn white supremacist groups is despicable, and an unacceptable abdication of basic leadership and responsibility. I am honored and humbled to work alongside my BIPOC colleagues, who have called on Oregon leaders to step up and denounce hate in our state, and who continue to act to dismantle systemic racism in the communities we call home. So let me say with no ambiguity: I condemn white supremacy.
After reaching record highs last week, COVID-19 infection rates have declined over the past few days. It is still too early to determine how gatherings over Labor Day weekend and wildfire evacuations have impacted our infections rates, however, state health officials have said that delays in COVID-19 testing have caused some unreliability in a crucial metric for school reopening – test positivity rate.
For this reason, the Oregon Department of Education announced that it’s allowing school districts to disregard test positivity rates from September when considering whether to open doors to limited in-person instruction. Clackamas County is one of seven counties currently eligible to do so. This is especially welcome news for our youngest and most vulnerable students who rely on the support they receive from being present for in-person educational instruction.
Last week, a federal court judge suspended the September 30th Census deadline, reinstating the October 31st deadline previously announced by presidential administration officials. However, the administration is now appealing the judge’s decision and states that the Census self-reporting deadline will now be on October 5th. As of right now, this means the Census will conclude on October 5th - if you have not yet done so, please fill out and submit your Census now.
As the deadline has changed multiple times, my message remains – fill out the Census today. I also encourage you to ask three friends if they have filled out the Census. If they haven’t, show them how, right then and there.
The sustained confusion around the Census timeline makes one thing painfully clear: the current administration continues to sabotage the Census in an attempt to exclude the vulnerable and historically undercounted. Any action that impedes those goals is action that threatens our democracy.
We rely on an accurate Census count to get critical funding and appropriate representation. We need these tools to keep our communities safe, healthy and thriving. Visit We Count Oregon to be counted, and click on the video below to learn from BIPOC Oregonians about why getting counted is so important.
The voter registration deadline in Oregon is October 13th, which is now only a couple of weeks away. Register to vote at this link on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website if you are not currently registered, and use My Vote to check or update your voter registration information. If you have been displaced by the wildfires, you can use this guide to learn how and where to receive your ballot.
Beginning in mid-October, you can also use this drop box locator if you choose to submit your ballot to an official secured ballot drop box site rather than sending it via USPS. Remember – no matter how you choose to return your ballot, have a plan in place and vote early if you can! Make sure to track your ballot, and reach out to your local election officials if you’re experiencing any difficulties. Also, share any challenges with ProPublica’s Electionland, who is tracking voting barriers across the United States.
Earlier this week, Governor Brown announced a new residential eviction moratorium, which will go through December 31st. The previous moratorium was set to expire on September 30th, but in light of the ongoing challenges from the pandemic and devastating wildfire season, it is crucial to ensure Oregonians are able to stay in their homes.
Click on the image below to read the full text of the Executive Order.
In this delicate moment, it continues to be critically important to take precautions against the spread of coronavirus. Now that we're heading into cold and flu season, many medical professionals are warning of the dangers of getting both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, and how it could cause catastrophic damage to patients' respiratory systems.
This is why it's so important this year to get your flu vaccination - doing so can keep you healthy and out of the hospital where you could be exposed to COVID-19. Please get a flu shot if you are able to, and follow the three W’s: wash your hands, wear your mask and watch your distance. This way we can stay safe and healthy, and prevent further serious disruption to our kids’ school year.
Mental Health and Domestic Violence Resources:
The state of the world can pose mental health challenges that make it harder to reach out to our support systems. If you're struggling to cope in these stressful times, consider reaching out to one of these resources:
- To reach the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
- If you or a loved one is in crisis, dial Call 800-273-TALK (8255) or go to this link.
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.
- You can also visit thehotline.org, but for your safety please be aware that computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear.
- If you are LGBTQ+ identifying and are in crisis, please contact the Trevor Lifeline.
As always, please let me know if you need any assistance. My office and I will work to connect you with resources and get answers as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
 Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner
Senate District 19
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1719
address: 900 Court St NE, S-213, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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