3/24/2021 House District 30 Newsletter

Rep. Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

House District 30 Virtual Office Hours

Office Hours

This Friday, March 26, from 11:00am-12:00pm, I will be holding HD 30 Virtual Office Hours. This is an opportunity for fellow House District 30 constituents to join me and the HD 30 team and stop by to ask a question or share a thought. Stay as long, or as little, as you like. We will hold office hours every Friday from 11:00-12:00 to meet with you virtually by Zoom. Use the link below to join.

Join Zoom Meeting

Governor Kate Brown Announces Accelerated Vaccination Timelines

In a press briefing with the Oregon Health Authority last Friday, Governor Kate Brown announced Oregon’s accelerated vaccination prioritization timelines. The Governor was joined by Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director; Dr. Dean Sidelinger, State Epidemiologist; and Holden Leung, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Health & Service Center.

"As vaccination efforts speed up, I want to thank Oregonians once again for making smart choices throughout this pandemic. Oregon continues to hold one of the lowest infection and mortality rates in the entire country. We have the fourth lowest infection rate since the start of the pandemic, and fifth lowest mortality rate. Your actions have saved lives," said Governor Brown. "As we open up eligibility to all Oregonians on May 1st, I remain committed to the equitable distribution of vaccines for our seniors, frontline workers, and Oregonians with underlying health conditions."

"The Oregon Health Authority tells me that, provided supplies come in from the federal government as anticipated, we expect to have enough doses for every Oregonian who wants a vaccine to have the opportunity for at least a first dose by the end of May. That makes me smile. I hope it does for you too. The future's looking brighter every day."

Starting March 22, counties that can attest to largely finishing vaccinations for Oregonians 65 and older can move to the next prioritization groups. No later than March 29, vaccinations may begin for Phase 1B, Group 6, which includes people aged 45 and older with underlying conditions and some groups most vulnerable to COVID-19. On April 19, vaccinations may begin for Phase 1B, Group 7, which includes all frontline workers and people with underlying conditions aged 16-44. On May 1, all Oregonians age 16 and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

A full summary of Oregon’s accelerated vaccination timelines is available here.

Vaccine Eligibility

'How to Find a Vaccine' Webpages Launch in English and Spanish

From the Oregon Health Authority

Last week, OHA launched a new page to help you get vaccinated. The new "How to Find a Vaccine" page – available in English and in Spanish – guides you through the process, identifying: 

  • Who can get a vaccine. 
  • Why to create a Get Vaccinated Oregon account. 
  • Where to find a vaccine, including links to the CDC Vaccine Finder, pharmacy options and your local public health authority. 

It also includes information about preparing for a vaccine appointment and what you can expect afterward.  

We also published refreshed versions of covidvaccine.oregon.gov and vacunacovid.oregon.gov to make them easier to navigate.

As we learn more about updates to eligibility groups and other resources, these pages will be updated. 

**Click on the graphic below to navigate the menu choices for "Where can I find a vaccine?"

Vaccine Finder Graphic

Education Updates

Hillsboro School District Opportunity for Graduating Seniors

Thank you to Heidi Green Edwards for sharing the following information.

Graduating seniors in Hillsboro School District have an excellent opportunity for you to learn about careers in tech, including Microelectronics, Mechatronics, Bioscience Tech, and Computer Science. Earn PCC credit at no cost (FREE!) thanks to partnership with the City of Hillsboro and our Portland Community College Future Connect team.
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Los estudiantes de último año que se gradúan en el Hillsboro School District tenemos una excelente oportunidad para que aprendan sobre carreras en tecnología, que incluyen microelectrónica, mecatrónica, tecnología de biociencia y ciencias de la computación. Obtenga créditos de PCC sin costo (¡GRATIS!) gracias a nuestra asociación con City of Hillsboro y Future Connect de Portland Community College.

PCC Future Connect

Oregon DMV Updates

Most Oregonians Can Renew Driver License Online Starting in Early May

From Oregon Department of Transportation

Many Oregon residents will be able to renew their driver licenses, permits and identification cards online at DMV2U starting in early May, possibly as early as May 5.

This new feature coming to DMV2U.Oregon.gov will save thousands of customers a trip to a DMV office and free up appointment times for others. Demand for appointment slots and DMV services remains high because of the COVID-19 backlog.

“We hope that people will consider renewing online instead of making an appointment at a local office,” DMV Administrator Amy Joyce said. “We understand it’s frustrating for Oregonians who have a hard time finding an appointment slot. We’re adding more online services to better serve customers and get them what they need without a trip to a DMV office.”

Joyce noted, however, “If you want to change from a regular driver license or ID card to a Real ID-compliant credential, you will need to make an appointment and come into the office. The same is true if you need to add a motorcycle or farm endorsement, or add a veteran designation, or renew a limited-term credential, or renew in other uncommon situations.”

When you renew online, you will be able to print a receipt to carry with you. Law enforcement can verify your driving privileges electronically in the event of a traffic stop.

This online option comes at a critical time. DMV mails renewal reminders to customers about two months before expiration. But many reminders intended to be mailed this winter were delayed by a programming error.  Those customers may be eligible to renew online in May faster than waiting for an appointment. News of the online renewal option has been added to the reminders.

“This new service is ideal for customers who only need to renew the type of card they currently have,” Joyce said. “Most importantly, it gives you a choice – you may wish to wait until May to renew online instead of setting an appointment and going in person.”

Grace period for late renewal

Oregon residents with a vehicle registration, permit or driver license that expires between Nov. 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, have up to three months after their expiration date to renew. DMV and Oregon Law enforcement have an agreement that officers will use discretion in a traffic stop when a customer has an expired license or vehicle tag and is within the grace period.

A bill making its way through the Oregon legislature would grant a six-month grace period from expiration through the end of 2021.

Also, there is no penalty or extra fee for renewing your driver license, permit or ID card up to 12 months after your expiration date.

What credentials you can renew online starting in May

You will be able to renew your:

  • Driver license
  • Standard commercial driver license (no endorsements such as hazmat or farm)
  • ID card
  • Instruction permit
  • Motorcycle instruction permit
  • Restricted moped-only license
  • Disability golf cart driver permit

Online renewal will allow you to make two changes:

  • Change your address if you have moved.
  • Add or remove the organ donation option from your record.

Who can renew online?

In order to qualify for online renewal:

  • Your card must be within 12 months of its expiration date.
  • Your previous renewal was done in person at a DMV office.
  • You are not suspended or owe a reinstatement fee from a previous suspension.

Vision test waived for drivers age 50 and older renewing online

For the next two years, DMV will postpone the vision test required for drivers age 50 and older who renew online. This will enable more Oregonians to renew online instead of making an appointment at DMV.

Drivers 50 and older who renew online will be required to pass that screening no later than their next renewal.

Find out if you’re eligible online in May

To be certain that you are eligible to renew your current Oregon card online, in early May go to DMV2U.Oregon.gov and start using the online renewal option. It will ask you questions, and if you’re eligible to renew online, you will be able to complete the transaction using a debit/credit card.

More information on accessing DMV services: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/covid_alert.Aspx

If you plan to travel by air, make sure you have the right ID

If you plan to travel by air in the future, make sure you have what you need to fly within the United States. Starting Oct. 1, you will need a Real ID-compliant form of ID at airport security checkpoints for all flights. Many people already have a Real ID-compliant credential, like a passport or passport card. Find out your best option for air travel ID at Oregon.gov/RealID.

In the Legislature

Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction

The mortgage interest tax deduction is an excellent tool to help working families become homeowners. Oregon is facing a housing shortage and having the current financial incentives for those able to afford multiple homes does nothing to address that. SB 852, HB 2838, and HB 2578 are bill concepts that could help. There has been misinformation that is being circulated regarding these bills, claiming they are taking away YOUR tax deduction. I would like to share some information on what these bills actually would do:

  • If you make under $200,000 a year, you still get to deduct your primary residence’s mortgage interest just as you do now.
  • If you make between $200,000 and $250,000, you will still get to deduct a portion of your primary residence’s mortgage interest from your taxes.
  • If you have rental properties, you will continue to be able to deduct mortgage interest in the form of a business expense (much like insurance and other expenses).
  • It is estimated that 95% of Oregonians will not see a change, in other words only the wealthiest Oregonians would be impacted.

These taxes (estimated at $200 million) would not be put into the general fund, but instead set aside in a Housing Opportunity Account, also established under these bills, and used to fund programs that promote affordable homeownership and homelessness prevention. Homeownership is a truly quintessential part of the American dream and these bills look to make that dream achievable for more Oregonians.

Scam Alert

OBA Alerts Bankers and the Public About Scammers Headed to Oregon

From the Oregon Bankers Association

The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) has reason to believe that a group of scammers are setting their sights on Oregon to perpetrate “grandparent scams.” In grandparent scams, older adults are duped into handing over cash at their front door, thinking they’re helping a loved one who is in danger.

Scammers pose as panicked grandchildren in trouble, calling or sending messages urging you to wire money immediately. They’ll say they need cash to help with an emergency – like paying a hospital bill or needing to leave a foreign country. They pull at your heartstrings so they can trick you into sending money before you realize it’s a scam.

The Oregon DOJ offers the following recommendations to avoid becoming victim of a grandparent or family emergency scam.

If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a grandchild, other family member or friend desperate for money:

  • Resist the urge to act immediately – no matter how dramatic the story is.
  • Verify the caller’s identity. Ask questions that a stranger couldn’t possibly answer. Call a phone number for your family member or friend that you know to be genuine. Check the story out with someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if you’ve been told to keep it a secret.
  • Don’t send cash, gift cards, or money transfers – once the scammer gets the money, it’s gone.
  • Never open your door for anyone you don’t know.
  • Call the police immediately if you have reason to believe you’ve fallen victim to this scam or any other scam.

If you have fallen victim to a scam like the grandparent scam, file a complaint online at www.oregonconsumer.gov or call the Oregon Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 and ask that a complaint form be mailed to you.

Community Outreach

Project Never Again

Project Never Again is a local House District 30 organization based in North Plains that provides duffel bags to Oregon Department of Human Services so that children entering foster care do not have to carry a garbage bag full of their belongings. I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know the incredible founder of this program and we are working together to see how we can get more duffel bags to children entering foster care across the state. We are working with our partners at Oregon DHS on a non-legislative agreement and I am thrilled to be a part of this.

Coming up, May is Foster Care Awareness Month- follow along with Project Never Again on social media to stay informed of events and volunteer opportunities. There is an upcoming volunteer event on June 5th to help prepare 3,000 bags. Sign up to help here: www.neveragainnpo.org

Project Never Again flyer

Hillsboro Library Has a New Director

Hillsboro Library Director

Welcome to Hillary Ostlund, recently named the new Director of Hillsboro Public Library. Read more about Hillary here.

Other Recent Stories from the Hillsboro Library:

Century Boulevard Extension Project

From Washington County Roads

Be the first to comment on the Century Boulevard Extension Project online open house! A new bridge will provide a shorter route with sidewalks and cycle tracks between Main and Lois streets. http://WashCoOpenHouses.org

WashCo Roads

Additional Resources

 House District 30 Links

Federal Delegation Links

Education Links

Food and Housing Assistance

Happy Spring

Happy Spring!

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