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Friends and Neighbors,
On Sunday, April 18th, former Oregon Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse passed away quietly in her home. She served as a US Representative from Oregon for three terms in the 1990’s, leaving office voluntarily at the end of her third term. Congresswoman Furse spent much of her life championing Native American tribal rights, both during her time in Congress and at Portland State University, where she founded the Institute for Tribal Government after leaving Congress. She was also instrumental in bringing the MAX to the West Side. Beginning with the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa where she was born to her fight for women’s healthcare rights in the US Congress, Elizabeth Furse was a force for positive change in Oregon, our country, and our world. She will be missed.
Information from Oregonlive.com. Read more about Congresswoman Furse here.
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Justice For George Floyd
 I want to acknowledge the verdict that came yesterday, on the murder of George Floyd. It was an emotional day as we awaited the outcome. I am glad that there is justice for Mr. Floyd and his family and that the murderer was found guilty of all charges. However, it is clear that more work needs to be done. I look forward to taking up issues of police accountability that will come to the House Floor when we are able to return to Salem next week. Read this article for more information on the verdict.
House District 30 Virtual Office Hours
This Friday, April 23rd, 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
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COVID-19 Updates
Washington County moves from Moderate to High Risk
Governor Kate Brown yesterday 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 23 through May 6, there will be 23 counties in the High Risk level, three at Moderate Risk, and 10 at Lower Risk. As case counts and hospitalizations increase and counties qualify for higher risk levels, increased safety measures for businesses and activities will resume. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here.
“As we face more contagious variants and increased spread of COVID-19 in our communities, the best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated," said Governor Brown. "Until you, your family, your friends, and your neighbors are fully vaccinated, it's also critical that we all continue to wear masks, maintain physical distance, and stay home when sick.”
Statewide hospitalization metrics for determining Extreme Risk:
For counties to move to (or remain in) Extreme Risk, they must meet the county metrics for case rates and percent positivity, plus statewide hospitalization metrics: COVID-19 positive patients occupying 300 hospital beds or more, and a 15% increase in the seven-day hospitalization average over the past week. This week there are 11 counties that qualify for Extreme Risk based on their county metrics, but are assigned High Risk because the statewide hospitalization triggers have not been met: Baker, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Linn, Marion, and Polk.
Three 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 three counties:
- Grant County qualifies for High Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.
- Malheur 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.
- Umatilla 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.
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 May 4 and take effect May 7.
Updates to Warning Week data and county risk levels will be posted to coronavirus.oregon.gov.
Link to Sector Guidance by Risk Level
Washington County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
From Washington County
As of April 19, 2021, every Oregonian ages 16 and up is eligible for a vaccine. There is still less vaccine supply than necessary to meet the needs of everyone who wants it. We ask for your continued patience until we get more vaccine (coming soon!).
Please do not double-book or no-show for your appointment.
Oregon Convention Center: Sign up here and you will be sent an invitation when a vaccine is available to you. Names are selected at random from eligible pool.
OHSU drive-thru clinics at Hillsboro Stadium and PDX Airport Red Economy Lot: Schedule online via OHSU's tool. New appointments are released at 9 a.m. most weekdays. They are typically gone in 30-60 minutes. Watch a short video about the Hillsboro Stadium vaccination site and procedures.
Local pharmacies:
Washington County-Sponsored Community Clinics:
April 23-24: Drive-thru clinic at Nike campus in Beaverton. In partnership with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Nike and City of Beaverton. Pfizer vaccine. Schedule appointment here.
Watch our video to learn more about scheduling an appointment, and find out how we are vaccinating those hardest hit by the pandemic.
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Sixteen And 17-Year-Olds Are Now Eligible for Vaccine: What’s Different for Them?
From the Oregon Health Authority
Now, everyone in Oregon who is 16 and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. If you’re 16 or 17, or the parent/guardian of someone who is, here’s what you need to know:
- Pfizer is the only vaccine that is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by people under the age of 18.
- Sixteen and 17-year-old people should look for appointments in locations that have access to the Pfizer vaccine.
- Not all vaccine websites tell you what kind of vaccine is available. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is working to increase information about the type of vaccine that’s available. VaccineFinder.org does allow you to search for locations that provide the Pfizer vaccine.
- There are some areas of the state where the Pfizer vaccine is not readily available. OHA is working to expand the availability of Pfizer throughout the state.
- Under Oregon law, minors 15 and older may give consent to medical treatment, including vaccinations, provided by a physician, physician assistant, naturopath, nurse practitioner, dentist or optometrist, or others operating under the license of these providers, without the consent of a parent or guardian.
- It is OHA’s understanding that most locations where COVID-19 vaccinations are provided have oversight by a medical provider who would meet the definition of the provider types listed above, and therefore consent of a parent or guardian should not be required for a 16- or 17-year-old who wishes to get the Pfizer vaccine. Providers administering COVID-19 vaccinations to 16- or 17-year-old people should make it clear at the time a vaccine appointment is made whether consent from a parent or guardian will be required.
- The vaccine is free. You do not need to have insurance to use it. If you do have insurance, you may be asked for an insurance card so that an administration fee can be billed to the insurance company.
- You do not need to bring proof of eligibility, identification, social security number or health insurance. Vaccine providers may ask if you live in Oregon or what kind of work you do.
For more information on vaccination for 16 and 17-year-old people, see the FAQ on OHA’s webpage.
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Find a COVID Shot Oregon
Information provided by Jeff McNamee
This site is basically a clearinghouse of vaccination options for Oregonians and anyone in SW Washington. Anyone with the link can view it: Find a COVID Shot Oregon
Thoughts from a Vaccination Site Volunteer
Please read the beautifully written opinion piece, submitted by my friend and Hillsboro City Councilor Beach Pace. Published in Pamplin Media.
I have been volunteering at the Hillsboro Stadium vaccination site. I was assigned to checking people in as they drive up in their cars. The mix of emotions was funny and, in the aggregate, uplifting and inspiring.
People were bringing their parents; some brought their pets. Some people were excited, some were nervous, quiet and sullen and others were in the mindset of "let's do this!" My favorite were the jokesters who, as they pulled up to me, "placed an order" for a cheeseburger and fries. Some brought us coffee or candy to say thanks.
Then, there were the dogs. Some were cute, some were leery of me, some were super-excited to be there with their tails wildly wagging. Each brought joy or calm to their slightly nervous owners.
The cars ranged from beat-up trucks to BMWs. Parents, kids, aunts, uncles, grandparents and neighbors (who couldn't drive themselves or who were afraid to go alone). Medical transports and in one case, an ambulance. The person was too frail to be transported any other way.
It was a cross-section of our community, all there to do their part to be safe and make others safe.
I cannot recall a more unifying event in my life that hit such a wide swath of people. I've been in full soccer stadiums in England, I've stood with strangers in the path of the last eclipse but this…
This is something else.
This doesn't just bring together sports fans or celestial enthusiasts. What brought them there varied. Fear, respect for others, grandparents who desperately want to hug their grandkids again, newly minted first responders getting ready for duty.
But mostly, hope. Hope that if we each do this, we can be "normal" again.
As things were wrapping up and I was assigned closer to the actual vaccination tent, I was watching the medical staff. They were moving in and out between cars, talking, laughing, answering the questions of those to be vaccinated. The sun had dropped, and the wind was pressing at my back. My hood was up and my scarf was tight around my neck as I stood with my traffic baton at the ready to direct exiting cars into the waiting area. I watched nurses and doctors giving shots with frozen hands and applying band aids afterwards with such care as though the newly vaccinated were 5 years old. And they were doing this over and over and over and over again. All the while smiling.
Each car that drove into the waiting area was one step closer. One step closer to social freedom for all of us. One step closer to fully opening schools, businesses and restaurants. Full concert halls and sports stadiums and packed family reunions with long hugs. Person-to-person connection is making a comeback.
The team vaccinated 1,600 people that day. And this same thing is happening all over the country every day.
What happens here impacts you and what happens where you live impacts me and, again, I can think of no bigger or stronger unifying event where each and every person could do their part. Nothing else has ever torn us apart and then brought us together quite like this. It is all truly remarkable.
Beach Pace is a Hillsboro city councilor and U.S. Army veteran.
Legislative Updates
The Oregon House has put a pause on Floor Sessions for the remainder of this week due to a positive COVID-19 case at the Capitol, but I wanted to highlight some of the important bills passed in the time since last week's update:
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HB 2508 makes telehealth services accessible to Oregonians, especially rural, senior, BIPOC and LGBTQIIA+ communities.
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HB 3115 ensures people experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity, ensuring they are protected from fines or arrest for sleeping or camping on public property when there are no other options.
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HB 3389 provides an estimated $2.4 billion in unemployment insurance relief over the next 10-years to small businesses who have been impacted the most.
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HB 3041 modernizes the Oregon Equality Act of 2007 by differentiating “gender identity” and “sexual orientation,” two distinct aspects of a person’s identity, to protect transgender and gender nonconforming folx from discrimination.
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HB 2623 limits the price of insulin under a health benefit plan and tie future price increases to cost of living.
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HB 2966 extends the grace period to repay back rent, as businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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HB 2681 protects the right to vote by prohibiting the failure to vote as a valid reason for moving a voter to inactive status.
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HB 3183 provides deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing children with access to crucial resources to help ensure their success.
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HB 3117 limits when rent can be increased for Oregonians in subsidized housing offered by public providers, ensuring that more vulnerable Oregonians can afford to stay in their homes.
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HB 2393 requires cab and transportation network companies to provide their drivers with liability and personal injury insurance, so that drivers aren’t on the hook financially for on-the-job accidents.
Celebrate Earth Day
Tomorrow, April 22nd, is Earth Day. Please enjoy the resources my office has put together in celebration of our wondrous planet. Remember, there is no Planet B. We all need to do our part to protect this Earth for generations to come.
Bring Your Bag
Remember to #BringYourBag with you when you are out shopping. Avoid having to pay a fee for a single use bag. Reduce plastic waste by bringing your own bag.
 
HCR 24
On Monday in the Oregon House, we passed HCR 24 commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Oregon's Bottle Bill. I was a Chief Sponsor of this Resolution and I was honored to speak to it on the House Floor.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Oregon Governor Tom McCall was instrumental in driving environmental change in Oregon. Not only was he a champion and supporter of Oregon’s bottle bill, but he helped pave the way on land use planning and the open beach bill, cleaning up the Willamette River, and forming the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
To see how well our Bottle Bill functions, and how necessary it remains today, one need only travel to a state that doesn’t have a similar policy in place. In Oregon, we’ve grown accustomed to the fact that it’s unusual to see a bottle or can littered in our special public spaces, but that is not the case in many places. In fact, not only was Oregon’s Bottle Bill the first in the nation, but to this day it remains one of the most effective Bottle Bills in existence, routinely delivering a redemption rate in the 80-90% range. It has maintained a high redemption rate, and has grown and changed with time, now applying to all sorts of beverage container types, and allowing a wide range of redemption options. Oregon’s Bottle Bill was ahead of its time, placing the redemption value in statute, and leaving the responsibility to run the system on the producers of the materials -setting an important trend for the future in producer responsibility.
As you can see by the graphic below, the Bottle Bill has changed and evolved over time, and today, remains one of the strongest in the nation, allowing me to reflect on what an honor it is to serve as a member of the legislative assembly, and particularly to do so in Oregon, where we share in the legacy of a number of important and historic legislative breakthroughs.
United States Against Plastic Rally
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Last week I was honored to participate in the U.S.PIRG sponsored "United States Against Plastic Rally" with other legislators from across the nation discussing our efforts to combat the over-production and over-consumption of plastics in our environment.
You can watch the entire event on YouTube here.
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Over 1,200 State and Local Officials from all 50 States Call on Congress to Seize Historic Moment to Pass President Biden's American Jobs Plan
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I’m proud to join more than 1,200 fellow state and local elected officials from every state & DC calling on Congress to pass bold clean energy infrastructure package to enable us to fully recover while tackling the climate crisis. clmtpwr.us/local-letter |
Wood Stove Exchange Program
From Washington County
 In the 2019 Session, I proudly Co-Chief Sponsored HB 3408, a bipartisan/bicameral bill that benefitted this program.
Washington County is offering a $250 incentive to residents who turn in their old, uncertified wood stoves or wood stove inserts or those certified between 1986-1992. Only 40 stoves/inserts will be accepted at this one-day event.
When: Saturday, May 1, 2021, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Far West Recycling, 6440 SE Alexander St., Hillsboro
Why: Old wood stoves pollute the air and can harm the health of the owner and their neighbors. In addition, anyone selling a home with a wood stove or fireplace insert in Oregon must ensure it was certified to meet emissions performance standards at the time of manufacture. If it was not certified, state law requires it to be removed, destroyed and disposed of when a home is sold.
How: Interested participants must register online ahead of time. Only 40 stoves will be accepted. Additional instructions are provided on the County’s webpage.
“This is a great opportunity for Washington County residents who want to get rid of their old wood stove and don’t want to replace it with a new one,” said Washington County Housing Rehabilitation Specialist Tim Davis. “For those who want to replace their old wood stove with a new one, our Wood Stove Exchange Program is a better option.”
Under the Wood Stove Exchange Program, qualifying residents can receive a rebate of $1,500-$3,500 when they replace their old or uncertified wood stove with a cleaner heating device. Some households may qualify for a full-cost replacement, depending on their income. The program was suspended for the past year due to the pandemic, but it has now reopened. More information is available at www.WoodStoveExchange.com.
For more information about the turn-in event or the exchange program, call 503-846-4425.
Celebrate Earth Month with Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling!
From Washington County Solid Waste and Recycling
The Washington County Earth Week (and beyond) Challenge starts today! It's free and open to all ages. Anyone who lives or works in Washington County is invited to play.
It's easy to join! Download the GooseChase app for iOS or Android and enter game code R7419E or search WashCo Earth Week. You can sign up as a guest or create an account.
Choose from hundreds of missions to earn points and win prizes. It's a great way for families, friends, classes, neighborhood groups and more to make a difference while staying safe and socially distant.
Here are just a few examples of missions:
- Take a selfie with your favorite house plant.
- Borrow/replace a book from a Little Free Library.
- Visit the Clean Water Services waste treatment facility at Fernhill Wetlands and share one thing you’ve learned.
- Dress up as Recyclops or in your favorite costume made of reused materials and share a picture of you taking out your garbage/recycling.
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Find us on Facebook for special bonus missions!
Submissions will be accepted until May 22.
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Community Outreach
Family Justice Center of Washington County Annual Denim & Diamonds Gala
The Family Justice Center of Washington County is hosting their annual fundraising event, Denim and Diamonds: All Dressed Up With No Place To Go. This year they will hold the live and silent auction online and I will be the emcee of the event. Join me in welcoming everyone in the community to join in support of ending the cycle of violence in Washington County and register to attend. There is no cost to attend the online event.
The silent auction runs May 9-14th. The online event and live auction will be May 14th starting at 6:30pm.
Register here: Denim and Diamonds Gala
Seed Bomb Kits from Hillsboro SPLASH
From Hillsboro Parks and Recreation
SPLASH (Students Pursuing Leadership and Serving Hillsboro) is a group of Middle School Students who are dedicated to making a difference in the Hillsboro community. Join them next week at Hidden Creek Community Center as they hand out FREE, Pollinator Friendly Seed Bomb Kits. This is a great Mother's Day gift/activity!
- Saturday, April 24th
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Hidden Creek Community Center
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Earth Day Haiku
From House District 30 Constituent, Helena Vargas, age 11
 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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