1/27/2021 House District 30 Newsletter

Rep. Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

Capitol

In Week 2 of the 81st Legislative Assembly, we saw snow flurries at your Capitol. It made for an adventurous drive home from Salem yesterday.  Being in the building makes me miss the process and procedure of a regular session even more, but I completely understand that safety must come first and recognize that as difficult as this is, extra efforts are needed for outreach and public engagement. I appreciate all the hard work of our Chief Clerk’s Office, our Capitol staff members and wish to give a special shout-out to the Capitol IT department for working so hard to keep us connected and moving forward in the legislative process and you connected as well. I am committed to continuing to be accessible and available to hear from you. Please join me on Saturday (1/30) from 9:30am-10:30am for another Virtual Community Conversation. Sign up below to receive the meeting link. PS – It is perfectly fine to wear your cozy pajamas. 😉

Community Conversation
Register here

COVID-19 Updates

Vaccinations in Oregon

From the Oregon Health Authority

OHA Graphic

Today, OHA reported that 17,422 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 10,178 vaccine doses were administered on Jan. 25 and 7,244 were administered on previous days but entered into the vaccine registry on Jan. 25.

Cumulative daily totals can take several days to finalize because providers have 72 hours to report doses administered and technical challenges have caused many providers to lag in their reporting. OHA has been providing technical support to vaccination sites to improve the timeliness of their data entry into the state’s ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS).

Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 325,472 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. All vaccinations were administered by Oregon hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, urgent care facilities and Local Public Health Authorities (LPHAs).

To date, 589,200 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon. These data are preliminary and subject to change. OHA's dashboards provide regularly updated vaccination data and Oregon’s dashboard has been updated today.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Thank you to the City of Hillsboro for providing the following compilation of COVID-19 vaccine information.

Get answers to common COVID-19 vaccine questions from Washington County's Department of Health and Human Services.

1. When can I get the vaccine?

When you get the vaccine depends on your risk of being exposed to the virus and your risk of developing complications.

Governor Kate Brown has prioritized healthcare workers, residents and employees of long-term care facilities and other congregate care settings, emergency responders, people with intellectual and physical disabilities and others at high risk. People in these Phase 1A groups started receiving vaccine in mid-December and right now are the only ones eligible for vaccine.

To see if you qualify, look at this list from the Oregon Health Authority. There are 400,000 people in this group, more than the state’s current supply, so it will take a while for everyone in this phase to be vaccinated.

2. What if I’m not in Phase 1A, when will I be eligible for the vaccine?

The next phase of eligibility (1B) will begin on January 25 with childcare providers, early learning and K-12 educators and staff becoming eligible for the vaccine.

On February 8, people 80 and older will be eligible, followed by people 75 and older, and then people 65 and older. See the Washington County vaccine page and prioritization table for more information.

3. How will all of these people be vaccinated when we don’t have enough vaccine?

That is a great question and one we’ve been asking too. There is not enough vaccine to vaccinate everyone who is eligible, so while you may be eligible on a certain date according to the Governor’s schedule, you will not be able to get a vaccination until we have more supply.

The metro region’s large health care providers have been vaccinating their own employees, so have emergency responders, and other agencies that have signed up to provide vaccinations to people who are eligible in 1A. The health systems are also vaccinating people in 1A at the Oregon Convention Center and will likely start vaccinating people in 1B on January 25.

4. Is the vaccine safe and effective?

Yes, vaccination is the safest, most effective and most reliable way to keep yourself, your family and your community healthy and safe from COVID-19. Both vaccines require two doses given 3 to 4 weeks apart and are 95% effective.

Both have undergone rigorous safety testing and have been approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration. You may experience side effects including flu like symptoms including a fever, pain, swelling and tiredness. These should subside after 24 hours and mean your body is building up immunity to the virus.

5. How do I sign up to get a vaccination?

If you employ healthcare workers or others eligible for the vaccine in the 1A group, or if you are an individual in this group and are self-employed, you can fill out this survey and will be directed to a place to receive the vaccine.

There is no system yet for educators and others in 1B to sign up for vaccine. Please watch your local news and keep checking the Washington County vaccine page for updates.

More vaccine information from Washington County

Modified Guidance for Indoor Activities in Extreme Risk Counties to Take Effect 1/29

From Koin 6 News

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon counties under the “extreme risk” COVID-19 category can now have limited indoor activities, with the exception of dining, Gov. Kate Brown announced on Tuesday.

The modifications to the state’s guidance for indoor activities take effect on Jan. 29. A maximum of six people indoors will be allowed at facilities of more than 500 square feet, as long as other guidelines such as social distancing, mask-wearing and cleaning protocols are followed. Facilities with less than 500 square feet are allowed to have one-on-one customer experiences, such as personal training.

New guidelines for indoor facilities will be posted to the state’s coronavirus website by Jan. 29.

Read the full article here.

House District 30 - 2021 Legislative Session Concepts

In order to provide information and updates on the policies that I am working on for the 2021 Session, this is a continuation of that series.

HB 2313House Bill 2313 will require the Director of the Oregon Health Authority to work with the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to take statewide inventory of services available to prevent and treat substance use disorders and to support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.

As a member of the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, I know this inventory work of services available to treat substance use disorders and aid in recovery is crucial knowledge to have as we begin to implement the provisions of Measure 110. I worry that without it, we may get into a situation of putting the cart before the horse. We need to figure out what the system of care currently looks like and where further service is needed.

This bill is up for a Public Hearing in this morning's House Behavioral Health Committee at 8:00am. Watch live, as I give testimony in support of HB 2313, by following this link here, or use the same link to watch back at a later time.

Follow this link for detailed information on how to sign up to testify or submit testimony on bills currently in the Oregon legislature, prepared by our Legislative Policy Research Office.

Education Updates

Oregon’s high school graduation rate climbed nearly 3 percentage points to reach 83% for the class of 2020.  It is the fourth straight year of significant gains.  The biggest improvements occurred among Black and Latino students and students with disabilities. (see chart)

Graph

The Hillsboro School District saw a continuation of its upward trajectory. More than 86 percent of seniors in the class of 2019 graduated on time and more than 90 percent completed on time.

According to Dayle Spitzer, Assistant Superintendent: “We are seeing these results because we’re chasing kids. We don’t let go the students who are behind, struggling, or thinking about dropping out. We bring them in and support them in finding ways to earn credits, catch up, and graduate. We will continue innovating relevant solutions for students until 100 percent of them successfully complete high school.”

HSD Grad

Unemployment Insurance Updates

From the Oregon Employment Department

OED Graphic

 

¿Sabía que el Departamento de Empleo envía anuncios y comparte actualizaciones importantes por correo electrónico? Asegúrese de estar en nuestra lista de correo electrónico para no perderse nada. Regístrate hoy!


Benefit payments - In the first week of January, we began paying benefits under the CAA to those who had several weeks of benefits remaining on their PUA or PEUC claims. For those who did not have any weeks remaining on their claims, we are starting to pay PEUC benefits, and claimants could see funds next week! 

Moving forward, if you are on PEUC you should begin receiving weekly benefits again. We are still working to pay past weeks, but remember that YOU WILL BE PAID FOR ALL YOUR CLAIMED WEEKS. Continue to claim weekly. If you had a break in reporting you will need to restart your claim

We also hope to begin issuing the rest of PUA payments by Feb. 5. As a reminder, these benefits will be paid retroactively so continue to file your weekly claims.


Important PUA Updates

  • 50 week maximum - The U.S. Dept. of Labor has informed us that claimants can only receive a maximum of 50 weeks of PUA benefits. PUA is a weeks-based program, so even if you have funds remaining on your claim, you can only receive PUA benefits for 50 weeks.
  • We have added a new step in the PUA weekly claim process that allows you to review your claim before submitting it. 
    • IMPORTANT: Make sure to click ‘Submit’ when you are done reviewing. If you do not need to review your claim, you still need to click ‘Submit’ when you reach the review page. 
  • New PUA verification requirements - The CAA requires that you send us additional information to verify your income by a certain date, in order to continue receiving benefits. 
    • If you filed your PUA claim on or before Jan. 3, 2021, you need to show work between Jan. 1, 2019 and the effective date of your claim, which is the first day you became unemployed.
    • If your claim was filed after Jan. 3, 2021, you need to show work between Jan. 1, 2020 and the effective date of your claim, which is the first day you became unemployed.
  • PUA claimants moved to PEUC - If you had exhausted your PEUC and Extended Benefits (EB) and were receiving PUA, you will be moved back to PEUC for the 11-week extension. Your weekly benefit amount may be lower, but this will not create an overpayment for the weeks you were on PUA.

For more information on PUA, read our updated Frequently Asked Questions.


Webinar - Our next unemployment insurance webinar will be conducted in Spanish, and we’ll share the latest information we’ve received on the CAA. Join us Thursday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. Register for our upcoming webinars, and watch recordings of previous webinars, by visiting unemployment.oregon.gov/webinars. 

Nuestro próximo seminario web en español será el jueves 28 de enero a la 1 p.m., donde compartiremos actualizaciones sobre la Ley de Asistencia Continua. Registrarse aquí.


Need to reach us? One of the best ways to get your questions answered is by using the Contact Us form on our website. Your email will go directly to claim specialists who will get back with you as quickly as they can.  

Please make sure you submit one message per issue and be as detailed as possible. You do not need to call us.

Want to receive updates on unemployment benefits from the Employment Department? Subscribe to our email list.

Community Outreach

From Washington County Cooperative Library Services

WCCLS Graphic

Washington County libraries have eliminated overdue fines on all library materials. Patrons whose accounts have been suspended because of overdue fines, roughly 12,000, have had their access restored.

The policy, proposed by the Washington County Cooperative Library Services, WCCLS, executive board, was approved by the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 15, 2020 for implementation on Jan. 26, 2021.

Studies have shown that overdue fines are most likely to restrict access for communities of color and/or those with lower incomes. Washington County libraries’ commitment to equity and inclusion motivated this change.

Board of Commissioners’ Chair Kathryn Harrington says, “We enthusiastically endorse our libraries’ move to eliminate barriers and promote equity. We are proud of our excellent library system and encourage all Washington County residents to make use of this valuable resource. This is a wonderful way to start the new year.”

Lisa Tattersall, manager of WCCLS, adds, “Libraries are for everyone. This is a landmark step in our mission to eliminate patrons’ barriers wherever we can – and this will remove the barrier for thousands of them. We want our patrons back.”

The policy comes at a time when patrons’ demand for e-books and audiobooks hit a record 2.1 million checkouts in 2020, in part due to the pandemic restricting access to library buildings and physical books.

Digital materials are an ever-increasing percentage of WCCLS’ collection, and do not incur fines. WCCLS has reallocated resources throughout 2020 to meet patrons’ explosive demand for digital materials.

Tattersall, remarking on the dramatic shift to e-books and audiobooks, says, “We’re thrilled with all the work our libraries have done to keep our patrons in reading material despite the pandemic.”

One Book, One Beaverton

Event Graphic

School Zone Safety

Follow this link, or click on the picture below, to watch this great reminder from Washington County Sheriff's Office on School Zone Safety.

School Zone Safety

Additional Resources

 House District 30 Links

Federal Delegation Links

Education Links

Utilities Assistance

Food and Housing Assistance

"The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman

Thank you to Oprah Magazine for providing the transcript from poet laureate, Amanda Gorman's captivating Inauguration Poem.

Dr. Biden, Madam Vice President, Mr. Emhoff, Americans, and the world.

When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never ending shade?
The loss we carry, a sea.
We must wade.
We've braved the belly of the beast.

We've learned that quiet isn't always peace.
And the norms and notions of what just is, isn't always justice.
And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.

Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that it isn't broken, but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and the time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one.
And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn't mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose. 

To compose a country, committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.
And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us
We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.

Let the globe, if nothing else say, this is true.
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, w
e tried.
That we'll forever be tied together victorious.

Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid
If we're to live up to our own time, then victory won't lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we've made.
That is the promise to glade the hill we climb.
If only we dare it's because being American is more than a pride we inherit.
It's the past we step into and how we repair it.

We've seen a force that would shatter our nation, rather than share it.
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded, but while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated in this truth.
In this faith we trust for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.
This is the era of just redemption.
We feared it in its inception.
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter.
To offer hope and laughter to ourselves.

So while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?
Now we assert how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?
We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be a country that is bruised.
But whole benevolence, but bold, fierce, and free.

We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation.
Our blunders become their burdens, but one thing is certain.
If we merged mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy, and change our children's birthright.
So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.
With every breath, my bronze pounded chest.

We will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the gold limbed hills of the West.
We will rise from the wind swept to Northeast where our forefathers first realized the revolution.
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the middle Western States.
We will arise from the sun baked South.
We will rebuild, reconciled and recover and every known nook over our nation.

And every corner called our country.
Our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful.
When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid, the new dawn balloons, as we free it.
For there was always light.
If only we're brave enough to see it.
If only we're brave enough to be it.

Be good to yourself and each other. ❤

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