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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
After some much-needed time off, and spending the 4th of July with family, I was back to work this week. The Capitol legislative offices will be inaccessible through December because of seismic, utility, and safety updates being made in the House and Senate wings, and in the garage. It was a busy day at the Capitol with my intern Anushka, and my aide Carolyn, packing up the office and preparing to work from home again.
I am looking forward to holding my first in-person Town Hall since the pandemic started. Join me and Senator Riley and Rep. Sollman next Thursday to hear highlights from the Legislative Session and information about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding coming to Washington County. Details in the "Town Hall" section below.
What: Join Reps. Sollman and McLain and Senator Riley to talk about 2021 legislative accomplishments, ARPA funding for Washington County, and for a question-and-answer period.
When: July 15, 2021 at 6pm
Where: Hidden Creek Community Center / Virtual Option
Registration: Register HERE
This annual observance is used to promote visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities. Using bold images and strong words, disability pride awareness dates, parades and festivals both uplift and challenge. Pride comes from celebrating disability heritage, disability culture, the unique experiences that people with differing abilities have, and the contributions that they offer society. I was proud this Legislative Session to sponsor House Bill 2985, which passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support. HB 2985 requires increased representation for people with disabilities on ODOT advisory boards so that our state can do a better job of providing transportation services that work for all Oregonians.
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End of Session Updates
On Wednesday, June 16, the Senate and House Redistricting Committees held their final meetings of the 2021 regular legislative session. The committee chairs and staff discussed the work of the committees during session as well as plans for the committees once the final U.S. Census data arrives in August. To watch a recording of the hearing follow this link.
Tentative Public Hearing Schedule
Once the needed redistricting data arrives in August, the committees will spend several
weeks developing draft congressional and legislative maps. Starting in September, the
committees plan to embark on a statewide tour to gather feedback and learn about
communities of interest. The following meetings have been tentatively scheduled,
though are subject to change.
September 8 – Bend at 5:30 PM
September 9 – Eugene at 5:30 PM
September 10 – Salem at 9:00 AM
September 10 – Oregon City/North Clackamas County at 3:00 PM
September 11 – Central Portland at 9:00 AM
September 11 – Hillsboro/Beaverton at 3:00 PM
September 13 – Oregon Capitol at 9:00 AM and 1:00 and 5:30 PM
*These meeting dates and times have been added to the redistricting website. Please be
sure to check the website frequently for additional updates.
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Congratulations to Washington County for leading the way on vaccinations in Oregon - 73.4% vaccinated!
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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.
NEW! Washington County's Mobile Vaccination Van: Our van is traveling the county to make it easier for people to get the vaccine close to where they live or shop. Find the schedule here.
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.
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National Numbers:
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Confirmed Cases: 33,713,995
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Deaths: 605,507
- 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 209,561 total cases (confirmed and presumptive) of COVID-19.
- Today we have 151 new confirmed and presumptive cases, and 2 new deaths.
- A total of 2,812 Oregonians have died from COVID-19 (previous daily case updates from OHA here)
- Washington County has 26,996 confirmed cases, including 253 deaths.
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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
Oregon OSHA to enact emergency rules to protect workers from high and extreme heat
In the face of an unprecedented heat wave, Governor Kate Brown has directed Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) to enact emergency rules this week to ensure urgent protection for workers from extreme heat. The temporary rules are expected to expand requirements for employers to provide shade, rest time and cool water for workers during high and extreme heat events. Oregon OSHA will continue working on permanent rules focused on worker safety from heat and extreme weather, which are expected to be adopted this fall.
“No one should have to decide between their health and a paycheck,” said Governor Brown. “All Oregonians should be able to go to work knowing that conditions will be safe and that they will return home to their families at the end of the day.”
In addition, the Governor wants to remind Oregonians that Medicaid members may be eligible to receive air conditioners if they have a qualifying underlying condition. This is part of the health-related services that are offered through Oregon’s CCOs. Medicaid members should contact their CCO to see if they qualify for this assistance.
Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones due during the unprecedented temperatures last week.
If you need support, mental and emotional health resources are available for you online through Safe + Strong, The Dougy Center and Refuge in Grief. Additionally, OHA filmed a Facebook Live on grief in early March, which you can view here.
You can read the full news release here.
Governor Kate Brown Directs State Agencies to Conserve Water in Response to Drought Conditions
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today issued Executive Order 21-20, directing state agencies to curtail nonessential water use, implement water conservation measures, and encourage drought resiliency. The directive comes as a result of 19 Oregon counties already in declared drought emergencies, and the rest of Oregon facing threats of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
"Oregon has a strong history of managing and caring for water, but climate change and chronic drought require water conservation and a commitment to working together," said Governor Brown. "Many state agencies already have taken steps to improve the sustainability of their operations, including actions to reduce water usage. Through this Executive Order, state government can respond to this growing crisis, lead by example, and show Oregonians that drought is a serious issue—but one that can be managed if we all work together. At the same time, it is critically important that we keep in mind how curbing water in public places may affect vulnerable Oregonians who may turn to public sources of water for relief from hot weather, and adjust as appropriate.
"Many local governments have also curtailed water use on city and county facilities. I appreciate their leadership and encourage all local governments in drought-stricken counties to conserve water and begin implementing drought resiliency strategies as we face a worsening drought together.
"Oregonians can do their part, as well. I encourage everyone to be conscious of water usage and to take steps to reduce water use whenever possible."
The Executive Order, effective today, directs state agencies that own or manage land or facilities to:
- Implement actions that curtail or end the non-essential use of water for landscaping and other exterior features of buildings and grounds, including lawn watering, fountains that do not re-circulate water, and window washing;
- Institute a moratorium (where allowed) on the installation of new non-essential landscaping projects that require irrigation at state-owned buildings; and
- Develop and place signs and other messaging within state-owned buildings to encourage state employees to reduce their non-essential uses of water inside state-owned buildings.
The full text of Executive Order 21-20 is available here.
Hot Weather Help
Here are some important tips for staying safe and healthy when the weather gets really hot.
- 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.
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Fires started by fireworks fall by 80% compared with 2020
*From Oregon Public Broadcasting
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Preliminary figures from Portland Fire & Rescue in Oregon show blazes caused by fireworks fell by almost 80% this year, likely because of a ban on fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday.
Fire officials said Tuesday that nine fires were caused by fireworks in Portland during this year's fireworks season compared with 44 last year, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The fireworks season runs from June 23 to July 6. Portland Fire & Rescue called the ban “extremely effective” in a statement.
Drought conditions and high fire danger prompted cities across Oregon and southwest Washington to ban the use of fireworks through this year’s Fourth of July holiday.
In southwest Washington, Clark County fire officials said they were called to 30% fewer fires during the holiday weekend, KGW-TV reported.
Click on the image below to view the large fires that are active in Oregon right now.
Wildfire Recovery Resources
OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:
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Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
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Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
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Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
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Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
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Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
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U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
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U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
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Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
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Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
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SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
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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
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Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
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Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
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Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
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Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
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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.
Remembering 4th of July parades from 2018 and 2019. I can't wait to be back next year!
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High Fire Danger Burn Ban in Effect in Washington County
A High Fire Danger Burn Ban began on June 22, 2021, and remains in effect across all of Washington County, including the City of Hillsboro.
A City of Hillsboro ordinance provides residents and visitors with cleaner air and a safer community by limiting indoor burning during periods of poor air quality and banning outdoor burning of yard debris year-round.
The burn ban prohibits:
- Backyard burning of yard debris. (This is not allowed within the City of Hillsboro regardless of a burn ban.)
- Agricultural burning without a permit.
- Land clearing or slash burning without a permit.
The outdoor burn ban allows:
- Recreational fires three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height used for pleasure, religion, ceremony, cooking, or warmth.
- Portable outdoor fireplaces that are solid, fuel-burning, and constructed of steel, concrete (such as retaining wall blocks), clay, or other non-combustible materials.
- Barbeque equipment used in connection with a residence.
- Oregon-legal fireworks and permitted firework displays.
Given the high fire danger conditions, we discourage burning of any kind to limit the potential risk.
The burn ban is enacted by all fire agencies within the county based on the recommendation by the Washington County Fire Defense Board. Washington County fire agencies include Banks Fire District #13, Cornelius Fire Department, Forest Grove Fire Department, Gaston Rural Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
Fire chiefs in Washington County encourage the public to use extreme caution with activities that could start a fire. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent and be prepared for wildfires.
Burning restrictions are authorized under Oregon Revised Statute 478.960 and Oregon Fire Code 307.
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Celebrate Hillsboro
This year, the City of Hillsboro has decided to forego the typical large-scale Celebrate Hillsboro festival on Main Street and will instead present a series of small, park pop-up events to maintain a safe event for the community and staff.
Sunday, July 18 – Celebrate Hillsboro Pop-up Events
Each site will have at least one performer, entertainer, food vendor, art activity, and more.
11 am – 1 pm
- AmberGlen Park
- Butternut Park
- Shute Park
4 pm-6 pm
- Evergreen Park
- Jerry Willey Plaza
1 pm-5 pm
- Tom Hughes Plaza at the Civic Center
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Western WashCo Farmers' Markets Information:
Oregon DMV will make appointments a permanent option
*From Oregon Public Broadcasting
Like many state agencies, the Oregon DMV is getting back to normal in many respects after COVID-19 restrictions have been eased. But one pandemic-inspired change will stick around.
When DMV field offices reopened to the public last year after the first wave of the pandemic, the agency created an appointment system to prevent crowded lobbies. Now that social distancing requirements are no longer in effect, the DMV says you can just show up and hope you get served.
But agency spokesperson David House said many customers have said they enjoy the certainty of having an appointment, and he said that option isn’t going away.
“That’s going to be a permanent choice that Oregonians can make to get their in-person services at DMV,” said House.
House said many transactions such as license renewals can now be done online at DMV2U.Oregon.gov.
Masks are no longer required at the Oregon DMV except during driving tests.
Oregon Employment Department misses target for fixing phone wait times
*From Oregonlive.com
Oregon missed its midyear target for improving the employment department’s woeful phone system, but the state says it remains committed to resolving the issues by the end of the year.
It was well-nigh impossible to reach the Oregon Employment Department in the early months of the pandemic, when the agency was overwhelmed by hundreds of thousands of jobless claims that suddenly flooded its system.
The department was hobbled by its obsolete computer system, which incorrectly issued automated denials for many claims and required many others to be processed manually.
The result was a bottleneck that held up claims — Oregon was among the slowest in the nation at paying benefits — and jammed its phone lines as newly laid off workers sought answers as to why they weren’t getting their benefits.
In April, more than a year into the pandemic, workers still spent an average of 70 minutes on hold when calling the employment department about their claims. People who sent in an online inquiry typically spent a month waiting for an answer.
The department pledged to do better, setting targets to significantly cut wait times by the middle of June and return to its pre-pandemic performance by the end of 2021.
Last week, though, the department acknowledged it didn’t meet its June targets.
“Like some other Oregon employers, we’re still struggling to find enough workers,” interim Director David Gerstenfeld said on his weekly media call last week. He said that has prevented the department from staffing up to levels adequate to deal with the volume of calls and questions.
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
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
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