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Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Updates
Governor Kate Brown Releases Recommended Budget and Policy Agenda
Earlier this week, Governor Brown released her recommended budget and policy agenda. Included below are important links to the information. It is important to remember that this budget proposal is just a recommendation and there is a long time to go until the budget is finalized. We have a continued need for federal resources to help support Oregonians through this ongoing pandemic.
Oregon Health Authority Updates
Why Social Gatherings Increase Your Risk for COVID-19
From the Oregon Health Authority
Many people have chosen to form social bubbles to keep social contact during the pandemic. While social bubbles can help lessen the risk of spreading COVID-19, they can also give people a false sense of safety. It's still safest to limit socializing to the people you live with. If you do choose to gather with another household, consider the risks involved.
To understand what your actual risk of COVID-19 exposure is, it’s a good idea to take the time to consider what interactions each bubble member might have outside of the bubble. Consider this example: Ellen thinks her bubble merely includes her brother Greg and her friend Geneva. But Greg attended a birthday gathering with three other people over the weekend and had an in-person work meeting with a colleague. So Ellen's potential exposure is wider than she thought.
More information on COVID-19 bubble considerations is available on the Indiana Department of Health website: http://ow.ly/tT7150Czyvl
 Washington County Updates
State Funded Grants Coming Soon
From Washington County Business Recovery
On Tuesday December 1, 2020 the Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted the agreement and funds from the state of the Oregon for additional grants to support small businesses. We are working quickly to finalize the plan for distributing the additional money.
Pursuant to the Governor’s recommendation and the Board’s further direction, these funds will prioritize businesses in the hospitality sector and those that were shut down during the governor’s freeze. In order to spread the funding to these industries and throughout the county, we know that there will be more than one program created with those funds.
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Hotels: First, there will be a program to assist the hotels throughout the county that will be run by the county. Our current plan is to provide more information next week, with applications to be opened from December 14 -16, 2020.
County & Select Cities Small Businesses: Second, the county will open an application process for small businesses located in the following areas:
- Banks
- Durham
- Forest Grove
- Gaston
- King City
- the Washington Count portion of Wilsonville
- All unincorporated areas of Washington County
Our current expectation is that the application will open on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 8 a.m. and close Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Noon. We are finalizing the eligibility criteria, but grants will be prioritizing those that were shut because of the freeze as well as non-hotel, hospitality businesses.
Other Cities Small Businesses: Third, we are providing funds to the following cities to provide grants within their jurisdictions:
Please check with those cities directly for information about their programs.
If your business is located inside of Portland, please check with them for more information.
If you are not sure where your business is located, you can check your business' address and look at the “Jurisdiction” information under “Political Boundaries” on the left. Your mailing address may not reflect your jurisdictional information.
We will continue to update this website as we finalize these programs.
Employment Department Updates
Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Virtual Town Hall
From the Oregon Employment Department
The Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (PFMLI) team invites you to join our upcoming Self-Employed Virtual Town Hall from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8th. The Self Employed/ Independent Contractors Town Hall is part of a series of virtual town halls the Oregon Employment Department has launched for the PFMLI program. These virtual town halls serve as listening sessions for the PFMLI team to gather public information as part of its policies and administrative rules process. The Self-Employed/ Independent Contractors Virtual Town Hall will focus on self-employed and independent contractors who elect to participate in the program, including contribution and benefit amounts and how to elect coverage.
Community Outreach
“Life is temporary but love can stay forever.” Those are the words of Holocaust survivor, and my friend, Alter Wiener. Two years ago, on December 11, 2018, Alter’s life was tragically cut short in a traffic accident in Hillsboro. He immigrated to the United States after his camp was liberated at the end of World War II. Alter was tirelessly involved in advocating for Holocaust education to be part of the K-12 curriculum in Oregon.
During the 2019 legislative session I was proud to join my colleagues in passing Senate Bill 664, requiring school districts to provide instruction about the Holocaust and genocide beginning with 2020-2021 school year. In the Hillsboro School District “History of the Holocaust” qualifies as part of the Social Science requirement for graduation. Recently I was able to speak at the dedication of a Peace Pole and Bench in Alter’s honor at Snyder Park in Sherwood that was organized by Paula Schafer and Stephanie West.
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Snyder Park Dedication
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education will be sponsoring a virtual viewing and discussion of the film Rosenwald. Inspired by the Jewish doctrine of tikkun olam (repairing the world), Rosenwald used his wealth to confront racial inequality in America. The film can be screened at home from Sunday December 6th – Monday December 7th. There will be a Zoom discussion with Stephanie Deutsch and Julius Alexander McGee at 6:30pm Tuesday December 8th. Both the film and discussion are FREE but registration is required.
Click here for more information and to register.
City of Hillsboro: Police Oversight Improvements Move Forward With City Council Support
From the City of Hillsboro
Recommendations to improve the existing oversight systems within the Hillsboro Police Department and provide the public with police engagement opportunities are moving forward.
The City Council voiced support for City Manager Robby Hammond's recommendations following a presentation and discussion during the December 1 work session.
See the oversight improvements and next steps.
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Virtual Community Conversation
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
2020 North Plains Jingle Parade
Last night, I celebrated a festive tradition at the North Plains 2020 Jingle Parade. It was a fun, safe way to celebrate the holidays with North Plains community members.
  Each year, I enjoy reading Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to schools and classrooms throughout the Hillsboro School District. This year, since we cannot be together in person, I have recorded a live reading for teachers and families to enjoy at home.
Watch me read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" here.
 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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