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Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Kate Brown Provides Wildfire Response Updates, Urges Oregonians to be Prepared for Fire Season
Governor Kate Brown yesterday provided an update on the state’s ongoing interagency response to wildfires across Oregon. She was joined in the briefing by Department of Forestry Fire Chief Doug Grafe, State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Major General Michael Stencel of the Oregon National Guard, Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps, and Gabriela Goldfarb, Environmental Public Health Manager at the Oregon Health Authority. Throughout fire season, regular updates for media on active wildfires in Oregon will be provided.
“It’s shaping up to be another difficult wildfire season. And unfortunately, we’re responding to new fires as we continue to recover from last year’s devastating fire season,” said Governor Brown. “The good news is there’s a lot of excellent work happening on the ground to protect Oregonians, to protect our homes, and our land.
“After last year, what is very clear is that no corner of our state is immune to fire. On the West Coast, and here in Oregon, the urgent and dangerous climate crisis has exacerbated conditions on the ground. We’re seeing extensive drought conditions across the state, with 19 counties in drought emergencies. Unprecedented heat waves. And fire seasons that are arriving earlier, coming on faster and lasting for longer.
“We must be prepared. Each and every one of us.
“Last year’s historic fire season taught us that being prepared can truly be the difference between life and death. Being prepared is also one of the best ways you can help our frontline firefighters do their job.”
Additional Materials:
- A copy of the Governor's prepared remarks from today's press conference is available here.
- More information is available at wildfire.oregon.gov.
- Oregonians can sign up for local emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov.
COVID-19 Updates
From the Oregon Health Authority
You may be wondering why COVID-19 cases are increasing in Oregon. As we’ve seen across the world, cases caused by the Delta variant are spreading in unvaccinated communities.
As Oregon has reopened the economy, there have been more opportunities for people to come together and for transmission to occur. While most statewide restrictions in Oregon have been lifted, OHA still encourages people to take precautions.
Ongoing precautions such as wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distance are still important for families with children under 12, as they are not yet eligible for vaccination.
Masking is an additional layer of protection that you may want to consider using if it’s available to you.
Some people have questions or concerns about the vaccines. If you haven't gotten vaccinated and are unsure if it's the right choice for you, speak to a trusted doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.
If you are 12 or older, visit OHA’s Find a COVID-19 Vaccine webpage to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine appointment: govstatus.egov.com/find-covid-19-vaccine.
 Covid-19 Vaccine Events in Washington County
Thanks to amazing health care workers and community organizations, the COVID-19 vaccine can be easily accessed in Washington County. Thank you Washington County Health and Human Services for providing the information below:
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NEW! Washington County's Mobile Vaccine Team: Our mobile team is traveling the county to make it easier for people to get the vaccine close to where they live, shop or hang out. Find the schedule here.
- Local pharmacies are required to offer second doses to people who have received their first dose somewhere else; locations include Fred Meyer, Walmart, Walgreens, Costco, Safeway/Albertsons, Bi-Mart, Rite Aid, and CVS.
- 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!
- Tektronix in Beaverton: Virginia Garcia is teaming up with Washington County Public Health and FEMA for another vaccine clinic, July 21 through August 1. 3025 SW Zworkykin Avenue. More details on flier or Virginia Garcia's website.
- Beaverton Resource Center: Most Fridays from July 16 through September 24. See the flier for exact dates and times. Pfizer for ages 12 and older. Located at 13565 SW Walker Road.
More information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Washington County can be found here.
Intern Corner
High School Intern, Olivia Vargas is leaving soon for St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. I am so excited for her next chapter in life and so thankful for the time she has spent helping out in House District 30. Below, she shares some parting thoughts with us.
I joined Representative Sollman’s team as a high school intern two years ago because I wanted to increase my involvement in my community and gain a better understanding of our state’s legislative process. I also wanted to learn what it looks like to have the solutions to issues you and others care about be enacted into law. With the knowledge and experience I have gained from this internship, I have been empowered to identify issues impacting my community, and to fight to change them with confidence. One major highlight of interning with Rep Sollman has been working on the state’s plastic bag ban in 2018 and 2019, both as an intern and as a member of the Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council, which preempted the state bill with an ordinance in our city. Another would be watching the Safe Storage bill pass this year after two sessions of tireless work on the part of Rep Sollman and other state leaders, as well as my mother, who works as Rep Sollman’s chief Legislative Assistant, and to whom I know this bill was particularly important.
This August I will be leaving for Austin, Texas to begin my first year at St. Edward’s University. I am excited to further my education and get to know a new part of the country. As the capital city of a state currently brimming with political tension, I look forward to the opportunity Austin provides to join in on important work with Texan leaders and activists and fight to protect issues I care about, like voting rights and the bodily autonomy of women. I am grateful for the knowledge of Oregon’s government and political dynamics I have gained through this internship, and it should be interesting to see how the Oregon and Texas legislatures compare.
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Out & About House District 30
End of Session Joint Town Hall
 Last week, I hosted a Joint Town Hall along with State Representative Susan McLain (House District 29) and State Senator Chuck Riley (Senate District 15). It was great to be back with the community in person at the new Hidden Creek Community Center in Hillsboro. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recorded Zoom on my Youtube channel. Or, see below for a brief summary of what was discussed:
This session, in the House, we passed 743 bills, 378 of which were unanimous and another 291 were bipartisan, all together 95% of bills passed were either unanimous or bipartisan.
House District 30 saw direct funding improvements in school based health centers as well as a mobile unit to provide better access to the community (HB 2591). In a statewide benefit, the firefighter apprenticeship program, HB 2373, was funded through the Ways and Means Committee (a joint legislative committee that determines state budget policy) providing three counties with firefighter apprenticeships. I also worked on Senate Bill 582, which helps to modernize Oregon’s recycling program, requiring producers of packaging materials to help share the burden of the product's environmental cost by encouraging better packaging, new education methods and investment in consumer recycling.
Due to the pandemic, the Federal Government passed the American Rescue Plan, providing money for states and cities alike. As a State Representative, I had the privilege of being a part of the allocation process to help organizations in House District 30. As each member of the state legislature could only invoice for 4 projects, Representative McLain, Senator Riley and I were able to pool resources and further our capacity to help the community. Our list of projects funded is below and can also be found in SB 5006 Preliminary Budget Report, along with all legislators designated ARPA investments (beginning on p. 25).
  Community Outreach
Happening Tonight Until 7:30pm in Hillsboro
North Plains Annual Elephant Garlic Festival
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August 13th, 14th and 15th 2021
WILL BE FILLED WITH MUSIC, FOOD AND FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
The Garlic Festival hours are:
FRIDAY: 12PM – 11PM
SATURDAY: 10AM – 11PM
SUNDAY: 10AM – 6PM
Come see me in the Garlic Festival Parade! Saturday, Aug. 14th at 10:00am. See the parade route here.
Visit funstinks.com for more Garlic Festival information and events.
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Young Leaders Program-Summer Civics Camp
 A yearly, residential summer program for secondary students (ages 13-17), focused on leadership, civics, and character development that emphasizes college & career readiness. Visit here to learn more.
Hillsboro Chamber: Leadership Hillsboro
From the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce
Registration for the 2021-2022 class is open now.
Want to be part of something special? Apply to be a part of the 2021-2022 Leadership class. The application Deadline is August 6th, 2021.
The form can be filled out digitally and emailed to Julie Ames, or it can be sent to:
- Leadership Hillsboro, 5193 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste A, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
For questions contact:
Link to application
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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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