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Dear friends,
Through pandemic and fires and national political turmoil, we made it to October together! Although Halloween and other holidays will look different this year, it doesn't mean they will be without joy. The Oregon Health Authority shares these tips for a safe (but still spooky and fun) Halloween.
Tomorrow, October 13, is the final day for Oregonians to register to vote or update their registration before November 3. It's quick and easy using www.beregistered.org up until 11:59 p.m. Make sure your voice is heard in November's election!
I'm happy to report that FEMA assistance for removing and disposing hazardous materials and solid waste debris from the wildfires has been approved. This is known as "Category A assistance" and follows a September 24 letter from Oregon's congressional delegation to the head of FEMA.
You can tune into KNND's Beeper Show the first Monday of each month at 9 a.m. to hear my monthly legislative updates and to share your questions with me. (Of course, you can always direct your questions to me by e-mail.) I also join KQEN's "Inside Douglas County" on a regular basis to share the latest on state COVID-19 response and political happenings. You can listen to my latest interview with Kyle Bailey here.
Below you will find information on:
- September Revenue Forecast
- Legal Assistance with Wildfire Insurance Claims
- Scam Alert: Avoid Wildfire Donation Scams
- State of Oregon COVID-19 Emergency Small Business Grant, Round 4
- Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15 –– Help is Available
- Cultural Trust Announces $25.7 Million in Cultural Support
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
September Revenue Forecast
The September 2020 Economic and Revenue Forecast was released at a joint virtual meeting of the Senate and House Revenue Committees. This forecast, summarized below, shows that while Oregon's economy is recovering from the COVID-19 economic hit more quickly than expected, our state is still in a recession and faces one of our most challenging ever budget cycles. With low-income workers hit hardest by the COVID-19, I am committed to ensuring all Oregonians recover and that we do not exacerbate pre-existing disparities.
Revenue Outlook
The projected combined ending balance for the 2019-21 biennium is up $2,378.1 million from the June 2020 forecast. The current projected ending balance is $1,714 million compared to June's projected ending balance of negative $665 million. The projected ending balance is also up $1,208.7 million from the 2019 Close-of-Session estimate.
Oregon's Rainy Day Fund is projected to receive $218.6 million following the end of the 2019-21 biennium. Projected 2019-21 lottery resources are also up $149.7 million since the June 2020 forecast.
The projected ending balances for the reserve accounts for the 2019-21 biennium are as follows: Education Stability Fund ($424.4 million), Rainy Day Fund ($952.2 million) and General Fund ($1.71 billion). This totals $3.090 billion in reserves.
Kicker Outlook
Currently, no personal kicker is projected for 2021. The projected corporate kicker of $139.7 million is to be dedicated to K-12 education spending in in the 2021-23 Biennium.
Economic Outlook
Oregon's economy and that of the U.S. as a whole remains in a Great Recession-sized hole. Lower-income households have borne the brunt of the recession. The combination of higher-income households being less impacted to date, along with the large federal support means consumer spending and tax collections have held up much better than expected. Overall, the current state of the economy is much better than feared at the time of the previous forecast. However, the economic outlook for the next few years ahead only improved modestly. Oregon's Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) expects Oregon’s labor market to return to health during the summer of 2023, or one year faster than assumed last forecast.
The strong economic growth in recent months is encouraging, as many workers on temporary layoffs are recalled. However, normally it takes a year or two for the recessionary shock to work its way through the economy. OEA expects economic growth to slow noticeably later this fall and through the winter. The combination of the easy reopening gains playing out, loss of federal support, and worries over the spread of the virus as we move indoors during the cold months will likely weigh on economic gains.
Forecast Risks
OEA has identified multiple risks to monitor regarding Oregon's economic and revenue outlook, including wildfires, pandemic response, protests, and drought. Despite these risks, Oregon likely stands to benefit as more and more people opt to work from home during the pandemic.
Legal Assistance with Wildfire Insurance Claims
More than 70 members of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) are volunteering to help wildfire victims –– small business owners, homeowners and renters –– in filing insurance claims for fire-related damage. OTLA attorneys have visited fire-affected communities, including Lane and Douglas counties, and are providing virtual consultations via a hotline (800-809-0616) and e-mail (OTLAFireHelp@gmail.com).
Scam Alert: Avoid Wildfire Donation Scams
Oregon's Attorney General is advising the public to be aware of potential charitable scams related to wildfire recovery.
Several of Oregon's leading charities have joined together to create the 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund. Oregonians are encouraged to give to that organization or to similar organizations they know are actively involved in relief efforts, including local United Ways that have been most impacted by the wildfires. For anyone interested in other giving options, the Attorney General advises giving wisely and avoiding potential scams by following five tips:
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Do research. There are more than 1 million charities registered with the IRS. Check visiting one of the following websites:
- Give to registered charities. Before giving, check the Oregon Department of Justice database or call 971-673-1880 to confirm the organization is properly registered with the Oregon Department of Justice.
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Monetary donations are usually preferred. Organizations can usually accomplish the most with financial donations. Managing and storing gifts of clothing, food, and household items can often strain limited resources. Before donating those kinds of supplies, check in with the organization to make sure they can make use of those donations. Monetary gifts are always appreciated.
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Be wary of phone, e-mail or door-to-door solicitations. Some scam artists may take advantage of current circumstances by soliciting in these ways. Resist high-pressure appeals for donations and don't send cash or respond to requests to purchase and send gift cards.
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Remember that not all gifts are tax-deductible. Only gifts to charities that have IRS 501(c)(3) status are tax-deductible. Check the IRS database to ensure your gift goes to a qualified organization. Make sure the charity provides written confirmation of a donation. Then keep your records. Gifts to individuals through GoFundMe and similar platforms are not tax-deductible.
For additional giving tips, please visit https://www.doj.state.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wise_giving_guide.pdf. If you have concerns about a solicitation, please file a complaint online or call the Charitable Activities Section at 971-673-1880.
State of Oregon COVID-19 Emergency Small Business Grant, Round 4
Businesses with 25 or fewer employees that received less than $100,000 in Federal CARES Act funds are eligible to apply for a State of Oregon Emergency Small Business Grant, Round 4. This is a change from previous Rounds of State funds, in which businesses that had received any PPP or EIDL funds were ineligible. Round 4 funds will be disbursed on a first-come first-served basis.
Full criteria list and additional details are provided in the application document, which is available at https://communitylendingworks.org/emergency-state-covid/. Note that there are two different applications: one for businesses that have not previously received an award from the state's COVID fund; and another for those that have.
https://communitylendingworks.org/emergency-state-covid/
Interested businesses should act quickly. E-mail Robert Killen, Director of the Lane Small Business Development Center, with any questions.
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15 –– Help is Available
Each October, open enrollment begins for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. Medicare plans and drug formularies change each year, so it is important for Oregonians who are enrolled in Medicare to evaluate their plan options and make changes during open enrollment, which is from October 15 to December 7.
The Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is still available to help, but only remotely at this time because of the pandemic.
To limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep counselors and vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries safe, SHIBA will be providing only phone, e-mail, and web meeting counseling sessions until further notice. All Medicare open enrollment information sessions will be held virtually through live and recorded webinars available on SHIBA's website, SHIBA.Oregon.gov.
SHIBA counselors can help Oregonians navigate the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool to enter prescriptions and compare the cost and benefits of individual drug plans, provide enrollment guidance, and answer any other questions related to Medicare benefits. SHIBA's 2021 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on SHIBA.Oregon.gov by October 15 and in limited print copies in November. Find local help by calling 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or visiting SHIBA's website.
Cultural Trust Announces $25.7 Million in Cultural Support
COVID-19 Relief Fund Cultural Support (CRFCS) grant awards totaling $25.7 million will be distributed to 621 cultural organizations across Oregon through a partnership between the Oregon Cultural Trust and its County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions. The funds, allocated to the Cultural Trust for Oregon cultural organizations facing losses due to the COVID-19 health crisis, were made available through a $50 million relief package for Oregon culture approved by the Legislature's Emergency Board in July.
In Senate District 4, organizations receiving supports are the Douglas County Cultural Coalition ($102,606) and the Lane County Cultural Coalition ($2,575,914).
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