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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week, Oregon Senate Democrats voted to protect our students, workers and the general public from gun violence. Senate Bill 554 allows local jurisdictions to prohibit guns in public buildings, including schools. The bill passed the Oregon Senate on a 16-7 vote.
Over the past two weeks, we have seen two major instances of extreme gun violence that have shaken communities across the country. As Oregon’s flags remain at half staff, I am heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones. But I am also deeply grateful that we have taken action to pass common sense gun safety legislation that keeps our state safer for everyone. Click the image below to read the Senate Democrats' full statement.
This Sunday, Oregon remembers and celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of Minoru Yasui. For those of you unfamiliar with his story, he challenged the legality of President Franklin Roosevelt's executive order that forcibly relocated and interned Japanese-American citizens during World War II, courageously standing up against unjust and inhumane discrimination. For decades after his legal challenge reached the U.S. Supreme Court, he continued to passionately advocate for civil rights and social justice, leaving a lasting legacy in Oregon, Colorado, and across the country that he refused to stop believing in, even after experiencing some of the darkest moments in our history. In 2015, President Obama posthumously awarded Minoru Yasui the Presidential Medal of Freedom - the highest civilian honor in the nation.
 Minoru Yasui stood up to the US. government to argue the legality of Executive Order 9066 (Courtesy of Holly Yasui)
Today is also the #StopAsianHate National Day of Action and Healing. March 26 was chosen because on this day 231 years ago, the U.S. Congress passed its first naturalization law, the Naturalization Act of 1790, prohibiting non-white individuals from becoming citizens. After centuries of exclusion and hatred, this day aims to highlight ways to end racism and violence targeted toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
During this important day of remembrance and action, let us take inspiration from the motto that Minoru Yasui lived by: “We are born into this world for a purpose: to make it a better place for our having been there.”
Governor Kate Brown has released a 10-Point Economic Recovery Plan for Oregon. The 10-Point Plan, which was developed with input from the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and Racial Justice Council (RJC), builds on the work of local economic development districts across the state to help Oregon families and businesses. It provides a framework for economic recovery related to COVID-19 and wildfires, with a specific focus on strategically supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.
These principles and 10-Point Plan are a starting point for conversations with the these groups are having with the Legislature and stakeholders in the community to develop a process for funding decisions related to American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars. More information will be provided as decisions are made.
Additional details on Governor Brown’s 10-Point Plan are available here. You can also find a breakdown of ARP allocations available here.
Today, Governor Kate Brown announced that in light of increasing vaccine supplies from the federal government and the progress counties and health care providers have made vaccinating seniors, Oregon will again be accelerating its timelines for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for frontline workers and people with underlying health conditions.
Beginning Monday, April 5, all people in Phase 1B, Group 7 will become eligible for vaccination, two weeks earlier than previously planned. Don’t forget to go to covidvaccine.oregon.gov, sign up for notifications in the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool, and make your plan to get vaccinated.
Beginning in May, many Oregon residents will be able to renew their driver licenses, permits and identification cards online at DMV2U. This new feature will save thousands of customers a trip to a DMV office and free up appointment times for others.
When the service becomes available, you will be able to renew your driver’s license, commercial driver’s license (except CDL with hazmat or farm endorsement), ID card, instruction permit, motorcycle instruction permit, and several other credentials. Please note that you will still need to make an in-person appointment to obtain a Real ID.
On Tuesday, March 30, Congressman Kurt Schrader will hold his sixth annual military academy informational meeting. Students, parents, and educators are invited to participate and learn about the application process to attend our nation's Service Academies.
The event is from 5:00-6:45 PM, and will feature academy liaisons, cadets and midshipmen, and Rep. Kurt Schrader. Click here to register.
As we head into April, I’d like to highlight the work of the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network (LOSN). I’m grateful for all of the work that these volunteers - including my mom, Stephanie Wagner - do in our community to promote strong sustainability practices and an appreciation of our environment.
April is Arbor month, and LOSN will be celebrating trees and our urban forest all month long. Lake Oswego has a diverse urban forest and has been a member of Tree City USA for over 30 years. Celebrate Arbor Month 2021 by working together to preserve our urban forest.
Consider joining a community event to learn how to protect your neighborhood trees from ivy. You can also check the OLWC Arbor Month webpage at the beginning of April for additional Arbor Month activities.
As always, please let me know if you need any assistance. My office and I will work to connect you with resources and get your questions answered as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
 Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner
Senate District 19
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1719
address: 900 Court St NE, S-223, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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