6/27/2021 House District 30 Newsletter

Rep. Sollman

Friends and Neighbors,

This newsletter may be a little longer than usual. There is important information to share and I will be taking a short break from sending out newsletters to decompress after this challenging, but incredibly rewarding legislative session. Your House District 30 team had a busy session and I am so proud of our accomplishments.

Board

Sine Die is Here

Yesterday at 5:37pm, Sine Die was declared! The 81st Legislative Session has come to a close. I am so proud of all the work that was done for Oregonians this session and excited to see all the new legislation come to fruition. Oregon families have made enormous sacrifices to save thousands of lives during the worst public health crisis of our lifetime. Our focused efforts supported those who have lost jobs, lost childcare, lost business, endured social isolation and comprehensive distance learning. It’s because of those collective sacrifices that thousands of lives have been saved. We're here to make sure the recovery reaches everyone. We’ve been working hard this session to protect small businesses, working families, essential workers, and low-income communities to all corners of the state. Our goal is to strengthen the foundations of our economy and build back better than ever.

How We will Continue to Tackle the Challenge, Accomplish our Goals, and Transform Through Crisis: 

  • We're taking on big, pressing issues to ensure an equitable recovery across the state. That's why we're:
  • Responding to the COVID pandemic by following safety protocols that have saved thousands of lives, while providing comprehensive relief, including rent support, and financial support for small businesses, like our restaurants. 
  • Boosting economic support for those who need it most by investing in our BIPOC and low-income communities and families across the state, as well as investments in our essential workers and small businesses.
  • Addressing long standing systemic racism harming communities across Oregon by approaching legislation through a racial equity lens, prioritizing issues like housing, economic development, health disparities, and community safety.
  • Managing wildfire impacts by focusing on financial relief for families and small businesses, further prevention, and environmental justice for our rural communities and those most affected.
  • Addressing the housing crisis, making housing more affordable and accessible for everyone, especially our low-income families, while also helping to increase shelters, support, and relief for people experiencing homelessness.
  • Improving mental and behavioral health access following one of the hardest and traumatic years for families, Oregonians need comprehensive care to truly heal.
  • Investing in education with a record budget of $9.3 billion, $200 million more than what was originally proposed and in addition to local funding, summer investments, and ongoing funds from the landmark 2019 Student Success Act.

Budget Investments

In addition to approving strong agency budgets, new investments approved by the budget committee for the 2021-23 biennium are highlighted below:

Strengthening Public Education

  • K-12 State School Fund - $9.3 billion
  • Increased funding for the Student Success Act, including $892 million in student investment grants and $436 million for Early Learning
  • Additional K-12 highlights:
    • $17.5 million for broadband access for schools
    • Establishment of an education plan for LBGTQ+ student success
    • Increased funding for the Latinx student success plan
    • STEM program funding targeted for diverse students
    • $125 million for capital improvement matching funds and $110 million for seismic rehabilitation grants
  • Higher Education
    • Public University Support Fund - $900 million
    • Community College Support Fund - $703 million
    • Oregon Opportunity Grant - $200 million (nearly $30 million increase)
    • Funding to help cover health insurance costs for eligible part-time faculty
    • $337 million for university construction projects and deferred maintenance at all public universities
    • $77 million for matching funds to help finance 11 community college construction projects
    • $5 million for new Benefits Navigator positions at community colleges and public universities (HB 2835)
  • Early Learning
    • $68 million to expand preschool programs, adding more than 4,000 slots
    • $9.5 million to establish the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program, establish a statewide social emotional learning framework, and enact provisions to diversify Oregon's educator workforce (HB 2166)
    • Start-up costs for the new Department of Early Learning and Care (HB 3073)
    • Increased funding for relief nurseries, the Early Childhood Equity Fund and for parenting education
    • Establishment of a new Tribal Early Learning Hub (HB 2055)

Transforming Behavioral Health

  • $302 million for new Behavioral Health Resource Networks and addiction treatment services established through the passage of Ballot Measure 110 (2020)
  • $130 million for capital, start-up, and operational costs related to increasing statewide capacity of licensed residential facilities and housing for people with behavioral health needs
  • $121 million to support the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics model
  • $50 million for the alignment of outcomes, roles, responsibilities, risk and incentives in Oregon’s behavioral health system
  • $31 million for opening two 24-bed patient units at the Oregon State Hospital Junction City campus, which will make more bed space available at the Salem campus, and a $20 million special purpose appropriation for increased staffing levels
  • $21 million for community restoration and clinical services, rental assistance and wraparound support, and supporting the needs of individuals who have been ordered by a court to receive services enabling them to assist in their own criminal defense
  • $6.5 million for mobile response and stabilization services for children with behavioral health needs
  • $5.7 million for interdisciplinary assessment team services for youth with intensive behavioral health needs

Tackling the Housing Crisis

  • $410 million for the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs
  • $130 million for affordable housing preservation and affordable housing property acquisition loan programs
  • $100 million for construction, rebuilding, and financing initiatives for housing for displaced survivors of the Labor Day 2020 wildfires
  • $94 million for other housing initiatives, including shelter operations, down payment assistance, affordable homeownership development, manufactured home park preservation, and operational capacity for organizations administering rental assistance programs
  • $30 million to cover 100% of missed rental payments for applications submitted to the Landlord Compensation Fund and $5 million for a landlord risk fund (SB 278)
  • $20 million for the Behavioral Health Housing Incentive Fund (HB 2316)
  • $10 million for the Healthy Homes Repair Fund (HB 2842)
  • $5 million for domestic violence/sexual assault survivor housing assistance
  • $4.8 million for fair housing enforcement
  • $4.5 million for long-term rental assistance for youth at risk of homelessness (HB 2163)
  • $3.6 million for unaccompanied homeless youth (HB 2544)

Investing in Wildfire Recovery and Disaster Preparedness

  • $200 million for essential workforce and local communities on the frontlines, managing and mitigating wildfires (SB 762)
  • $150 million reserved in a special purpose appropriation to address natural disaster preparedness, response and recovery activities, including potential responses to the drought crisis in the Klamath Basin
  • $150 million for wildfire recovery housing
  • $75 million for food and shelter for wildfire-impacted communities
  • $28 million for planning and rehabilitation of high-hazard dams
  • $23 million for reimbursement to counties for lost tax revenues
  • $20 million for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant match
  • $20 million for grants for fire hardening and energy efficiency during rebuilding
  • $19.75 million for grants for riparian and upland restoration, as well as floodplain restoration and reconnection
  • $15 million for levee inspection, accreditation, certification, or repair project grants
  • $6 million total for firefighter apprenticeships to the Jackson County Fire District, Clackamas Fire District and Eugene Springfield Fire Department ($2 million each)

Focusing on Racial Equity

  • $100 million for the implementation of the Cover All People program (HB 3352)
  • $11.7 million for the Oregon Youth Employment Program, along with statute changes to ensure at least 75% of participating youth are from communities of color, rural communities, or historically underrepresented communities (HB 2092)
  • $10 million to compensate local governments for the elimination of individual post-prison supervision fees (SB 620)
  • $10 million special purpose appropriation for the Transforming Justice Initiative
  • $10 million capitalization of the Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity Loan Fund
  • $10 million for loan-loss reserve program grants to lenders to address institutional and social barriers that have made access to capital nearly impossible for small business owners, especially those in rural, veteran and BIPOC communities (HB 2266)
  • $9 million for technical assistance to underrepresented businesses in the Oregon Business Development Department
  • $4 million for the Criminal Justice Commission to establish a new restorative justice grant program
  • $3.8 million for the Oregon Diversity Procurement Program
  • $2 million to the Innovation Law Lab for immigration defense
  • $1.5 million for the Reimagine Safety Fund
  • $1.2 million for the expungement of criminal records for marijuana infractions
  • $1.2 million for a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative at the Oregon Youth Authority
  • $1 million for equitable water access and $500,000 for indigenous energy resiliency in the Water Resources budget
  • $905,000 for implementing the Sanctuary Promise Act (HB 3265)
  • $600,000 to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission for start-up costs for developing nontraditional pathways to licensure
  • $500,000 for a study of the impacts of State School Fund spending and to determine if this spending pattern results in disparities between students who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC) and non-BIPOC students
  • Two positions in the Department of Forestry for DEI, environmental justice, sustainability officer, and liaison to tribal governments
  • One position for a DEI Officer at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
  • A bilingual compliance specialist position to support Spanish speakers in the investigation of wage claims and complaints (BOLI)
  • A full-time DEI specialist at BOLI to work proactively with apprenticeship training agents to develop strategies and supports to ensure greater participation and success for women and minorities in apprenticeship
  • Two new language access positions to improve translation services in the state legislature: a Language Access Coordinator to develop and implement a plan to provide language access services, and a Spanish Language Interpreter to provide in-house Spanish language interpretation and translation

Improving Water Systems

  • $276 million for drinking water, stormwater, and sanitary sewer water projects statewide using American Rescue Plan Act funds (see HB 5006)
  • $95 million to capitalize grant and loan funds for water projects
  • $71 million for enhanced capacity, planning support, stakeholder engagement, water quality, groundwater and surface water availability and allocation, groundwater well and septic system financial assistance programs, and environmental protection programs

Supporting a Strong Economic Recovery

  • $193 million to strengthen the state’s long-term care system and workforce, including:
    • $113 million for provider rate increases to support higher wages for workers in assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, adult foster homes, and skilled nursing facilities
    • $30 million for the Oregon Essential Workforce Health Care Program (SB 800)
    • $30 million for capital improvement and emergency preparedness grants for long-term care facilities
    • $11.7 million for workforce development and training
  • $50 million for the Community Renewable Investment Fund to provide grants for eligible community renewable energy projects (HB 2021)
  • $50 million for grants to support local independent movie theaters and businesses in the live events industry as they recover from business closures due to the pandemic
  • $25 million to facilitate new private investments in Oregon with a focus on leading or emerging business sectors
  • $10 million for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant program
  • $10 million for the residential rooftop solar rebate program
  • $10 million to recapitalize the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund for cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields properties and $5 million to create the Oregon Brownfield Properties Revitalization Fund to provide forgivable loans to private owners for the reimbursement of removal or remedial actions (HB 2518)
  • $5.8 million for nutrition and anti-hunger programs, including Double-up Food Bucks and the Oregon Hunger Response Fund

Improving Transportation Infrastructure

  • $80 million for safety improvements to Oregon 213/82nd Avenue
  • $32 million for Phase II of the Newberg Dundee Bypass (OR-219 section)
  • $5 million for the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge
  • $4 million for the Sunrise Gateway Corridor Community Visioning Concept
  • $3.3 million for rehabilitation of the Lake County Railroad

Additional Funding Projects

I am especially grateful and excited that the following projects that I advocated for were approved for Lottery Bond funding in SB 5534:

  • City of North Plains Public Works/Emergency Operations Center: North Plains is the fastest growing community in Washington County. Currently, their public works department is housed inside their City Hall, which is 2,870 square feet. City Hall also serves as their Emergency Operations Center. The City is rapidly outgrowing this space that houses other departments as well and is seeking to build a new facility to house the Public Works Dept and Emergency Operations Center. The City of North Plains will receive $5,000,000 in bond funding for this project.
  • Family Peace Center of Washington County: The Washington County Family Peace Center seeks to co-locate services for both child abuse and domestic violence victims in Washington County and will house the Family Justice Center of Washington County and Cares NW, along with access to other wrap-around services. The project will receive $6,250,000 in lottery bond funds.
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House Reps

Governor Kate Brown Announces Oregon to Reopen No Later than Wednesday, June 30

Signs order to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions issued under emergency statutes

Under COVID-19 Recovery Order, state’s emergency response will transition to focus on COVID-19 recovery efforts in the coming months

On Friday, Governor Kate Brown signed a recovery-focused executive order lifting all remaining COVID-19 health and safety restrictions issued under Oregon’s emergency statutes. Restrictions will be lifted when Oregon achieves a 70% first dose adult vaccination rate or on Wednesday, June 30, whichever occurs sooner. With restrictions lifted, the state will shift to a focus on helping Oregonians and communities recover from the impacts and the economic toll of the pandemic.

“I’m proud of our collective efforts to vaccinate more than 2.3 million Oregonians. It is because of this success that we can move Oregon forward, and into the next chapter of this pandemic. We are ready,” said Governor Brown.

“We should all take pride in the work we have done to bring us to this moment. The efforts underway to close our vaccine equity gap and reach every Oregonian with information and a vaccine have definitely helped bring us this far. Thank you to all who are going the extra mile to vaccinate Oregonians.”

The Governor signed the executive order Friday in a press conference with Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen, state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger, and Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill.

Recovery Order

The Governor’s recovery order rescinds Executive Order 20-66, the successor to her original “Stay Home, Save Lives” order and subsequent “Safe and Strong Oregon” orders, which authorized Oregon’s statewide mask mandate and the county risk level system, including restrictions on businesses and other sectors for physical distancing, capacity limits, closing times, and more. The recovery order also rescinds Executive Order Order 20-22 (Non-urgent Healthcare Procedures), Executive Order 21-06 (K-12 Schools), Executive Order 20-28 (Higher Education), and Executive Order 20-19 (Childcare Facilities).

With the repeal of the set of executive orders that placed COVID-19 related restrictions on Oregonians, the recovery order extends the emergency declaration for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s remaining emergency authority will be limited in focus to COVID-19 recovery efforts, similar to the recovery executive order currently in place for 2020 wildfire season recovery.

Emergency authority continues to be necessary to provide flexibility and resources for vaccination efforts, health system response to COVID-19 including staffing flexibility, Oregon’s access to FEMA, enhanced SNAP benefits, and other federal aid, to allow the continued operation of certain emergency child care providers through the summer, unemployment insurance claim processing, and more. The recovery order does not provide authorization for agencies to renew restrictions based on emergency authorities.

Continued Governor Brown: “This is a pivotal moment for Oregon. We have endured a lot over the past several months. We must recognize that it has been exceptionally difficult for our Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Tribal communities. Disparities that existed before are even wider now. I am incredibly proud of the work that our local health partners and community-based organizations have done to reach Oregonians from communities of color and make progress toward closing the equity gaps in our vaccination efforts.

“Brighter days are ahead. And, we are more determined than ever to make sure we ground our state in a strong recovery that reaches every single Oregonian as we turn a page on this chapter of the pandemic. Our work is not done, but we can all take a moment to celebrate that by next week, we will be moving forward together.”

Some statewide mask requirements may stay in place in specialized settings following federal guidance, including airports, public transit, and health care settings. The Governor’s recovery order will remain in effect until December 31, 2021, unless terminated earlier.

K-12 Education, Higher Education, and Childcare

Rescinding the Governor’s executive orders for K-12 schools, higher education, and childcare will mean a shift to a more traditional, local decision-making model for communities when it comes to serving the health and safety needs of students and children.

In order to ensure a return to full-time, in-person instruction in the fall, the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority will be issuing updated, advisory guidance for the 2021-22 school year. Schools will still be expected to comply with longstanding regulations around the control of infectious diseases, and to have a communicable disease management plan.

Additional materials

  • A copy of Governor Brown’s signed recovery order is available here.
  • A copy of the Governor's prepared remarks from Friday's press conference is available here.
  • More information on vaccines is available at covidvaccine.oregon.gov.

Video Links

  • A recording of Friday's live-streamed press conference is available on YouTube. Please note the video starts at the 24:30 mark.
  • A recording of a Spanish language translation is available on OHA's Facebook page.
  • An HD recording of yesterday's press conference for members of the media is available on Vimeo.

Hot Weather Help

From Washington County Health and Human Services

Cooling Center Map

Cooling Center List Form

Temperatures likely to break records this weekend – Washington County offers resources for staying safe and healthy

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for our area. The Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday through 11 p.m. Monday. Dangerously hot afternoon high temperatures of 98°F to 103°F with some local areas experiencing 103°F to 108°F are expected Saturday through Monday. 

According to the Portland office of the National Weather Service, high temperatures will run 20-30 degrees above normal for late June. Overnight lows will also be unseasonably warm, limiting the amount of relief from the heat and contributing to increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

Community members are urged to check in with family, friends and neighbors, especially older adults and people with chronic medical problems, as they are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Older adults who need transportation to a cooling center or other assistance can call the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 503-846-3060 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Or visit ADRC’s website.

If you don’t have air conditioning at home, try to spend as much time as you can where air conditioning is used. Some options for community members include:

  • Wingspan Event and Conference Center, located at 801 NE 34th Avenue in Hillsboro, will be open as a cooling center Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. This is a pet-friendly location. Be sure to bring your pet in a crate, along with collar, leash, ID tags, comfort items, food and bowls. Water will be available.
  • The Beaverton City Library will open their Cathy Stanton Meeting Room as a cooling center Saturday and Sunday from 6-8 p.m. and Monday from 7-9 p.m. This is in addition to the library's regular operating hours.
  • Some other county libraries are open as well. Visit Washington County Cooperative Library Services websitefor hours of operation. 
  • Boys & Girls Aid Safe Place for Youth is open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. for anyone ages 12-20. The organization is located at 454 SE Washington Street in Hillsboro and has air conditioning, food, cold water, showers and recreational activities. The site allows up to three drop-in youth at one time to allow for safe physical distancing. Masks must be worn except when eating in the dining area.
  • Indoor shopping malls are a good place to stay cool, as are movie theaters and other indoor entertainment and dining establishments. Call ahead or look online to see what restrictions are in place due to COVID-19. 
  • Many splash pads and spraygrounds that offer relief from the heat are not operating due to the chlorine shortage currently impacting the region. Check this website for locations and to see which ones might be operating.

Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy When it Gets Really Hot Outside

  • Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
  • Drink plenty of fluids (water is best), even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
  • Exercise in the early morning when it tends to be cooler.
  • Avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.
  • Take cool showers or baths.
  • Close your blinds and curtains to keep sunlight out.
  • If the temperature falls at night, open your windows to let the cool air in (if it is safe to do so).
  • Get a baby pool or play in a sprinkler. Visit a local sprayground or fountain.
  • Use fans but do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device when it is very hot. Instead, mist yourself with a spray bottle, and then use the fan to get the cooling benefits of evaporation.
  • Do not use your stove/oven or do laundry on very hot days.
  • Eat small, light meals.
  • Never leave children or pets in cars. Read more about pet safety here.
  • If you choose to swim or recreate in a local river or lake, be sure to wear a personal flotation device and take other safety precautions. More info on Red Cross page.

To allow people to better prepare for upcoming heat events, the National Weather Service has developed a HeatRisk forecast. The HeatRisk forecast gives a quick view of heat risk potential over the upcoming seven days. The color-coded chart provides health guidance similar to the air quality index chart we all became familiar with during last year’s wildfires. 

The CDC has helpful information on their website, including signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, posters, fact sheets and other resources.

Heat TipsHeat Tips

Community Outreach

With the holiday weekend approaching, please help keep on the lookout for Ralph Brown and his car. Ralph is a community leader, was a longtime administrator in the Hillsboro School District and is a wonderful, kind man to all. His family and friends are doing all they can to elevate the search and we all just want to bring Ralph home safe. ❤

Ralph Brown

Firework Safety

Warm weather, dry conditions and fireworks could be a recipe for dangerous fire conditions this 4th of July. Please do your part to be safe and consider new traditions for celebrating the holiday

A Short Summer Break

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I look forward to resting and soaking up some precious time with my family. My grandson wants me to spend a little time to chill and I am ready for it. Look for newsletters to resume later this summer with announcements for upcoming Office Hours and Community Conversations. I thank you all for your outreach and communication with our office. As always, feel free to reach out by email or phone (503) 986-1430. 

Be good to yourself and each other. ❤

Onward & Upward,

Janeen

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