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Friends and Neighbors,
Silver Alert Community Conversation
As our Silent Generation and Baby Boomers age in society around us, 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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Special Session - Monday, December 13, 2021
Over 10,000 Oregonians risk being evicted if we don't take action. No one should face eviction while waiting for their rental assistance. This special session will help us keep people safe and housed as winter nears. Here's what the Legislature will consider:
 You can follow along and watch the Special Session live on OLIS, the Oregon Legislative Information System. Visit here on Monday.
Out and About-Working for House District 30
North Plains Pedestrian Pathway Ribbon Cutting
This past weekend I was there to help cut the ribbon on the beautiful pedestrian/bike path in North Plains. This will make traveling about the growing city so much safer. I was proud to help support this project with ARPA funding, along with Senator Riley and Representative McLain. Thank you Mayor Teri Lenahan, North Plains City Council members and City Manager Andy Varner for your leadership.
Recycling Updates
NCEL Zero-Waste Bootcamp
I am heading back to Washington D.C. today, this time to attend the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) at a Zero-Waste Bootcamp for legislators. I am excited to have been invited to listen and learn from other legislators and share with them about Oregon’s efforts to pass environmental legislation that keeps waste out of our system and protects our planet. I will be there to talk about Oregon's passage of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. I am also thrilled for the opportunity to hear from Gina McCarthy, the White House National Climate Advisor. I look forward to sharing more with you in next week's newsletter.
 With Senator Michael Dembrow at PDX
Take a Survey to Inform a New Recycling Collection Service
From Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling
An additional recycling collection service is being considered for Beaverton, Hillsboro and unincorporated Washington County. This new service would include select items that aren’t allowed in your glass recycling or mixed recycling bins. These additional items could include such things as batteries, plastic bags, take-out containers, compact fluorescent bulbs and more. Items that meet community demand and have viable reuse and recovery markets will be selected for this service.
Customers wishing to participate in the additional collection service would subscribe for an additional monthly fee. Materials would be collected once or twice monthly.
We want to know what you think! Are you interested in the service we've described? If not, why? If so, what should be included?
Take our 5-minute survey.
Share your thoughts by December 17th!
Want to learn more?
Education Updates
Computer Science Education Week, Dec 6-10
I am committed to seeing the Computer Science Education bill cross the finish line in the upcoming short session. It will begin the process for implementing Computer Science standards in Oregon's K-12 education and help us be more globally competitive in the future for jobs.
From Portland Metro STEM Partnership
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is a call to action to inspire and celebrate students and educators and to share strategies for engagement. This year, the theme is #CSEverywhere. CSEdWeek provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of computing, the richness of computing careers, and the critical need for equity in computer science education.
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Community Outreach
Five Years, $45 Million Saved by People Experiencing Disabilities with ABLE
The Oregon ABLE Savings Plan, established in 2016 following the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in Congress, enables people with disabilities and their families save money without being disqualified from their state and federal benefits. Critically, money saved in an ABLE account does not count against the asset limit for benefits like SSI, Oregon Health Plan, SNAP and Section 8—limits that have forced people who experience disability to stay in poverty or risk losing these supports and services that they need to survive.
Oregon ABLE allows people with eligible disabilities ranging from intellectual and developmental to physical disabilities, to save for their everyday needs, invest in a tax-free account, and prepare for their future. The power of ABLE goes beyond offering a simple savings vehicle to the disability community; accounts effectively function as empowerment tools, allowing participants the independence to take control of their financial future. Since the program launched, 4,500 people experiencing disabilities have saved more than $45 million in ABLE accounts. The reach of the program has continued to expand, however, there are still many eligible Oregonians across the state that could potentially benefit from ABLE.
Washington County Law Library now Offers eBooks
From Washington County
The Washington County Law Library now offers eBook access to a variety of legal titles, including some key Oregon legal research materials. The pilot project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
County residents can sign up for access to the eBooks via the Law Library’s website and can contact the Law Library’s “Virtual Information Desk” with any questions. After the initial sign up, the Law Library’s eBooks may be accessed online or by using the LexisNexis Digital Library app from the app store.
Located in downtown Hillsboro, the Washington County Law Library strives to enhance equal access to justice by making sure legal information, resources and tools are available and accessible to everyone. As stated by Law Librarian Lee Van Duzer, “We’re really pleased to be able to make these materials more available to the public. Now people have another way to find the resources they need to be successful in whatever legal challenges they're facing.”
The Washington County Law Library was established in 1926 by order of the Washington County Court. It is supported by Oregon legislative appropriation and operated by Washington County in consultation with the Circuit Court Presiding Judge and Washington County Bar Association. The Law Library’s mission is to provide research training and legal reference assistance, and access to a variety of general and specialized legal information resources and tools. They provide a comfortable, welcoming and usable space for everyone engaged with the justice system, including litigants and those facing legal issues, attorneys, court staff, the judiciary and other governmental organizations.
Lightopia from Hillsboro Parks and Rec
New reservations for Lightopia at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex open today. Reserve your free spot so you don't miss out on this beautiful drive-thru experience. Visit here to see available dates.
Volunteer to be a Youth Basketball Coach
From Hillsboro Parks and Rec
We have an exciting volunteer opportunity to be a Youth Basketball Coach!
Now through mid-February we are in need of Youth Basketball Coaches who can volunteer on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings (6 hours a week). We have included the Essential Coaching Responsibilities below and if you are new to coaching, Hillsboro Parks & Recreation has a comprehensive Education Program for Coaches. The program includes sport specific training, safety and more. So, if you love basketball and want to make a difference in our youth community, then consider being a Youth Basketball Coach!
Essential Coaching Responsibilities
- Align coaching to support Hillsboro Parks & Recreation's youth sports program mission and objectives
- Follow Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Sportsmanship Expectations and other policies regarding safety and behavior
- Model appropriate behavior toward player, coaches, officials and spectators
- Supervise players before, during and after practices and games
- Be at all practices and games early, stay until all players have left of have a parent/guardian present
- Conduct practices which place emphasis on the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, skill development, learning rules and athlete improvement
- Provide a supportive environment during practices and games
- Communicate with Hillsboro Parks & Recreation regarding scheduling changes, behavior issues, and injury incidents
- Effectively communicate with parents regarding team information, schedule and expectations
- Complete required certifications and attend coaching related training provided by Hillsboro Parks & Recreation
- Help promote Hillsboro Parks & Recreation programs and events
For more information and to start the process of being a Youth Basketball Coach, please email our Sports staff members.
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Thank you for being giving community and donating toys for the holidays to local kids through the Hillsboro Firefighter’s Toy and Joy Drive. Thank you Random Acts Inc. A special thank you to local author, Brigette Harrington for donating a stack of her recently released title, “If Flowers Could Talk”. What a compassionate and talented young lady! Check out her website: www.abeobooks.com. I was thrilled to attend her book launch this past weekend and took care of some gifts off my list.
 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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