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Hello Neighbors,
This past week did not disappoint. We had historic ice storms, an Impeachment Trial, and a rollercoaster for all involved in the legislative process. Despite a global contagion, economic challenges, wildfire recovery, and the internal politics swishing about regarding not one but two legislators for their conduct, the work continues. We are learning how to facilitate policymaking in the "New Age" through increased use of technology, a slower pace for including more public commentary, and a shared focus on trying to do the People's Business as best we can given our realities.
The good news is that we are moving the ball forward. Bipartisanship may not be "top-fold news," but it is a reality for most of the issues I am working to address. Emergency Management, "Recovery" from economic, health, and wildfire catastrophe, and Veterans are not inherently ideological or partisan, and they need not become so. Truth be told, most issues do not have to be about our respective partisan perspectives. Still, it takes commitment to work across the aisles -- across our inter-caucus dynamics -- to find common ground good for all Oregonians.
These next few weeks will likely determine the temper and tone of the remaining four months of the session how we do what we do next matters as much as, if not more than, what we do next. Respect is the currency of trust. Our Legislature depends upon trust to function. We have some very large, very important decisions to make before March. If we choose to put Oregon ahead of party, we can accomplish a lot. If we allow ourselves to become balkanized into factions, we will most likely fail. I believe most Oregonians care less about the measurements parties focus upon and far more about the outcomes necessary for a thoughtful return to "semi-normalcy." Together we really can get the job done, but only together.
On Saturday afternoon, Governor Kate Brown declared the State of Emergency for nine counties, including Marion and Polk County, due to "heavy snow and ice accumulation, high winds, critical transportation failures, and loss of power and communications capabilities." This declaration will allow the State to activate its emergency plan, utilize personal, equipment, and facilities to respond and assist the local governments in mitigating this emergency's impacts. For more information, click here.
Sign up for Public Alerts
Please use 911 for life-safety emergencies only; instead call 211, sign up for Public Alerts for updates, or call non-emergency lines for assistance:
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Marion County Sheriff’s Office: 503-588-5032
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Polk County Sheriff's Office: 503-623-9251
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Oregon State Police: 800-442-0776
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City of Salem Public Works: 503-588-6211
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City of Monmouth Public Works: 503.838.2173
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City of Independence Public Works: 503-370-2802
Report Power Outages
Please also do not call 911 to report downed power lines and outages. Please call your electric company or cooperative instead:
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Monmouth Power and Light: 503.838.3526
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PGE: 800-544-1795
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Pacific Power: 1-877-508-5088
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Salem Electric: 503-362-3601
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West Oregon Electric: 503-429-3021
 
 Due to the inclement weather and large-scale power outages, Senator Patterson and I have decided to reschedule our joint legislative townhall to Tuesday, February 23rd at 6 pm. It promises to be a lot of fun. Please bring your questions, share your concerns, and/or listen in -- we both believe in engaged transparency -- and you are critical in our approach to governing. Pre-registration is required, and you can register by clicking here.
The Oregon Health Authority, in partnership with Google, has developed a new tool called Get Vaccinated Oregon. This tool allows users to answer basic information to learn if they are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. If an individual is qualified, the tool will connect them to information about vaccination clinics in their community. Users can also sign up for alerts to notify them when they are eligible for a vaccine. For more information on the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool, or to use it, click here.
 The inclement weather has added yet another layer of complication. As shown in the graphic above, starting on February 15th, Oregonians 75 and older will be added to the list of eligible recipients for the vaccine. Statewide, 483,090 people have received at least their first COVID-19 vaccine, with 195,611 individuals fully vaccinated. For more information on statewide data, click here.
Locally, Salem Health set up the first mass vaccination clinic in the state with their first full day on Thursday, January 7th. The effort has been so successful, Marion and Polk counties are among the most immunized counties in the state (per 10,000 people). Marion County has vaccinated 38,650 (1,111.4 per 10,000) and Polk County has vaccinated 11,888 (1,433.3 per 10,000). Salem Health is now allowing for preregistration for individuals in the 1A and 1B category through Mychart, which will cut down on the wait time. For more information and the most up to date information, please go to Salem Health's COVID-19 vaccine website at https://www.salemhealth.org/covid-vaccine.
My office received a note from the Oregon Department of Revenue (ODOR) asking me to share the following information. ODOR started beginning to process personal income tax returns for the 2020 filing season on February 12th, 2020. The 2020 tax filing year is unique and involves multiples changes to the law. Below is a list of hot topics folks might have questions on.
2021 Tax Season Hot Topics Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Call: 503-378-4988 or 1-800-356-4222 | Email: questions.dor@oregon.gov | Website: www.oregon.gov/dor
The EITC is a federal and state tax credit for people earning up to $56,844 per year. Individuals with low to moderate income who have a Social Security number may qualify for the EITC. For tax year 2020, the federal Earned Income Credit can be based upon income that is earned in either 2019 or 2020. Individuals may elect to choose the year that allows for the largest refund. Oregon’s EITC is a percentage of the amount allowed on the federal return. Taxpayers can use the IRS EITC Assistant (available in English or Spanish) to check their eligibility further.
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits are taxable to Oregon. Funds received through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program are also taxable to Oregon. Unlike W-2 wages, unemployment benefits do not automatically have amounts withheld to pay taxes at the end of the year. Individuals who did not elect to have withholding on their unemployment may see an increased tax bill. Individuals receiving unemployment compensation in 2021 may submit Form 1040WH to the Oregon Employment Department to authorize withholding.
Stimulus Payments
Economic Impact Payments received during 2020 and early 2021 may impact the amount of federal tax subtraction that can be claimed on the 2020 Oregon personal income tax return. The federal tax subtraction is based on the amount of federal tax paid in the 2020 tax year. Individuals should reduce the amount of federal tax paid in 2020 by the payments received to determine the amount of federal tax subtraction they are allowed. The federal tax subtraction is limited to $6,950 ($3,475 if married filing separately).
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES)/Charitable Donation
Oregon is automatically tied to changes made to taxable income under the federal CARES Act. The CARES Act permits individuals who do not itemize their deductions to claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash donations ($150 if married filing separately) to a qualifying charitable organization for tax year 2020. While this deduction is claimed on the federal return, the decrease in adjusted gross income will reduce Oregon taxes as well. Disaster
Relief (COVID-19, Wildfires, Straight-line Winds)
The Department of Revenue recognizes not all individuals will be prepared to pay their taxes in full this year. The department is offering penalty waiver relief for individuals impacted by COVID, wildfires, or straight-line winds.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Funds received through the PPP that are forgiven will not create taxable income for 2020. However, after Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act on December 21, 2020, business expenses paid with funds received from the PPP loan program are tax deductible. Oregon’s current law is tied to these changes.
Business Use of Home
Oregon is automatically tied to changes made to taxable income under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Employees who receive a paycheck or a W-2 exclusively from an employer are not eligible for the business use of home deduction, even if they are currently working from home. Along with other changes, the TCJA suspended the use of employee business expenses for employees through 2025. Visit the IRS for more information on business use of home.
Free-File
All Oregon taxpayers preparing their own returns can file electronically at no cost using Oregon’s free fillable forms. There are many free or low-cost preparation options available for both federal and Oregon tax returns. Some software companies offer free software use and e-filing for eligible taxpayers. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.
Filing Tips
E-filing is the fastest way to get your tax refund. Taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund sooner on average than those who file paper returns and request refund checks. A refund hold is part of our tax fraud prevention efforts and allows us to confirm that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on Forms W-2 and 1099. Filers can check “Where’s My Refund?” online to see the status of their refund. Oregon will begin issuing refund checks after February 16.
Revenue Online
The Department of Revenue continues to expand the features available through Revenue Online. Individuals can view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make payments, and submit questions. Visit Revenue Online to learn more.
Due to the Ice Storm, I recorded this week's Capitol Wrap from my phone. This week I talked about the 2nd Trial of Former President Donald J Trump, what is going on in the Legislature, and what I wish for all of us on Oregon's 162nd birthday. I hope you take a listen by clicking here, and like always, let me know what you think.
Yours truly,
 Representative Paul Evans
House District 20
email: Rep.PaulEvans@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1420
address: 900 Court St NE, H-476, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/evans
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