|
Friends ~
It is an honor to have received the vote of the citizens of House District 19 to continue to represent you in the state legislature. In addition to meeting the needs of constituents as they access state resources, I look forward to my ongoing work in health care, public safety, mental health, and education policy.
As you are reading this newsletter we are entering the “freeze” called by the Governor earlier this month to stem the tide of the spread of COVID19 once again, as not to overwhelm our hospitals. Many of my colleagues and I have written the Governor to express our concerns which range from overreach of the executive branch, inconsistent application of restrictions, to increased testing. This we know for certain that some businesses will not be able to stay afloat for a second, albeit shorter, shutdown. While not the outcome any of us desire it has become an all too common reality.
|
The wildfire recovery in the Santiam Canyon is ongoing. If FEMA and the state are on task they should be entering the ash and trash phase of clean-up. There is a weekly meeting of the Regional Solutions Team, specifically focused on the canyon which I attend. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance the SIT Team, a part of the Santiam Hospital is reliable resource. They can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/SCWRfund Weekly updates on the recovery of all the wildfires throughout Oregon can be found at: www.Wildfire.Oregon.Gov
The stress and strains of the last 9 months have taken its toll on our children, our personal relationships, our workplaces, our friends, and neighbors. If you or a loved one would like to speak with someone about your situation Marion County Mental Health is a good place to start: https://www.co.marion.or.us/HLT/MH/Pages/default.aspxr. The holidays can either lift us up and propel us on or cause us to sink further. Please know your mental health is just as important as your blood pressure.
December brings with it our final set of legislative days. These days are set aside for committee meetings where we receive reports and updates, as well as hear firsthand some of the potential legislation for the 2021 session. House committees will meet virtually the week of December 14th. You may watch the proceedings via OLIS: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019I1
At this time, the arrangements for the 2021 session are being designed with the health and safety of all participants in the forefront. I do know that the session needs to be open and accessible for all Oregonians. We must have a legislative session that is transparent. This means that the Capitol building is open for business, committee meetings are held in person and testimony can be given in person. We must ensure the public is part of the process in crafting legislation and that legislators have access to one another, the public, and the lobby. The average number of bills in a regular session has grown over the years as well as the complexity of the proposed legislation. The ability to truly understand bills, examine the merits and build consensus or not is essential. It cannot and should not be done virtually. I am hopeful that the leadership will keep these ideals in place as they finalize plans.
In the interim if we can be of help to you as you navigate your state government please call or email. My door is always open and my staff, Pam McClain, Lena Prine, and I welcome your participation. As your state representative, I am here to listen, respond, and lead.
Wishing you and your families a very peaceful Thanksgiving,
 Raquel Moore-Green
Representative HD19, South Salem, Aumsville and Turner
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1419
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-385, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.RaquelMooreGreen@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/moore-green
Resources and Useful Information
Employment Department Freeze Update
Preparing for an influx: Initial and Restarted Claims
We anticipate an increase in the next few weeks of both initial UI claims and restarted claims. The Employment Department is ready to help claimants who need assistance.
- New Initial Claims –
- Go to the https://Unemployment.oregon.gov website for help. On the left side, are links to step-by-step application guides/videos, the Unemployed Worker Handbook, FAQs, and online applications for regular unemployment benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
- The https://Unemployment.oregon.gov website also has a search function where you can search for what you need.
- Initial claims can be filed here on the Online Claim System https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ocs4/
- Can’t find what you are looking for? Use the Contact Us form
- Restarting Claims -
- Our Online Claim System here has a Restart Your Claim option (it’s the 8th button down).
- For more information on restarting claims or moving to a new benefit program, visit this FAQ.
- Use the Contact Us form and check the Restarting my claim option if you are unable to restart your own claim.
Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association Seeks Solutions Beyond Shutting Down, Putting People Out of Work
ORLA’s statement can be read here: https://www.oregonrla.org/blog/indoor-and-outdoor-dining-shutdown-will-permanently-close-restaurants
Emergency Small Business Assistance Fund
After four previous rounds of funding for the Emergency Small Business Assistance Fund program, the Oregon legislature and Governor Kate Brown approved $20 million more to Business Oregon’s Emergency Business Assistance Grant Fund. More details can be found here.
| 
