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Friends and Neighbors,
House District 30 Virtual Office Hours
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This Friday, May 14, 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.
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Join Zoom Meeting
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COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
Governor Kate Brown Sets Vaccination Targets for Oregon to Begin to More Fully Reopen Economy
Most restrictions to be lifted statewide when 70% of Oregonians 16 and older receive first dose. Beginning May 21, counties eligible for option to move to Lower Risk when 65% of county residents 16 and older receive first dose and submit plan to close vaccine equity gaps.County Risk level movements announced for Friday, May 14: Three counties move down to Moderate Risk
Governor Kate Brown yesterday announced vaccination targets to more fully reopen Oregon's economy, setting a 70% statewide goal to reach Oregonians 16 and older with a first dose to lift most Risk Level restrictions. Additionally, beginning on May 21, counties will have the option of moving to the Lower Risk level once 65% of county residents 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose, and counties have submitted a complete plan to close equity gaps in vaccination.
“Thanks to you, Oregon, it looks like we’ve crossed the tipping point of the fourth surge,” said Governor Brown. "Our hospitalization rates have stabilized. Our infection rates are on a downward trajectory. And in the race between vaccines and variants, our efforts to vaccinate Oregonians are taking the lead.
"We still have some work to do to reach our 70% goal, but I am confident we can get there in June and return Oregon to a sense of normalcy.
“So Oregon, this is our goal. We each play a part. If you have already been vaccinated, thank you. Now help a friend, family member or neighbor make an appointment. Spread the word that folks can call 2-1-1 or visit covidvaccine.oregon.gov for more information.”
Statewide lifting of Risk Level framework
Statewide, the Governor announced her goal that Oregon reach 70% of the population 16 and older with a first vaccine dose in order to more fully reopen Oregon’s economy by lifting most of the health and safety restrictions imposed by the Risk Level framework.
- After achieving 70%, Oregon may continue requiring some use of masks and physical distancing and will continue to evaluate the use of these tools as we learn more from the CDC and evaluate Oregon’s COVID-19 conditions and experience.
- All other health and safety requirements for counties under the Risk Level framework will be lifted, and counties will no longer be assigned risk levels. (Oregon public schools will still be required to follow Ready Schools, Safe Learners health and safety requirements, with the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education updating that guidance for the 2021-22 school year to lift most restrictions based on CDC guidance.)
- Statewide, Oregon must continue to work towards closing equity gaps for communities of color.
Counties eligible for option to move to Lower Risk, beginning May 21
Beginning May 21, the Governor announced, counties will have the option to move weekly to the Lower Risk health and safety restrictions in Oregon’s Risk Level Framework. County movements will be announced on May 18. To move to Lower Risk, counties must:
- Reach 65% of the county population 16 or older with a first vaccine dose.
- Submit a complete plan to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) which details how the county will close the equity gaps in their vaccination efforts.
- Counties will be eligible for state resources to help achieve these goals, and will be eligible for additional funding as they demonstrate making progress towards closing their equity gaps.
County Risk Level movements, effective May 14
Governor Brown today also announced updates to county risk levels under the state's public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. This week, Grant, Lincoln, and Wasco counties will move to the Moderate Risk level, down from High Risk. Effective Friday, May 14, 21 counties will remain in High Risk, 7 counties will be in Moderate Risk, and 8 counties will be in Lower Risk.
A complete list of counties and their risk levels is available here.
With Oregon no longer meeting the statewide hospitalization metrics for Extreme Risk, following this week, Oregon will return to a two-week cycle for risk level changes for counties that have not vaccinated at least 65% of their population. Following the announcement of county movements to Lower Risk based on reaching vaccination goals on May 18, the next risk level changes will be announced on Tuesday, May 25, to take effect on Friday, May 28.
Current Vaccine Data
Visit Oregon Health Authority vaccine data tables here to see the current rates of COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon and by County.
 Find a COVID-19 Vaccine in Washington County
From Washington County Health and Human Services
As of April 19, 2021, every Oregonian ages 16 and up is eligible for a vaccine. Now is a great time to schedule your appointment!
Please do not double-book or no-show for your appointment.
NEW! You can now WALK IN to the Oregon Convention Center for a vaccination, or you can schedule your own first-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointment there via this new website. It works best using Chrome, Edge or Safari. The Pfizer vaccine is given at this location, so it's a great option for those ages 16 and up.
Get Vaccinated Oregon Sign up here and you will be sent an invitation when a vaccine appointment is available to you. Appointments are for the Oregon Convention Center as well as other locations, including some in Washington County. Children ages 12-15 should be authorized and eligible SOON for the Pfizer vaccine. You can sign them up on Get Vaccinated Oregon's website NOW.
OHSU drive-through clinics at Hillsboro Stadium and PDX Airport Red Economy Lot: Schedule online via OHSU's tool. Watch a short video about the Hillsboro Stadium vaccination site and procedures.
Local pharmacies: As of April 27, 2021, pharmacies are required to offer second/boost doses to people who received their first dose somewhere else.
Visit Washington County Vaccine Information site here for further information.
 Legislative Updates
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
ARPA, or the American Rescue Plan Act, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus for our communities across the U.S. who have been most affected by COVID and the economic recession. In Oregon, each state legislator has a specific allotment to be used on local projects in consultation with their communities—these projects range from housing and small business support to local programs like after-school programs (and much much more). This funding will help save lives, revamp our economy and help our communities get back on their feet.
Together, with Representative McLain and Senator Riley, we collaborated to invest our $8 million fund allotment to make the greatest impact on the areas of Western Washington County that we represent. The list of investments we are requesting will benefit:
- Affordable Housing
- Houseless/Homeless Support
- Education
- Protecting our Environment
- Healthcare
- Food Security
- Senior Support
- Parks & Recreation Infrastructure
- Pedestrian Safety
- Direct Investments for our LatinX and AAPI Community Projects
Remote Testimony Could be Here to Stay at the Oregon Capitol
From OregonLive.com by Chris Lehman
According to this article on OregonLive, "So far this session, with committee hearings held entirely on virtual platforms, people have signed up to address legislative committees more than 14,000 times. That’s already well over the number who sought to testify in person in 2019, with more than six weeks remaining in this year’s session."
Additionally, it was noted that over 1,200 committee hearings have taken place virtually with 98% of those being free of technological issues.
HB 2560, which has passed the House, would require the legislature and local governments to offer remote testimony even after the pandemic ends. This will allow for greater access to all Oregonians that want to have their voice heard in government.
Read the full article here.
House Bill 2498 Passed
HB 2498, a bill I brought forward at the request of a constituent has now passed both the House and Senate and been signed by the Governor!
 This bill concept was requested by a constituent in House District 30, David Barovian. David was quoted in an article about the bill passage.
“This would help a police officer or an emergency person know that I cannot hear them,” Barovian said. “It would make me feel less worried if I were stopped by a police officer for any reason.” Read the full article here.
A BIG thank you to Chad Ludwig, from Research and Resource Center with Deaf Communities, for his advocacy and helping our office all along the way, right up to the finish line. This is a WIN for Oregonians.
Education Updates
From Stem Oregon
 Oregon STEM hubs have partnered with national leader ReMake Learning Days Across America to supercharge STEM Week Oregon 2021! ReMake Learning Days brings national partners such as Common Sense Media, PBS Kids, Noggin, Learning Heroes and 16 regions together to create the world’s largest hands-on learning festival for youth and families across America. The festival celebrates in and out-of-school educators for the work they do with students pre-K through 12th grade.
Visit here for daily challenge activities and more information.
Oregon STEM Hub Network Leading the Way on STEM Education
From Oregon Business Plan
In celebration of STEM Week Oregon, May 8-16, STEM advocates have released a new, compelling video outlining Oregon’s vision for STEM education. As part of our Shared Prosperity agenda, the Oregon Business Plan supports STEM learning and its role in preparing Oregonians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
The video highlights the impact that Oregon’s STEM Hub Network and its partners have on learners across the state. Oregon’s 13 Regional STEM Hubs bring together education, community, nonprofit, and business partners to connect students with real world learning opportunities and to empower educators.
 Community Outreach
Family Justice Center of Washington County - Denim & Diamonds Gala
Join me this Friday night as I emcee the live event from 6:30-8:00 pm. Or visit their site now and bid on the silent auction throughout the week. Proceeds support the Family Justice Center of Washington County, a non-profit organization offering wrap-around services to survivors of domestic violence, all in one place.
 Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
I had the wonderful opportunity to learn about Miracle Boulos in a recent House Education Committee. Miracle is blind and a 4th grade student in the Reynolds School District. I learned she loved her teacher reading Harry Potter stories to her and really enjoyed it when it was read in a British accent. I was intrigued and wanted to meet Miracle myself and share some read time and even offered a British accent myself. We talked about plans for Mother’s Day and I got to see the handmade card she made for her mom. Miracle told me that she wanted to make her mom breakfast, but she did not know how to cook. So we discussed how we could get her 15 year brother to help her make that happen. I read two books that morning; My Oregon, written by Brigette Harrington and Horton Hatches the Egg, by Dr. Seuss. I shared with her about how Brigette wrote the story when she was nine and lives in House District 30. What a fun and memorable morning it was talking with Miracle. At the end of our conversation, we talked about meeting again. It is moments like this that I am so grateful to be in this position.
Read this article, from KGW, highlighting Miracle and how blind, visually impaired students deal with challenges of distance learning.
 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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