November 11, 2020 - Newsletter

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 11/10/2020 07:47 PM PST

November 11, 2020 - Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It is an honor and privilege to serve as your State Representative and I am grateful to have received the support to continue to represent the citizens of House District 18.

Honoring our Veterans and Giving Thanks for Service

Veterans Day Virtual Celebration Graphic

It has been my life's greatest honor to serve my country and my community. Today, we honor our nation's veterans who have served our country during war and in peace. Together, we express our gratitude for the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms and keep our nation safe.

This morning, November 11th at 11 a.m., please join the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs first-ever Virtual Statewide Veterans' Day Celebration to honor, remember, and celebrate all veterans. Streaming on the ODVA Facebook, the ceremony will include the singing of the national anthem by Miss Oregon USA Katerina Villegas, as well as remarks by Oregon Governor Kate Brown, ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick, and other special guests.

As a reminder, the Veteran Resource Navigator is available to assist veterans and their families in accessing federal, state, and local resources during the COVID-19 crisis. You can access this resource by clicking on the photo below. Please share it with veterans and families in need.

In the Virtual Capitol

Emergency Board

On Monday, the Legislative Emergency Board approved over $128 million in state Emergency funds and Coronavirus Relief Funds to support vulnerable Oregonians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Oregon's wildfires. A link to view the Emergency Board is found here.

The funding breakdown includes:

State Emergency Funds:

$35 million to support the Project Turnkey Statewide Pandemic and Homelessness Response. The Oregon Community Foundation will use funding to support the acquisition, retrofitting and potential operation of hotel and motel properties to be used as emergency shelter. This funding is in addition to $30 million the Emergency Board approved on October 23 to begin Project Turnkey in wildfire-affected areas.

Coronavirus Relief Funds:

$45 million for Childcare Provider Assistance to support the increased costs facing childcare providers responding to the economic and operational challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
$20 million for a third grant to the Oregon Community Foundation for the Oregon Worker Relief Fund, to make additional payments to workers who are ineligible for wage replacement payments from traditional unemployment insurance programs.
$20 million for additional financial assistance to small businesses economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Adding to the board's previously allocated $25.6 million for COVID-19 Emergency Business Assistance approved in July.
$5 million to help cover long term care provider costs for routine COVID-19 staff testing.
$2.4 million for one-time COVID-19 baseline testing of long term care facility staff and residents.
$1 million to support victims of domestic and sexual violence. Also, adding to the board's previously dedicated $2 million to support victims approved in April.

December Legislative Interim Committee Days

Given the COVID-19 health and safety challenges of in-person contact, the legislature will again meet virtually for interim committee hearings, December 7-18th. I continue to serve on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee, the Joint Committee on Transportation and the Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform. You can tune in and follow committee hearings on OLIS here.

COVID-19 Update

Help stop rapid spread of COVID-19 graphic

In response to the recent surge in COVID-19 infections, the Governor has placed nine counties on a two-week pause on social activities effective today. Five counties were announced last Friday and four more counties were added to the list on Monday. The nine counties are Baker, Clackamas, Jackson, Malheur, Marion, Multnomah, Umatilla, Union and Washington. The pause measures will be in effect from Nov. 11 through Nov. 25.

Our world has changed significantly this past year, as 2020 has presented challenges and loss beyond what any of us could have imagined. Giving thanks and finding hope in difficult and uncertain times can be hard. We must choose to remain optimistic and to draw on the power of our shared humanity to hold each other up in good times and in bad times as we work together to light the pathway to a brighter future. In this season to give thanks, there is much to be grateful for. I think of two recent stories reported from the district that highlight our communities strength and our ability to support one another in times of crisis. The story of the Hillbilly Brigade that sprang into action and saved Molalla from the raging wildfires, and the Mount Angel farming-community that is rallying around a family who received a tough diagnosis involving their young child. I am thankful for the everyday heroes among us.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with peace, joy, and gratitude as we usher in the holiday season.

Sincerely,

State Representative
House District 18
Oregon's Christmas Tree District

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-484, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis

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