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Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Updates
Governor Kate Brown Announces $55 Million in Financial Assistance to Support Oregon Businesses
Governor Kate Brown announced this week that the state will commit $55 million in financial assistance to support Oregon businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. These funds will be allocated to counties to distribute to businesses who have been financially impacted, with a priority for the hospitality industry, businesses impacted by the freeze, small businesses, and women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Tribal-owned businesses.
“Our iconic main street businesses have sacrificed too much already in this pandemic,” said Governor Brown. “While we have invested over $100 million in Oregon businesses so far, we must find additional resources to deploy quickly to help businesses that are suffering, particularly our small businesses and those owned by Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Tribal members. I know that this is not enough. I remain committed to fighting for additional resources at the federal level, including a reauthorization of the important features of the CARES Act, like the Payroll Protection Program and an extension of unemployment insurance benefits.”
The $55 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds will be allocated to counties, with each county receiving a base of $500,000 plus a per capita allocation of the remainder of the funds. The counties will be responsible for deciding how businesses apply to receive funds and communicating the application process to businesses.
The Governor’s Office anticipates that funds will be distributed to counties within the next several weeks. Businesses who are interested in applying should contact their county for more information.
Mental Health and Well-Being
The fear and uncertainty we have all experienced over the last eight months can take a toll on our physical, emotional and mental health. Please make sure that you are doing all you can to take care of yourself during these stressful times. Below is a list of resources compiled by the Oregon Health Authority. Read this article "Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty" to find more tips for self care.
Lines for Life
Lines for Life is a suicide prevention organization with specific resources for youth, military personnel and their families, and those affected by substance abuse problems. Visit www.linesforlife.org or call one of their helplines.
- Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish
- Alcohol and Drug Helpline: 1-800-923-4357
- Military Helpline: 1-888-457-4838
- Youthline: 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863
LGBTQ+
Resources by County: Visit OHA's crisis lines page to find local crisis services in your county.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: Visit www.ocadsv.org/find-help for resources in Oregon or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Safe + Strong Helpline and Resources
The Safe + Strong Helpline, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, is an emotional support and resource referral line that can assist anyone who is struggling and seeking support. Callers do not need to be in a crisis to contact this line. Help is free and available 24/7. Language interpreters are available.
Safe + Strong Helpline: 1-800-923-HELP (4357)
For web-based resources in 12 different languages, visit the Safe + Strong website.
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 Oregon Health Authority Updates
Weekly Report
From the Oregon Health Authority
In the latest Weekly Report OHA reports that during the week of Nov. 9 through Nov. 15, OHA recorded 6,491 new cases of COVID-19 infection—a 25% increase over the previous record-high week.
The percentage of positive tests for COVD-19 increased to 12.5% from 11.9%, even with an increase in the number of people tested.
Weekly hospitalizations from COVID-19 rose to 291, the highest yet reported in the pandemic.
There were fewer deaths, 31, associated with COVID-19 than the previous week’s record high of 42.
People aged 20 to 49 accounted for 51% of the cases, while people 70 and older accounted for 75% of deaths.
Read the Weekly Report here.
 Ideas for Celebrating Holiday Meals Safely
From the Oregon Health Authority
Gathering around a table for a holiday meal will look different this year. During the freeze, only two households can gather together with no more than six people together total. Remember it’s safest to enjoy your holiday meal with only the people you live with.
If you choose to celebrate with the lowest risk for spreading COVID-19, here are some ideas:
- Join friends and family over a video call. Setting the computer at the end of your tables can make it look like you’re all at a long table together.
- Cook a pie or favorite dish and drop it off on your loved one’s home without contact.
- Exchange photos of the people (or food) at your meal with the people you would normally invite.
- Send an email or letter with stories or memories from past holidays to let people know you’re thinking of them.
If you do decide to gather with another household at your home, the graphic below has suggestions for eating together safely.
 Small Business Updates
Emergency Small Business Assistance Fund
From Business Oregon
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.
This round makes some changes to previous rounds of grant funding under the program, so that businesses not eligible in earlier rounds can now access grant funding. Businesses with up to 100 employees can apply, whereas previous funding was limited to those with up to 25 employees, to ensure the smallest business could access the funds first.
Most previous rounds also targeted businesses that did not already receive assistance through the CARES Act (such as PPP, EIDL, City of Portland Small Relief Program, the Oregon Cares Fund for Black Relief + Resiliency and other programs funded with CARES Act funds). This round will now consider applications from businesses with 1 to 25 employees that have already received anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million in funding from these federal resources. Businesses with 25 to 100 employees are eligible regardless of the amount of federal resources they received (up to $1,000,000), if they meet other program requirements.
For more information and to apply, visit Business Oregon here.
Keys to having a successful and complete application include being prepared to provide:
- Financial statements (P&L/Income Statements) for comparable periods in 2019 and 2020 demonstrating a 25% decline in revenues/sales (between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020) unless the business was required to close under Executive Order (EO) 20-12 and EO 20-65 (revenue/sales verification waived for these businesses.
- Loan documents for PPP & EIDL loans.
- Oregon Employment Department (OED) Form 132 to verify employment (Q4 2019, Q1 2020, Q2 2020 or Q3 2020).
Businesses will need to know the total employee hours reported to Oregon Employment Department, and total amount of federal PPP, EIDL and EIDLA awards to complete the application.
Supporting documentation will not need to be required to submit an application today but will be necessary to be provided by December 1 so our team can finalize awards shortly thereafter.
December Revenue Forecast
Earlier this week, the Office of Economic Analysis released the December Economic and Revenue Forecast for Oregon
Among the highlights:
- The revenue forecast is stable from the last revenue forecast in September.
- For 2021-23, the forecast projects a $2.8 billion deficit between revenues and current service levels.
- Like the last forecast, there is about $1.9 billion ending fund balance for the 2019-2021 biennium, but that still leaves a deficit of nearly $1 billion for the upcoming biennium.
- While the forecast was done prior to the freeze, State Economists expect the impact will likely be muted since it’s temporary and more industry-specific than prior orders.
- The forecast also assumes a vaccine will be widely available by mid to late 2021.
- State economists, in their projections, continue to assume another federal economic stimulus, though smaller than previous relief packages.
- Economists expect a return to pre-pandemic employment by 2023.
- The kicker has not yet been triggered.
- The forecast continues to obscure the painful impacts being felt by low-income Oregonians who have been disproportionately affected.
It is critically important for the recovery of our economy that individuals practice good public health protocols like wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, avoiding groups and washing their hands. The state must do everything it can to help individuals and small businesses recover from the pandemic, particularly workers and businesses impacted by the Governor’s latest necessary public health measures.
Community Outreach
I love the opportunity to speak to students about my role in government. Cub Scout Pack 195 AOL Scouts (Arrow of Light) invited me to join Hillsboro School Board Member, Lisa Allen, to their last den meeting. I was very impressed by their thoughtful questions on the topic of "Building a Better World". We discussed what it means to be a citizen, a leader and how my role serves the community. What a treat it was to talk with them and share this information.
 Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
Hillsboro Firefighters Toy and Joy
Every holiday season, Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts organizes a Toy drive. During December, in a coordinated effort with the Hillsboro Elks Lodge, we deliver new toys to over 1,700 children in the Hillsboro area. New toys are collected from generous members of the community, as well as purchased by HFRA through a partnership with Fred Meyer. Through annual contributions and fundraising efforts, we are able to buy an average of $11,000 worth of toys each year.
If you are able, join me in donating a new, unwrapped toy for our local children in need this holiday season. Toys for children 10 and older would be appreciated. Contact my office, before Friday, December 11th, to make a toy donation and we will arrange to collect it. Thank you!
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 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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