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Friends and Neighbors,
Virtual Community Conversation: Sunday, April 18
House District 30 Virtual Office Hours
 COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
Governor Kate Brown Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to all Oregonians over 16, Effective April 19
Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown announced that all Oregonians over the age of 16 will be eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine on April 19. The Governor issued the following statement:
“We are locked in a race between vaccine distribution and the rapid spread of COVID-19 variants. Today, Oregon will pass the threshold of 2 million vaccine doses administered. And yet, in communities across Oregon, COVID-19 is spreading at concerning rates. We must move as quickly as possible to get more shots in arms. Beginning April 19, all Oregonians over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a vaccine.
“However, whether before April 19 or after, it’s critical that we continue to focus on equity in our vaccine distribution efforts. Oregon’s Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Tribal, and communities of color have been disproportionately hard-hit by this disease. We must reach Oregonians where they are, including those who may not have easy access to health care or the ability to take time off from work.
“Over the next two weeks, we will dedicate all available resources to ensure Oregon’s frontline workers and people with underlying conditions have access to vaccines––two groups in which Oregonians from communities of color are predominantly represented.
“My office will work closely with the White House to ensure Oregon receives our fair share of federal vaccine supplies, so we can continue with a fast, fair, and equitable vaccine distribution process.”
Later today, the Governor’s Office and the Oregon Health Authority will announce county risk level movements based on the continued spread of COVID-19 in Oregon communities.
 Things to Know This Week
From the Oregon Health Authority
COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And if you do get sick, you could spread the disease to people you care about.
Natural protection, also known as immunity, may come from getting COVID-19, but evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. Experts don’t know for sure how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.
For more information on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination visit the CDC webpage: http://ow.ly/AaCZ50Eha1m
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COVID-19 Updates
Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to County Risk Levels
Updated risk levels take effect Friday, April 9
Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown announced updates to county risk levels under the state's public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level.
Effective April 9 through April 22, there will be 14 counties in the High Risk level, six at Moderate Risk, and 16 at Lower Risk. As case counts and hospitalizations increase and counties qualify for higher risk levels, restrictions on businesses and activities will resume. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here. *(Washington County remains in Moderate Risk Level).
“We are at a critical moment in this pandemic as we face more contagious variants of COVID-19 taking hold in our communities,” said Governor Brown. “Now more than ever it’s imperative that we all continue wearing masks, maintain physical distance, stay home when sick, and get the vaccine when it’s available to you.”
New statewide metric added for determining Extreme Risk level:
COVID-19 hospitalizations are a key indicator of severe illness in Oregon communities. As vaccine distribution increases, case counts and percent positivity will not be adequate indicators on their own for measuring the threat COVID-19 poses to public health. This week, Oregon is adding a statewide hospitalization metric for moving to Extreme Risk.
Beginning this week, for counties to move to (or remain in) Extreme Risk, they must meet the county metrics for case rates and percent positivity, plus a new statewide metric: COVID-19 positive patients occupying 300 hospital beds or more, and a 15% increase in the seven-day average over the past week. Counties that meet the criteria for Extreme Risk but for the statewide trigger will be assigned to High Risk. This week there are three counties that qualify for Extreme Risk based on their county metrics, but are assigned High Risk because the statewide trigger has not been met: Josephine, Klamath, and Tillamook.
Five counties enter two-week caution period:
The two-week caution period applies to counties facing backward movement. Counties that reduced their COVID-19 spread enough to move down in risk level in the previous two-week period, but see their numbers go back up in the next two-week period, are given a two-week caution period to re-focus efforts to drive back down creeping case numbers and give local businesses additional certainty on their plans for operating.
This week, the caution period applies to five counties:
- Baker County qualifies for Extreme Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.
- Columbia County qualifies for Extreme Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Moderate Risk because it moved down from High Risk in the last movement period.
- Lane County qualifies for Moderate Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.
- Polk County qualifies for High Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Moderate Risk because it moved down from High Risk in the last movement period.
- Yamhill County qualifies for Moderate Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.
The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week's data will provide a "warning week" to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. The next assignment of risk levels will be announced April 20 and take effect April 23.
Updates to Warning Week data and county risk levels will be posted to coronavirus.oregon.gov.
 How to Safely Take Care of your CDC Vaccination Card
Reposted from Teri Mills, RN - Washington County MRC Medical Lead
 Budget Updates
The Oregon House of Representatives last Thursday advanced a series of bills to close out the state’s budget for the 2019-21 biennium and invest about $300 million in response to Oregon’s most urgent needs, including funds for summer learning and child care, emergency shelters, and wildfire recovery.
“Oregonians are depending on this essential aid,” House Speaker Tina Kotek said. “We’ve spent the last year responding to crisis after crisis. As our state continues to recover from the many challenges 2020 brought, this funding package will make urgent investments to help Oregonians who are truly hurting.”
House Bill 5042, which rebalances agency budgets for the 2019-21 biennium, also includes key investments:
- $250 million for a summer learning and child care package to help students and families recover from the educational and emotional losses of the past year living in a global pandemic. The program will create grants for enrichment activities, academic support, child care, and early learning programs. Investments will be made equitably to serve Oregon’s children of color, who have borne a disproportionate impact of the pandemic. Combined with up to about $75 million in federal funds, both in district matching funds and funding for the Employment-Related Day Care Program, as much as $325 million total will be invested in summer learning and child care programs.
- $18 million for low-barrier emergency shelters, known as navigation centers, in Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, McMinnville, and Roseburg. These facilities will be open seven days per week to connect homeless individuals and families with health services, permanent housing, and public benefits. More details are available here.
- More than $5 million to support wildfire-impacted communities across the state as they continue their recovery. The funding allocations were developed following 13 hours of public testimony before the House Special Committee on Wildfire Recovery, which will continue working on further legislation and funding needs for these communities.
HB 5042 passed by a 55-0 margin. Other bills in the rebalance package include HB 5040, HB 5041, SB 846, and SB 5546.
2021 Oregon Budget Virtual Hearings
This month, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means will host the 2021 Oregon Budget Virtual Hearings to receive public feedback on how the Legislature should balance the state budget and use federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, these hearings will be conducted virtually and organized by congressional district. Members of the public will be able to submit written testimony, as well as provide live testimony by phone or video during the hearings. Meeting details will be posted on the Oregon Legislative Information Site.
The co-chairs of the committee released their 2021-23 Budget Framework in March. The document serves as a starting point for the 2021-23 budget cycle.
The date and time for District 1, which contains all of House District 30, is Wednesday April 14th, 5:30-7:30 PM. Oregonians can find their congressional district here.
Written Testimony:
Testimony will be accepted up to 24 hours after the start time of the public hearing. Testimony is uploaded to OLIS as part of the legislative record and made publicly available. To submit testimony electronically, go to: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Testimony/JWM
To submit testimony by mail, send to:
Ways and Means, 900 State Street NE, Room H-178, Salem, OR 97301
Oral Testimony (Live Remotely)
Registration is required to testify by phone or video link. Registration closes at the time the meeting is scheduled to begin.
To register electronically, go to:
District 1: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gEVis1CKyJQFgi
District 2: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AHDgxQGeJVmkoC
District 3: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4PGQ17iFvpyxnPo
District 4: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9EJCb3HDLD9DYi2
District 5: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJT6e1ZhpsjQyrA
If you need assistance with electronic registration, call: 1-833-698-1371
 Community Outreach
Meals on Wheels People: Stride for Seniors Annual Event
Meals on Wheels People have reimagined their annual Stride for Seniors fundraiser for 2021 and COVID-19. Take part in a socially distanced walk on one of the six pre-defined routes, selected for their accommodation of social distancing, and help raise money to ensure home bound seniors are able to get the meals delivered to their homes that they rely on. At the end of the day, there will be a virtual closing program hosted by Poison Waters. More information and the locations of the drive-thru registration sites can be found at the event’s page here.
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Oregon Spring Cleanup
Earth Day is April 22nd. This year, show your love of keeping our planet green by joining a SOLVE clean up event. SOLVE is hosting their annual Spring Cleanup events on and around Saturday, April 17th. Events include litter cleanups, beach cleanups, restoration projects, and tree plantings. Whether looking for something close to home or want to spend a weekend away beautifying our state, SOLVE has events across Oregon. Find an event, get more information, or sign up to host an event on SOLVE's website here.
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Washington County Earth Month Webinar Series
From Washington County: Green Business Leaders
Washington County is celebrating Earth Day with webinars every Tuesday all of April. Join on April 13th for “Beyond the Bin”, April 20th for “Eat Smart, Waste Less”, and April 27th for “Green Cleaners and Healthy Homes”. Webinar times and more details below!
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Tuesday, April 13: Beyond the Bin: Recycling is great, but there are many other actions you can take to conserve resources, save money and even learn new skills! Join us in thinking higher up the waste hierarchy and learn about local options for repair, donation and more. Register for Tuesday, April 13: 12-1 p.m. (English) | 5-6 p.m. (English) | 6-7 p.m. (Spanish)
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Tuesday, April 20: Eat Smart, Waste Less Challenge: Did you know that wasted food costs the average family of four about $1500 per year? Learn more about the economic, environmental and social impacts of food waste and how you can make a difference by participating in our free Eat Smart, Waste Less Challenge. Register for Tuesday, April 20: 12-1 p.m. (English) | 5-6 p.m. (English)
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Tuesday, April 27: Green Cleaners and Healthy Homes: Keeping our homes clean, safe and healthy is a top priority for many of us right now. A representative from Metro's Healthy Homes program will be joining us to share tips on choosing safer products as well as simple recipes for making non-toxic cleaners at home. Register for Tuesday, April 27: 12-1 p.m. (English) | 5-6 p.m. (English) | 6-7 p.m. (Spanish)
One World Films and Conversations: Kiss the Ground
One World Films and Conversations Presents Kiss the Ground
Join 350.org Washington County VIRTUALLY ONLINE for another thought-provoking film and conversation. We hope for a great turnout and conversation just like our past film events. Bring your friends and family and let's explore issues and talk!
Free film and free (you make!) popcorn, and lots of expertise on climate crisis issues in the room to support in-depth conversation. **We'll send the ZOOM link to view the movie in advance of the April 10 showing to those who have registered. Register Here.
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Shoe Drive at Orenco Elementary
 Hillsboro Farmers' Markets Begin Later this Month
Visit HillsboroMarkets.org for more information.
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
 Photos credited to Obie Rutledge: Deputy Chief Clerk of the House
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 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
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