COVID-19 Updates 12/23/2020

Rep. Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

Third Special Session of 2020

On Monday, the Oregon Legislature wrapped up the third special session of the year. We came together, Democrats and Republicans, to address urgent issues with proposals that will keep people in their homes, provide limited liability for schools following OHA and ODE guidelines and dedicate ongoing funding for critical pandemic-related programs. I am proud that we were able to provide some measure of relief until the Legislature reconvenes next year.

Here is what we accomplished:

  • House Bill 4401 - Eviction Moratorium and Landlord Compensation Fund
  • (I voted YES)
  • HB 4401 ensures that renters across the state cannot be evicted through June 30, 2021 if they can’t pay their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also establishes a $150 million fund to cover overdue rent payments, which will help eligible renters avoid falling further behind, while also ensuring landlords have a voluntary way to recover payments they were counting on.
  • Recent data from the National Council of State Housing Agencies estimates that anywhere from 27,700 to 56,100 Oregon households would have been at risk of eviction on January 1st without the extension of the eviction moratorium statewide.
  • House Bill 4402 - School Limited Liability Protections
  • (I voted YES)
  • Provides temporary liability protections to schools that are complying with COVID-19 emergency rules. Schools are not protected if they are not following Oregon Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) rules. This bill provides additional incentive for schools, administrators, and teachers to follow health directives and best practices. The measure provides whistleblower protections to third party contractors, such as janitorial service providers, bus drivers, and food service providers.
  • Senate Bill 1801 - Restaurant Relief
  • (I voted NO - see my submitted vote explanation below)
  • Allows restaurants and bars temporarily to sell and deliver mixed drinks to-go if the mixed drink is sold in a sealed container. The bill caps fees that third-party delivery providers can issue at 15%. Local governments with already-existing third-party fee caps can maintain their own lower limits. Many independent restaurants are currently hanging on by a thread, and this support for small businesses comes at a critical time as the pandemic continues and restaurants have had in-person dining disrupted.
  • Senate Bill 5731 - Emergency COVID-19 and Wildfire Recovery Funding
  • (I voted YES)
  • A large portion of the federal funding that Congress passed through the CARES Act came with an expiration date at the end of 2020. This bill includes $600 million to allow the state to continue to fund critical pandemic-related programs that will support Oregonians in the first few months of 2021, as well as provide more support for Oregonians impacted by the Labor Day wildfires. It also includes $150 million for the Landlord Compensation Fund and $50 million for rental assistance.

I also want to address the violence that took place at the Capitol yesterday. While I support the right of anyone to peacefully protest, the violence, hate and destruction we saw yesterday was unacceptable. Journalists and law enforcement officers were attacked and injured. Your State Capitol was vandalized and the group of extremists tried to intimidate legislators from doing critically important work. Rest assured, I will not be intimidated by these individuals as I serve you in the Oregon House. Our Capitol staff members are professional and fine people that serve the public in supportive roles of the legislature. They should not be fearful at their place of work. Our local Salem Police and Oregon State Police were valiant in their efforts to balance freedom of speech and protection of property and lives. I thank them for their service every day and especially what they endured yesterday. Please read more: Press release from Oregon State Police.

In better news, I am pleased to report Congress has passed additional COVID-19 relief for Americans. While we still desperately need Congress to approve state and local aid, money to support the distribution of a vaccine and additional stimulus checks of up to $600 will help.

There is a lot more work to do to support to Oregon families suffering with high unemployment, BIPOC communities and low-income workers who are facing disproportionate impacts, and the small businesses working hard to keep their doors open. I look forward to getting back to work for you when the legislature reopens in mid-January.

Landlord Compensation Fund Resources

HB 1801 Vote Explanation

SB 1801 Vote Explanation

Governor Updates

Governor Kate Brown Provides Updates on COVID-19 in Oregon

Governor reminds Oregonians to continue following safety measures and re-think holiday plans.

Governor Kate Brown held a press conference yesterday to update Oregonians on the status of COVID-19 in Oregon, as well as the outcome of Monday's special session of the Oregon Legislature. The Governor was joined by Patrick Allen, Director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Rachael Banks, OHA Public Health Division Director.

"Thanks to the decisions the majority of Oregonians continue to make, we are slowing the spread of COVID-19," said Governor Brown. "And while our case counts are still up, we are avoiding many worst-case scenarios. This is proof that we determine how the next few months play out while we work to swiftly distribute the COVID-19 vaccine far and wide. So as we did with Thanksgiving, I ask you to once again re-think your Christmas and New Year’s plans.

"And in more good news, I called for a special session because it’s absolutely critical we get help to Oregonians who have made the necessary sacrifices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The $800 million relief package our state legislature approved just yesterday, coupled with a long-awaited $900 billion stimulus package from Congress, will be an enormous lifeline for Oregonians who have suffered so much. It will help carry us through the coming months as we continue to gain traction with our vaccine campaign."

More information on vaccines is available at covidvaccine.oregon.gov.

A copy of the Governor's remarks is available here.

A recording of yesterday's live-streamed press conference is available here.

Oregon Health Authority Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

From the Oregon Health Authority

On Monday, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that 4,475 health care workers had been vaccinated in the first week of the state’s COVID-19 immunization program.

The new data are part of a new public data dashboard showing the status of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination effort: http://ow.ly/kTWo50CSkUW

The dashboard will provide updates on the number of people partially and fully vaccinated, along with key demographic information showing race, ethnicity, sex and age of everyone who has been immunized, as well as information by county.

The United States, and states like Oregon, currently do not have enough vaccine to immunize everyone against COVID-19. Currently the only people prioritized to receive the vaccine are health care workers and people who live or work in long-term care facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities. The numbers in the dashboard reflect the total number of vaccines administered to date in Oregon, based on these populations.

Through Dec. 20, Oregon has received 35,100 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, with another 25,350 doses scheduled to arrive this week.

Oregon also expects to receive an allocation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which received Emergency Use Authorization from the federal government over the weekend. No shipments of Moderna vaccine have arrived in Oregon yet.

“A COVID-19 vaccination is the safest, most effective and most reliable way to keep yourself, your family and your community healthy and safe from COVID-19. I hope every Oregonian will get the vaccine once it’s available and when it’s their turn," said Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority.

Data Dashboard

Holiday Safety During COVID-19

From the Oregon Health Authority

We know that holiday celebrations are important for many people in Oregon. Though many traditions involve gathering with our friends and family, this year the best way to honor loved ones is to celebrate at home with only the people we live with.

Rather than canceling holiday celebrations, plan your festivities and maintain your traditions with those in your household and include others virtually, including:

  • Lighting candles over video together with family and friends near and far.
  • Singing holiday songs with singalong.
  • Watching holiday-themed movies as a family.
  • Crafting or baking and dropping off what you’ve created without contact.
  • Playing a game over the internet.
  • Viewing holiday decorations around the neighborhood with people you live with, either by foot or car.
Holiday GraphicScavenger Hunt

Community Outreach

Nominate an Educator Today!

In February, the Pamplin Media Group will honor educators from all of our Oregon communities who deserve to be recognized for their dedication, professionalism and work in classrooms, schools and in their communities.

If you know someone who goes above and beyond to inspire and serve, whether in or out of the classroom, nominate them today.

Who can be an Amazing Educator? Anyone who works or volunteers in a public school, private school, community college or university located in one of the communities served by Pamplin Media Group can be nominated for this award.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MONDAY, JAN. 4, 2021.

For more information: https://pamplinportland.secondstreetapp.com/amazingeducators2021/

Additional Resources

 House District 30 Links

Federal Delegation Links

Education Links

Utilities Assistance

Food and Housing Assistance

Santa Visit

This year has been a tough one for everyone. Our kids, parents and educators have been stretched and strained with remote learning. I was happy to be invited by my son, an Oregon high school special education teacher, to join his Adaptive PE class last Friday. My heart burst with pride as I watched and listened to my son interact with his students. After we danced to several holiday Disney tunes, a special guest arrived. Santa Cle Claus was met with delighted squeals and BIG smiles. As he talked to kids about their holiday wish lists, parents watched on and helped their kids navigate their opportunity to talk to the big guy. What a beautiful moment to share. Thank you Santa for your BIG beautiful heart and the joy and hope you bring. Thank you to my son for working so hard for your students and giving them a wonderful send off for Winter Break. 

I wish for you all a wonderful holiday celebration. Please be safe and keep your distance, as we are so close to being out of this dark tunnel. I know it is very hard, but we must do so to further save lives, hospital surges and protect our frontline workers. My husband and I, for the first time ever, will quietly enjoy each other’s company, enjoy a meal and maybe one of our favorite holiday movies, Elf. We will connect with our loved ones virtually. I look forward to singing to my 8 week old grandson Oliver, because I hear that the best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear. Be good to yourself and each other. ❤

Janeen Grandson

*Over the holidays, we will condense newsletters down to one each week on this Wednesday and next. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.

Onward & Upward,

Janeen

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