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Friends and Neighbors,
Silver Alert Community Conversation
As our Silent Generation and Baby Boomers age in society, we will see a greater need for care, resources and tools to help address their needs as they seek a well-deserved opportunity to live as independently and safe as possible. This requires us to work together and look at our policies that are put in place to protect them from harm. This past Spring, beloved community leader and former Mayor of Cornelius, Ralph Brown, went missing after driving away from his home. Mr. Brown suffers from dementia. His search has prompted a lot of questions regarding the current Oregon Silver Alert law. Oregon’s law, passed in 2014 requires every law enforcement agency in Oregon to produce and have in place, a Silver Alert plan. The questions that were brought to light prompted me to seek legislative change and I began to have conversations. The Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Transportation began working this year to update their rules to the law so that alerts can be more widespread and synchronized across the state. This is an exciting change that can potentially take place without a legislative fix and that is a win for time and money, our communities and certainly our vulnerable seniors. I applaud these agencies and their effort. I am thrilled to facilitate this discussion. To join: Register Here.
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Legislative Updates
Governor Kate Brown Announces Special Session to Prevent Winter Evictions
Governor Kate Brown announced that she will be calling the Legislature into special session on December 13 to address eviction protections for renters.
“As we enter our coldest months, it is absolutely essential that we take action to ensure no additional Oregon families are evicted when rental assistance is on the way,” said Governor Brown. “I have spoken directly with Oregon renters in recent weeks about the pain and hardship their families have faced due to the economic impacts of the pandemic. We must take legislative action now to approve additional state funding for rental assistance, and to extend eviction protections for Oregonians who have applied for assistance.
“Our federal funds for rental assistance will be nearly spent on December 1. I am continuing to work with federal officials at U.S. Treasury and the White House to secure additional federal emergency rental assistance funding for Oregon, but it is clear that a state solution is needed to address the urgent and immediate needs of Oregon renters. And, we must begin laying the groundwork now for the transition to local eviction prevention services after federal pandemic emergency programs draw to an end.”
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) received $289 million in federal rental assistance funds to help Oregon renters impacted by COVID-19. As of last week, OHCS and their local partners had paid out close to $150 million in federal emergency rental assistance to over 22,000 households––with Oregon ranking eighth in the nation for federal funds paid or obligated. OHCS and its partners have received more than 25,000 additional applications and continue to review and approve thousands of those applications each week. Nearly $20 million was paid to renters over the previous two weeks. OHCS has calculated that all remaining federal rental assistance funds will have been requested by December 1.
After conversations with legislative leaders, stakeholders, landlord associations, and housing advocates, the Governor is proposing the following framework to prevent further evictions:
- Extend eviction safe harbor protections for each individual who has applied for rental assistance.
- Ensure landlords are paid in full for the rent they are owed.
- Provide up to $90 million in additional rental assistance to ensure low-income tenants access through the winter.
- Provide $100 million to transition from large-scale pandemic-related emergency rental assistance to long-term, locally-delivered eviction prevention services.
The package would address the immediate needs of Oregon renters through the winter months. Legislators may also be asked to take on additional time-sensitive issues during the special session that require action before February 2022.
COVID-19 Updates
Digital Vaccine Record Project
My office has received numerous emails from people outside of House District 30, from across the state of Oregon, regarding the Oregon Health Authority's Digital Vaccine Record Project. Many of these emails make false claims that are not based in fact. The Oregon Health Authority has provided the following information about the project:
People in Oregon who are asked to show proof of vaccination currently can share the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paper vaccination card, a photo of that card, an electronic record provided by a health care provider, or a paper copy of a record provided by their provider. The Digital Vaccine Record project will help streamline proof of vaccination currently used by businesses and will be an optional tool for people and businesses to use.
This project does not require any new rulemaking or proposed policy. We have compiled the following FAQs for you and your constituents:
Q: If there a public comment period about the digital vaccine record?
A: Developing the optional digital vaccine record does not involve new policies or rules, and there is no public comment period.
Q: How will OHA maintain the data associated with the digital vaccine record?
A: OHA maintains the vaccine records data base, the ALERT immunization information system. The digital vaccine record will access COVID-19 vaccine data through the ALERT immunization information system. That is the only data the new tool will access, and it will only access this information for the voluntary users of the tool. Information will not be shared that has not been authorized by the user.
Q: Is using the digital vaccine record mandatory?
A: No. The digital vaccine record is completely voluntary. It is intended to be one more option for individuals to share their vaccination status if they choose to.
Q: Is the digital vaccine record a “a vaccine passport”?
A: No. The digital vaccine record provides the user with an electronic copy of their CDC COVID-19 vaccination card. This is similar to the digital copy that some heath care providers are giving to their patients. Oregon’s digital vaccine record will provide people an additional option to share their vaccination status if a business asks for verification.
Q: Is it a violation of protected health information for a business to ask to proof of vaccination?
A: No. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) applies only to health care providers.
Rental Assistance Updates
Washington County ERA Program Continues
From Washington County
While the state has made the difficult decision to pause accepting new applications at midnight on December 1 for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP), Washington County’s local Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program continues to accept applications through existing local pathways.
Community Action, the agency administering the local funds for Washington County, maintains a phone line, an online portal and has established partnerships with other agencies, community-based organizations as well as public health contact tracing staff to get the funds out as quickly as possible. These local funds will continue to be available for income-eligible renters over the foreseeable future.
“Our priority right now is meeting the needs of Washington County renters struggling financially by helping them stay in their homes and helping property owners who are also feeling financial pressure,” said Board of County Commissioners Chair Kathryn Harrington. “Thanks to Community Action, we’ve cut about 20 days from the processing time for these local applications – and we are working to shorten this response time even more. Nonetheless, renters should expect several weeks before payments directly to landlords are made due to high demand for this vital support.”
Oregon has safe harbor rules in place that mean renters cannot be evicted for 60 days, or 90 days in some parts of Washington County, if they show their landlords proof of having applied for any emergency rental assistance program. These maps show the protections for the different jurisdictions within Washington County (Information in English mapping tool) bit.ly/3aTeFbc or (Information in Spanish mapping tool Protección contra desalojos (arcgis.com).
All renters needing assistance and residing in Washington County are encouraged to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance program. To learn more on how to apply for emergency rental assistance, visit the Community Action webpage. For immediate resources including shelter and food access contact 2-1-1 online at www.211info.org or by calling 2-1-1.
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Out and About-Working for House District 30
Holiday Celebrations
This past weekend in Hillsboro, we celebrated two special events to kick off the Holiday season. The "Orenco Tree Lighting Ceremony," hosted by the City of Hillsboro and "Light-Up Hillsboro," hosted by the Chabad Jewish Center of Hillsboro, a community menorah lighting on the first night of Hanukkah. Thank you Barb Epstien and Maura Donis for the pictures from the Light -Up Hillsboro event. These are wonderful traditions that make Hillsboro a special place to live, work and play.
Community Outreach
City of Hillsboro Board, Commission and Committee Vacancies
From the City of Hillsboro
The City of Hillsboro is seeking volunteers who are committed to making our community better. The City is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within its boards, commissions, and committees. We recognize we must be inclusive in developing and implementing policies to ensure that City services are responsive to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and other individual identities. These equal opportunity positions are intended for diverse and talented volunteers who reflect and enhance the community we serve. Please consider joining the group of dedicated volunteers who help our City run smoothly.
Each board and commission is unique and may have its own set of requirements.
We currently have vacancies on the following boards and commissions starting January 2022:
- Arts & Culture Council
- Audit Committee
- Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee
- Library Board
- Parks & Recreation Commission
- Planning Commission
- Planning & Zoning Hearings Board
- Public Engagement Committee.
Applications can be completed electronically or submitted by hand, email, fax or mail to the City Recorder’s office.
Applications for the 2021 recruitment process are due Monday, November 15, 2021.
Find more information and apply here.
 Kiley Delgado, House District 29 community member, shared a post on social media that was so smart and compassionate that I asked if I could share it. As the temperature drops so many want to reach out and help our neighbors that are living out in the harsh elements. Kiley compiled this list earned from years of street-outreach with important lessons. Thank you Kiley for your heart for fellow human beings.
- Elevation above the ground is as important, or more important, than having warm blankets. If you have $50 to spend on sleep gear for a neighbor, get them a $20 cot and a $30 sleeping bag instead of a $50 all weather sleeping bag.
- Speaking of spending money wisely, it’s better to invest $100 in a tent that will withstand the winter than it is to buy a $25 tent once a month. I learned this the hard way last winter when my goal was quantity of tents and not quality of tents. Those same neighbors that I brought a cheap tent in November needed a replacement by December. The folks who got high quality second hand tents were able to use the same one all season.
- Socks save lives. Maybe the simplest way to make a difference is to clean out your sock drawer and carry a few pairs in ziplock bags in your car. Our extremities are the first parts of our body to die in extreme cold.
- I’m convinced that the single best $20 you can spend on outreach is to purchase a Starbucks gift card. Here’s why: Starbucks’ are heated, dry, and have charging outlets. The cost of a cup of tea is $1.75. Therefore, the purchase of a $20 gift card allows someone the opportunity to get out of the cold approximately 11x.
NW Natural Arrears Management Program
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Don’t forget…if you are interested in donating a gift for a child 8 years and older in the community, send me a message and we can work out delivery options. I have a collection barrel that needs to be filled up. Thank you for being generous neighbors and bringing joy to a child’s Christmas. The deadline for presents is this Sunday, 12/5.
 Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 House District 30 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon’s past and we must honor them well into our future.
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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