|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we get closer and closer to Sine Die, the budget work gets more intense as we push to meet our deadline at the end of the month. Today I had a two-hour hearing in the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, followed almost immediately by a session of the full Ways and Means Committee where we voted on 24 bills! I am especially looking forward to finishing all of the budget bills in the Education subcommittee.
Enjoy the beautiful weather coming our way. I always love this time of year when youth activities are starting to ramp up. Don't forget to support your local activities and events happening around the community.
2021 Session Committee Assignments
Joint Committee On Ways and Means
Joint Committee On Transportation - Co-Chair
House Committee On Agriculture and Natural Resources - Vice Chair
Joint Committee On the Interstate 5 Bridge - Co-Chair
Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Education - Co-Chair
2019-2020 Joint Emergency Board
How to Participate this Session
Watch all Oregon State Legislature Live-Streams and Meetings HERE
Track all 2021 Session Bills HERE
 |
|
Instructions for how to testify:
English instructions here
Aquí están las instrucciones
|
|
The world is facing the largest refugee crisis in global history where an unprecedented 79.5 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Since 1975, the United States has admitted 3.1 million refugees, and Oregon has resettled 67,743. Let's celebrate World Refugee Day this year by learning about the history, contribution and stories of the immigrant and refugee community and how you can be in solidarity. Senator Kayse Jama's office has put together the following events this year:
June 16 from 6-7:30 PM: Immigrant Justice Town Hall - Join legislators and community partner organizations as we discuss legislation that uplifts immigrants and refugees this session. Bills to be discussed are:
- HB 3230 – Universal Representation
- HB 3265 – Sanctuary Promise Act
- HB 2819 – No Worker Left Behind
- SB 718 – Welcoming Refugees
- SB 778 – Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement
June 17 from 2-3 PM: Immigrants and Refugees Stories - Hear the first-hand stories and experiences of immigrant and refugee life from legislators and community leaders in this special panel as they share what it means to be an immigrant and/or refugee in Oregon.
HB 2100 - Modernizing our Homelessness Response
The Legislature passed HB 2100, which will modernize the statute to Oregon’s homelessness services system. Brought to the Legislature at the request of Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), this will be the department’s first major statutory update for the state’s homelessness services system in over 30-years. The bill prioritizes community-driven solutions and partnerships, establishing a 19-member Taskforce on Homelessness and Racial Disparities that will collaborate with OHCS to usher in critical and culturally responses services.
“As a case worker, I am on the frontlines of Oregon’s housing and homelessness crises. Hear me when I say that homelessness is not a character flaw, but a policy failure that we can fix,” said Rep. Wlnsvey Campos (D-Aloha), who carried the bill. “This is an opportunity for us to turn the page and build a framework for culturally-responsive and equitable services, focusing on the outcomes for Oregonians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and bringing more seats to the table to address this crisis. We are centering people and their humanity.”
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are systemically denied the same rights and economic opportunities as white communities, impacting how BIPOC families are able to acquire wealth and build generational prosperity. In Oregon and across the U.S., BIPOC are disproportionately impacted by the housing instability and homelessness crisis and are more likely to be unsheltered. Today, Oregon remains one of the top five states in the nation for rates of unsheltered homelessness, including unsheltered rural, family, youth, and veteran homelessness.
The bill defines culturally responsive organizations, services and culturally specific providers as a needed part of the process for distributing homelessness services resources.
The taskforce will make recommendations for funding structures for homeless service resources, leveraging the expertise of people with lived experience, urban and rural homelessness service providers, local and community agencies and organizations.
The legislation will codify the State Homelessness Assistance Program and Emergency Housing assistance program under the Emergency Housing Account, and will require the OHCS to administer federal programs with the advice of the housing stability council.
The bill passed 46-13 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill 2004 B - Project Turnkey Shelter Funding
The Oregon House voted to allocate general fund dollars for the creation and maintenance of emergency shelter units to help unhoused Oregonians. House Bill 2004 B appropriates $9.7 million to the Department of Administrative Services for distribution to the Oregon Community Foundation for acquisition, renovation, and operation of shelters through Project Turnkey. The projects funded by this legislation would add a combined total of 132 units of shelter in Deschutes, Multnomah, Malheur and Yamhill counties.
“Last year’s wildfires created a need for emergency shelters across the state, and they also highlighted the preexisting need many Oregonians had for these services,” said Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), who carried the bill on the House floor. “As we had hoped, local governments embraced the Project Turnkey opportunity, and applications for qualified projects have exceeded available funding for non-wildfire affected areas of the state.”
In 2020, the Legislature allocated $65 million General Fund for the purpose of acquiring motels and hotels for use as non-congregate shelter for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Oregon Community Foundation has administered the funding under contract with the Department of Administrative Services, conducting and application and selection process with guidance from an advisory committee consisting of stakeholders at the state and local level.
Project awards to date are as follows:
-
The $30 million that was designated for shelter opportunities in counties or tribal communities impacted by the 2020 wildfires has been fully allocated, resulting in the funding of seven projects for a total of 388 units in six counties.
-
Another $35 million designated for shelter opportunities in remaining areas of the state. $31.2 million has been allocated to date.
Demand for the remaining $3.8 million is oversubscribed, with four remaining potential projects in due diligence, in Deschutes, Multnomah, Malheur and Yamhill counties. Another $9.7 million is needed to allow these remaining projects -- which could add a combined total of 132 units of shelter, to go forward.
HB 2004 B passed 48-10, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
SB 744 - Review of Graduation Requirements
The Oregon House voted in support of SB 744, which requires the Oregon Department of Education to do a comprehensive review of all high school diploma options (high school diploma, modified diploma, extended diploma and alternative certificate) and requirements, report to the Legislature and State School Board with the results and findings, and suspend the Essential Learning Skills requirement for one additional year while under review. The bill emphasizes equity, accessibility, and inclusivity in both processes and outcomes.
“It’s time to understand just what we want to see in the next generation of Oregonians,” said Sen. Lew Frederick (D-Portland).
The bill includes a comparison of our Oregon high school diploma requirements with diploma requirements in other states, as well as an analysis of employer and post-secondary institution skill and knowledge expectations.
“As a teacher, I can say this firsthand: It is time for a comprehensive review of high school diploma requirements with all stakeholders at the table and it is imperative that we ensure each Oregon student has an equal opportunity to receive their diploma and meet necessary requirements,” said Rep. Paul Evans (D-Monmouth). “I’m proud to support SB 744. This will help us work toward a more equitable and sustainable measure of student success and proficiency.”
In addition to passing grades in required courses, Oregon students must demonstrate proficiency through an Essential Skills requirement, added in 2009. Many districts report challenges in implementing this requirement as it was originally intended.
“The original goal of the Essential Skills requirement was to make sure that students can actually apply their learning outside the classroom and in real-world situations. We need to get back to that original goal, and SB 744 will get us there,” said Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-Portland).
The Department of Education, in light of pandemic challenges facing our students, families and educators, suspended the Essential Skills requirement due to COVID. SB 744 will further suspend Essential Skills through the 2023-2024 school years as the review, recommendations, and policymaking proceed so that outdated requirements do not act as a filler while the board, department, and legislature make modifications.
The review will also incorporate the new Civics Education requirement that the legislature passed earlier this session in SB 513.
The bill passed 38-18 and now heads to the Governor’s desk.
As of today, half of all Oregonians who are 18 years and older have completed their vaccination series, according to CDC vaccination data!
 |
 |
Washington Co. Vaccine Information:
Every Oregonian age 12 and up is eligible for a vaccine. Twelve to 14 year-olds must be accompanied by either a parent, guardian or someone designated by the parent. If someone other than a parent or guardian accompanies the 12 to 14-year-old, they will need to provide proof of parental/guardian consent.
Proof of consent is either:
- A signed consent form (available in English and Spanish on the All4OR.org site)
- A written or typed note that includes the parent/guardians name, relationship to the young adult, their date of birth, a statement saying they consent to young adult being vaccinated and the parent/guardian signature.
Fifteen-year-olds do not need to be accompanied, and do not require parental consent in the state of Oregon.
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. From June 1-19, the OCC will offer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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.
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. on Mondays and Thursdays at the very least. Other days are often added at the last minute, so you might want to visit OHSU's page weekdays at 9 a.m. if you are looking for an appointment.
-
PDX Airport: First doses ended on May 30. Second doses will be given at PDX through June 19.
-
Hillsboro Stadium: First and second doses will be given through June 25, then the site will close. Those who get first doses at the site in June will be scheduled for a second dose at a Hillsboro Medical Center location.
Washington County-sponsored community clinics open to public: Appointments are preferred at our clinics, but you can walk in up to an hour before the clinic closes. Further details for the following clinics are available at the scheduling link.
- June 19: Hillsboro Senior Center, 750 SE 8th Ave. Walk in from 10-11 a.m. Moderna or Johnson & Johnson (18+).
Tektronix/Beaverton: Virginia Garcia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host a 2-week, large scale vaccination clinic on the Tektronix campus. The clinic can administer up to 500 vaccinations a day. It will start on Friday, June 18 and run through Friday, July 2. Pfizer and J & J will be available. Stay tuned for hours and more details.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Centers: All vaccination events are open to the community, do not require an appointment, and do not require you to be a Virginia Garcia patient. You do not have to have insurance in order to receive a vaccine. If you have insurance, please bring your card with you. Remember, vaccines are free!
Local pharmacies: As of April 27, 2021, pharmacies are required to offer second/boost doses to people who received their first dose somewhere else.
How much does the vaccine cost? Vaccines are provided free of charge to the recipient. If you have health insurance, you may be asked to provide that information so the vaccinator can bill your insurance an administration fee.
|
 |
 |
 |
National Numbers:
-
Confirmed Cases: 33,442,107
-
Deaths: 599,486
- These national numbers come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can view their national and state by state data here.
Oregon Status Report:
- Oregon now has 205,154 total cases (confirmed and presumptive) of COVID-19.
- Today we have 249 new confirmed and presumptive cases, and 5 new deaths.
- A total of 2,759 Oregonians have died from COVID-19 (previous daily case updates from OHA here)
- Washington County has 26,650 confirmed cases, including 252 deaths.
-
The Oregon Health Authority provides a Public Health Indicators Dashboard to enable communities across Oregon to monitor COVID-19 in the state. The dashboard, which will be updated weekly on Thursdays, provides a transparent report that presents complex epidemiological data in an interactive, easy-to-understand way on a state and county level
 |
 |
Hillsboro native honored as 'Go For Broke' Nisei soldier in WWII
He fought for a country that didn't trust him. And back home in Hillsboro, he fought to bring that injustice to light.
Hillsboro native Arthur (Art) Iwasaki, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 97, was among those honored Monday, June 14, at the Oregon Historical Society, in celebration of the release of a U.S. Postal Service stamp commemorating the Japanese American soldiers who served during World War II.
The ceremony — "Go For Broke Soldiers: Japanese American Soldiers of WWII" — was recorded and can be watched at StampOurStory.org. Among the honorees were former Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and four generations of the descendants of the soldiers, known as Nisei.
As part of the ceremony, actor Ken Yoshikawa read a letter to the Hillsboro Argus that was written by Iwasaki, a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who was awarded the Bronze Star while serving in Europe, after his return to the United States.
"It was long overdue," said Christi Iwasaki, Art Iwasaki's daughter. "It was really frustrating, because it's an important piece of history. They had to overcome a lot of hurdles. I'm glad they got this. It's really nice that they're being honored."
Iwasaki's nephew, Ron Iwasaki of Hillsboro and himself a veteran — he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War — said he was sad so few of the Nisei survived to see this moment.
Only 10 Nisei veterans are believed to be alive in the greater Portland area, Ron Iwasaki said. Four were invited to Monday's event, but only Yoshiro Tokiwa, also a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was able to attend.
Iwasaki was born in Hillsboro to Yasukichi and Ito Iwasaki. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1938, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served as a radioman to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, I Company.
While deployed in France, Iwasaki was injured by shrapnel from an artillery shell, then again when the Jeep carrying him to a field hospital struck a landmine, according to the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, which profiled Iwasaki in a 2013 newsletter. Despite his injuries, Iwasaki helped the other two servicemen in the truck into a ditch and out of harm's way.
In recognition, he was awarded two Purple Hearts, along with the Bronze Star.
After the war, Iwasaki returned to the family farm and along with his older brothers, George and Akira, and grew the bedding plant business known as Iwasaki Brothers. He married Teri Yumibe in 1949, and they raised five children, including Christi.
The couple also started their own nursery, Tanasacres Nursery.
In retirement, Iwasaki spent time bringing the stories of the Nisei soldiers to light. He established two scholarship programs: the Oregon Nisei Veterans scholarship and the Art and Teri Iwasaki Scholarship for high school seniors demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and community service through the Japanese American Living Legacy Organizations. He also returned to France to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Liberation of Bruyeres and Biffontaine.
The U.S. Postal Service released the new stamp earlier this month. Ceremonies have taken place, or are planned, across the country.
Read more about this amazing story here: Hillsboro News-Times
|
Hillsboro Chamber: Sizzling Summer Business Guide
The Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce officially released the 2021 Sizzling Summer Business Guide- your guide to shopping, eating, spending and enjoying locally right here in Hillsboro.
We all win when we keep our dollars local in Hillsboro. When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in Hillsboro – your neighborhood and your community. Small businesses generate $68 of local economic return for every $100 spent with them. When you shop, eat, spend and enjoy locally you are individually stimulating our local economy, and keeping Hillsboro a wonderful place to live, work and play.
We all know what difficult, challenging times our small businesses have faced, and we all want to help. A great way to do that is contributing to their bottom line. Every dollar you spend in a small business takes them one step closer to recovery. Thank you for stepping up and out to support our businesses and our community.
|
Important Info on P-EBT & Childcare
P-EBT benefits will be issued for the 2020-2021 school year beginning in July. In order to qualify for this round of benefits, families must have a current Application for Free and Reduced Meals on file for the 2020-2021 school year. Please visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/pages/p-ebt.aspx for more information.
Similarly, FGSD will be partnering with Champions to offer reimbursed childcare costs over the summer at their sites for families qualifying for Free or Reduced meals in the 2020-21 School Year. Please apply at https://www.ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp to ensure qualification for either of these programs or call the Nutrition Services department at 503 359 8110 ext 4554 to check your status. Applications must be received by June 30th, 2021.
|
Partnership aids Forest Grove and local area students down career path
The high-tech sector has long been one of Washington County's leading industries.
But while tech companies are among the county's top employers, they have also long struggled to fill their job openings with local applicants. They often require highly skilled workers who have advanced training and experience in technical fields.
In Forest Grove, a partnership is helping to meet the needs of Westside employers while also providing opportunities for local students.
Forest Grove High School, Lam Research Corp. and Portland Community College are working together to furnish mechatronics students with a path to an education, job and pathway into a lucrative career.
Mechatronics instructor John Worst, who has been teaching at Forest Grove for five years and has been a part of PCC's Industrial Advisory Committee for three years, is excited about the program and where it can take Viking students beyond their years in high school.
"There is a need for talent in this field, and I think the industry is wise to catch the talent when a student is forming their post-high school plans," Worst said. "They can go work for them and go to school at the same time."
At Forest Grove, mechatronics students are taught mechanical, electrical and computer engineering skills as part of the curriculum.
Worst said the program consists of a series of classes that include design, robotics, 3D modeling, digital logic and more. From the onset, it was funded by about $300,000 in career-technical education "revitalization grants," the purpose of which was to support student engagement and success, lead students to career and college preparation, with the potential to boost local economic development.
Worst said the program has grown every year over the last three years. This past year, it boasted 350 to 500 students.
Read the rest of the article here: Forest Grove News-Times
|
Wildfire Recovery Resources
OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:
-
Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
-
Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
-
Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
-
Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
-
Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
-
U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
-
U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
-
Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
-
Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
-
SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
-
State taxes (Oregon Dept. of Revenue) Phone: 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222 TTY: All relay calls are accepted. Website: www.oregon.gov/dor
-
Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
-
Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
-
Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
-
Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
-
Medical records - Call your doctor or your medical insurance company; medical and prescription records are tracked electronically.
The Governor’s office has put together a Wildfire Resources page that you can access from the Governor’s home page. It has links to many of the most important updates about the status of fires and resources for evacuees. This website will be updated regularly.
Legal Resources: Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Program, Oregon lawyers, through the Oregon State Bar, are partnering with FEMA and the American Red Cross to provide legal assistance on FEMA claims, contract claims, insurance claims, landlord-tenant matters and more.
The Department of Forestry’s Wildfire Response and Recovery Overview has ongoing updates about firefighting efforts, damage reports, and more.
FEMA Updates: FEMA has provided several different Fact Sheets and resources for accessing benefits, determining eligibility and avoiding scams.
Employment Department Updates
Oregon Adds 6,900 Jobs in May
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.9% in May, the same as the revised rate in April. This was the first time Oregon’s rate was below 6% since March 2020 when the state’s rate was 3.6%. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 5.8% in May from 6.1% in April.
In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment grew by 6,900 in May, following monthly gains averaging 11,400 in the prior four months. Monthly gains in May were largest in private education (+3,400 jobs); professional and business services (+2,900); construction (+900); and financial activities (+900). Only one major industry shed more than 500 jobs in May: transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-800 jobs).
In May, Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment totaled 1,864,000, a drop of 109,000 jobs, or 5.5% from the pre recession peak in February 2020. Oregon’s employment dropped to a low of 1,687,500 by April 2020. Since then, Oregon has recovered 176,500 jobs, or 62% of the jobs lost between February and April 2020.
Leisure and hospitality accounts for the bulk of Oregon’s jobs not recovered since early 2020. It employed 169,600 in May, and added only 1,600 jobs in the most recent two months. The industry is still 46,700 jobs below its peak month of February 2020, so it accounts for 43% of overall nonfarm payroll jobs lost since Oregon’s pre recession peak. The restaurants, bars, and hotels that make up accommodation and food services have shown flat hiring trends over the most recent three months; the employment level in this component industry has been close to 150,000 in March, April, and May.
Local government is another industry that has a long way to go to get back to normal. Employment averaged 207,400 in the past 12 months, compared with an average of 229,000 during the most recent pre-recession year of 2019. In May, local government employed 207,800. Local government education—including K-12 schools, community colleges, and public universities—accounts for over half of all local government employment.
A return to pre-pandemic employment is closer at hand for several major industries that were less impacted by the COVID recession. Although the following industries still haven’t surpassed their pre-recession peak, each is within 3% of attaining that milestone: trade, transportation, and utilities; financial activities; information; construction; and professional and business services.
Employers and Employees
The following list of resources is from Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Office. The fastest way to get in touch with the SOS team is by emailing business.sos@oregon.gov, using the “Need Help?” button found on most state agency websites or visiting www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness.
Education Links
Local Government
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
Lovely walk in Salem for some fresh air between meetings!
Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
|
