Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Monday was a reminder, which perhaps we all need right now, of what can be achieved when both sides come together for the good of the state and enact real and meaningful public policies. We only had one day for the Special Session, but we made the most of it and accomplished some very impressive things! We extended the eviction safe harbor and added $100 million to the rental assistance fund, $100 million to local rental funds, and $10 million to the Landlord Guarantee Fund. We allocated $100 million in drought relief for Oregon farmers and $25 million to curb illegal cannabis growth in Southern Oregon. $2 million will go to prevent gun violence in East Multnomah County, and $18 million in support for refugees from Afghanistan also passed. To read more about the Special Session, please see the "Special Session Accomplishments" below.
I will be happy to answer questions about the Special Session, or any of our Legislative accomplishments this past year, at my Town Hall on Saturday. I look forward to reviewing the year and looking ahead to the Short Session and I hope you can make it out to the Forest Grove City Auditorium or catch it on Facebook Live. The details are in the next section, titled "Upcoming Town Hall".
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UPCOMING TOWN HALL
Join me for a Town Hall to review the work of the Legislature over the last year, to look forward to the Short Session that begins in February, and to provide a forum for people to share about their experiences during this challenging time. Whether you're a teacher, a first responder, or a front-line worker, I want to hear about what you need.
WHEN: December 18th, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
WHERE: Forest Grove City Auditorium (1915 Main Street) or on Facebook Live at: http://www.facebook.com/SusanMcLainforOregon
For questions or to share issues that you would like to discuss, please email my office at: rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov
SPECIAL SESSION ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Oregon Legislature Passes Bills to Prevent Thousands of Winter Evictions, Fund Rental Assistance
The House and Senate passed legislation to prevent thousands of winter evictions, fund more rental assistance, speed up application processing, and ensure housing providers are fully paid.
Senate Bill 891 extends eviction safe harbor protections for each individual who has applied for rental assistance and who initiates safe harbor protections by June 30, 2022. A tenant’s safe harbor protections will remain in place while their application is being processed, though all safe harbors will expire on October 1, 2022. The current safe harbor protections, which the Legislature passed nearly unanimously in June, last 60 days.
- $100 million in additional state emergency rental assistance to ensure low-income tenants have access to housing in the winter.
- $100 million for local rental assistance and eviction prevention and diversion efforts, including funding to support partnerships with existing programs as Oregon transitions from large-scale pandemic-related emergency rental assistance to long-term, locally-delivered eviction prevention services.
- An additional $10 million to the Landlord Guarantee Fund to reimburse landlords for non-payment of rent and other fees incurred during the safe harbor period.
- $5 million to speed up the delivery of federal funds, make software improvements, and cover the cost of staffing for OHCS and the third-party provider they have contracted with to improve this process, Public Partnerships LLC.
“We fulfilled our commitment to keep people housed and to make landlords whole, a promise we made at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Representative Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene and Junction City), chair of the House committee on housing. “I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish for Oregonians. Everyone deserves a place to call home.”
State and local partners have seen a significant increase in rental assistance application volume, as families across the state continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. This surge has caused administrative delays across the state, including in Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Jackson, Marion, Polk, Yamhill and Washington counties.
“Agencies and community partners will now have additional funds to help speed up processing rental assistance,” said Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland), chair of the Senate committee on housing. “We know this can be a life and death issue for many and today we prevented potential tragedies.”
In June, on a near unanimous vote, the Oregon Legislature passed safe harbor protections to protect tenants from eviction for 60 days while they waited for their rental assistance application to be processed.
SB 891 passed the House 37-18 and 22-6 in the Senate. SB 5561 passed the House 52-3 and 26-2 in the Senate. Both bills head to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
$100 Million in Drought Relief Funding for Oregon’s Farmers
House and Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 892 and Senate Bill 5561 to provide a $100 million drought relief package to support farmers and irrigators across the state who have been impacted by this past summer’s extreme heat and wildfires.
“Climate change continues to take a toll on Oregon. The recent heat dome, wildfire smoke and record drought have impacted farming communities severely,” said Representative Anna Williams (D-Hood River). “With 92% of the state now facing severe drought, communities throughout rural Oregon face lower crop production, equipment sales, and more. This threatens our entire agricultural industry, one of the pillars of Oregon’s economy.”
The package includes:
- $40 million for an agricultural forgivable disaster loan program to fill gaps in federal disaster relief for agricultural producers, and to provide bridge assistance while Oregonians wait for federal funds;
- $12 million for the Klamath Basin for domestic well assistance, livestock wells, drought resiliency, and for irrigation district assistance;
- $9.7 million to address drought relief on Klamath Tribal lands;
- $10 million for agricultural workers who miss work due to unsafe working conditions resulting from extreme heat or smoke;
- $9.75 million for irrigation district assistance to offset water user costs;
- $5 million for cricket and grasshopper eradication;
- $5.75 million for domestic and community well assistance;
- $3 million for emergency soil conservation fund in Jefferson County;
- $1.5 million for the Oregon Community Food Systems Network to develop a Disaster Relief Fund for farmers unable to access federal disaster relief funds or the state’s proposed forgivable disaster loan program;
- $1 million for technical assistance for BIPOC farmers and drought resistance crop outreach;
- $1 million for drought resiliency work in Jefferson County;
- $750,000 for drought resistance research and implementation; and
- $300,000 for a statewide drought vulnerability assessment.
The SB 892 passed unanimously in the House and 28-2 in the Senate. SB 5561 passed 52-3 in the House and 26-2 in the Senate. Both bills head to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
$25 Million to Address Illegal Cannabis Operations and Humanitarian Crisis
The House and Senate passed Senate Bill 893 and Senate Bill 5561 , which will provide $25 million to prevent illegal operations and address the humanitarian crisis impacting migrant workers at these sites.
“Illegal cannabis operations in Southern Oregon have been using our limited water supply, abusing local workers, threatening neighbors and negatively impacting businesses run by legal marijuana growers,” said Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland). “This is urgent funding we need right now to protect our agriculture industry, a pillar of Oregon’s economy and the Rogue Valley’s quality of life.”
Reports have also documented the unsafe and harmful working environment migrant workers are subjected to, including human-trafficking, threats to withhold pay, and unsanitary conditions without adequate food, and shelter.
“This is about more than just access to essential resources, this is a human rights issue,” said Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland). “No one should be subjected to these inhumane working conditions. Workers deserve a healthy work environment and living wage. To be clear, there is more work to do on behalf of workers, but this legislation is a good start.”
Senate Bill 893 will provide financial assistance via grants through the Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Grant Program, which will be distributed to local law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations.
In future sessions the Legislature will look to provide additional culturally-specific resources and support to assist trafficked survivors and impacted workers.
$2 Million for Gun Violence Prevention in East Multnomah County
The Legislature passed Senate Bill 5561, a budget allocation bill that includes $2 million in funding for gun violence prevention in East Multnomah County.
The investment will assist the City of Gresham and local community partners in creating and implementing the East Metro Outreach, Prevention, and Intervention (OPI) program. The program will address rising youth violence and improve public safety outcomes in East Multnomah County by building community and investing in mentoring and culturally responsive youth programming.
“These investments in our children are fundamental to their growth and development,” said Representative Ricki Ruiz (D-Gresham). “By providing youth with the resources, education, treatment, and guidance they need to feel seen and supported, we are creating a better future.”
The country has had a rise in gun violence and the spikes have particularly impacted East Multnomah County in recent months, making this legislation an essential piece to the ongoing community-based work and efforts that have started.
“The East Metro Outreach, Prevention and Intervention Program is critical for communities in east Multnomah County,” said Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale). “This investment will bring resources to some of the most diverse communities in Oregon in a concentrated effort to reduce violence with upstream initiatives.”
The bill passed the House 52-3, following a 26-2 vote in the Senate, and now heads to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
$18 Million to Support Afghan Refugee Resettlement in Oregon
House and Senate passed Senate Bill 5561, a budget reallocation that includes $18 million to support Afghan individuals and families with housing, education, legal aid, job training and culturally-specific support as they arrive in Oregon.
Since August, in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland) and Representative Khanh Pham (D-Portland) have led efforts to support a compassionate response to evacuate Afghan allies.
This past summer, following the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan, more than 70,000 Afghan individuals and families fled to the U.S. to escape widespread instability.
“I have been heartened these last few months to see support from Oregonians across the state willing to step up, offering what they can to respond to this humanitarian crisis” said Representative Pham. “We have a moral responsibility to provide safety and welcome our Afghan allies and families who are joining our communities”
This $18 million package was developed in collaboration with state agencies and community partners to meet immediate needs of families as they enroll their children in school, secure housing, adjust their legal status, and find employment. Oregon’s local resettlement agencies have committed to welcoming up to 1,200 Afghan arrivals in the next year.
“This funding will not only prevent families from falling through the cracks as they begin the next chapter of their lives in Oregon, but will also be a strategic economic investment for our state. By welcoming Afghan families today, our state will benefit for many years to come” said Senator Jama.
Previous generations of immigrants and refugees have improved communities across Oregon by revitalizing neighborhoods, opening businesses, and contributing to the state’s rich history, diversity, economy and culture.
The bill passed the House 52-3, following a 26-2 vote in the Senate, and now heads to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
COVID-19 UPDATES AND INFORMATION
Where the new cases are by county: Baker (4), Benton (11), Clackamas (64), Clatsop (7), Columbia (8), Coos (46), Crook (17), Curry (5), Deschutes (46), Douglas (39), Harney (2), Hood River (4), Jackson (57), Jefferson (2), Josephine (16), Klamath (18), Lane (54), Lincoln (5), Linn (50), Malheur (4), Marion (102), Morrow (1), Multnomah (85), Polk (33), Tillamook (13), Umatilla (22), Union (28), Wallowa (1), Wasco (8), Washington (83), Wheeler (8) and Yamhill (40).
COVID-19 hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 382, which is 26 fewer than yesterday. There are 97 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is nine fewer than yesterday.
There are 59 available adult ICU beds out of 685 total (9% availability) and 272 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,143 (7% availability).
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.
Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.
Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain. You can find a test here. If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.
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Oregon’s first three cases of Omicron-variant COVID-19 have been confirmed in Washington and Multnomah counties. Oregon Health & Science University Laboratory conducted the sequencing that detected the variant on Dec. 13.
“On Dec. 1, when the first case was reported in the United States, we shared that it was a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if,’ the Omicron variant of COVID-19 would be detected in Oregon,” said Dean E. Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority.
“We recognize this news is concerning to many people. However, if history is our guide, we do know that even if a vaccine doesn’t target a specific variant, the strong immune response you get from being fully vaccinated can still be highly protective against severe disease from all COVID-19 variants,” he said.
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If you plan to travel by air, bus, or train this holiday season, consider these tips:
1. Take more precautions before visiting people at higher risk of infection or severe disease.
Before visiting older adults or family members who are at higher risk of infection or severe disease due to COVID-19:
- Limit your exposure to non-household members, especially to large crowds indoors, for 14 days.
- Before you start your trip, you can take a home test. Testing options have expanded to include highly accurate rapid, at-home tests. If it’s negative, go on the trip. If it’s positive, stay home.
2. Get vaccinated. Get boosted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- COVID-19 vaccines are now available to everyone age 5 and older. The vaccines are highly effective at protecting against severe illness and death. If you have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, get vaccinated today.
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Booster doses of vaccine are recommended for everyone age 18 and older – six months after a vaccination of Pfizer or Moderna and two months after a dose of Johnson & Johnson. Boosters add an extra layer of protection as immunity may wane over time. Schedule your appointment today. It takes about two weeks for the booster to bring up the immune response.
Also get your flu shot at least two weeks before travel.
3. Not vaccinated? Get tested before you go.
If you are not fully vaccinated, get a viral test 1-3 days before your trip. Testing options have expanded to include highly accurate rapid, at-home tests. If it’s negative, go on the trip. If it’s positive, stay home.
4. Wear a well-fitting face covering in crowded areas.
Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth (except children younger than two years old) in crowded areas including airports, airplanes, buses or trains.
Wearing effective face coverings protects the wearer and those around them from infection. The virus primarily spreads from person to person through airborne particles and droplets. Well-fitted masks stop most particles and droplets.
5. After travel, self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
If you develop symptoms, isolate and get tested. If you are not fully vaccinated:
- Self-quarantine for 7 days, and get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after returning from travel.
- If you don’t get tested, self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
No matter where you go during the holidays, also be sure to take the other precautions that have helped us throughout the pandemic, including distancing, handwashing, and air flow (or ventilation). Keeping at least six feet away from others outside your home, washing your hands frequently, and bringing in fresh air also protects against spreading the virus.
You can find more tips from the CDC about domestic travel and international travel during COVID-19.
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VACCINE INFORMATION
At your vaccination appointment you should get a vaccination card that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it.
If you misplace your card, you may be able to get a replacement card where you got vaccinated or you can use the vaccination record your provider office keeps.
Remember to take your vaccine card with you when you get your booster dose. The vaccine provider will update the card with the date and type of vaccine. It is a good idea to take a picture of the card to keep on your phone, but don’t share photos of your card on social media since it contains personal information.
Get your COVID-19 vaccines at a local walk-in or drive-through vaccination site
Are you finding it hard to get a COVID-19 vaccine? Whether it’s your first dose, second dose, third dose or booster dose, be sure to check out the high-volume vaccination sites now operating throughout Oregon. These walk-in and drive-through sites offer all three COVID-19 vaccines at no cost and are open to everyone eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination or booster.
Washington Co. Vaccine Information:
Washington County's Mobile Vaccination Van: The 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.
Tektronix (starting Thursday, November 11): This clinic will offer all three vaccines, including boost and pediatric doses. Located at 14200 SW Karl Braun Drive (inside Building 58) in Beaverton. Hours are Monday through Friday from 12-6 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Walk-in only, no appointments.
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!
Pacific University: December 11-14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Parking Lot M on the Pacific University Forest Grove Campus. Follow traffic flow signage to access the clinic from Main Street. All vaccines available, including boosters and pediatric Pfizer for children ages 5-11. Drive-through or walk up. No appointments. This clinic is a partnership between Oregon Health Authority and FEMA.
Beaverton Resource Center: This clinic on Fridays takes place inside the Beaverton Resource Center, 13565 SW Walker Road. Visit Project Access Now's website to make an appointment. All three vaccines are available, including boosters and third doses. This site is currently not offering the pediatric Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11. NO CLINIC on December 24, December 31 or January 14.
Centro Cultural Clinic: On Saturdays at 1110 N. Adair Street in Cornelius
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.
Mix and Match Approved: The CDC approved a “mix-and-match” strategy that allows anyone qualifying for a booster to receive any of the FDA-authorized vaccines. People may receive either the same or a different COVID-19 vaccine, depending on advice from a health care provider, individual preference, availability or convenience.
AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY
1000 Friends of Oregon meets with Farmers in Washington County
I had the opportunity to join some local Western Washington County farmers, Washington County Commission Chair Kathryn Harrington, and the new Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, Sam Diaz, for a great discussion today! We talked about the importance of land use policy, and also touched on issues surrounding the agricultural industry in general, and on transportation topics. Thank you to Larry Duyck, Jacque Duyck, and Dave Vanasche for sponsoring the event, and a special thank you to Dave and Ellen Vanasche for hosting. I always enjoy visiting their farm and having events in the beautiful (and heated) barn they have.
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Mental Health, Wellness, and Safety Resources!
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Lightopia – An Illuminated Journey: December 9 through 31
Lightopia – An Illuminated Journey, the award-winning drive-through light show at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, returns this December 9 through 31. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the brilliant display, which expands to a half-mile this year. Reservations for the week of December 9-14 open December 1, and reservation spots for the following week’s dates will be released weekly (on Wednesdays).
Optional: bring an unwrapped toy for the Hillsboro Firefighters Toy & Joy Drive or a non-perishable, unexpired food item for Hillsboro School District's Food Pantry.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION
The Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program is paused to new applicants as of December 1, 2021 at 11:59pm. Please note that Washington County still has rental assistance available.
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.
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 at https://caowash.org/programs/housing-stability/renter-support.html. 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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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.
VETERANS RESOURCES
Washington County Veterans Resources
American Legion Post 104: (503) 642-4907
American Legion Post 006: (503) 648-7191
Washington County Disability, Aging, and Veteran Services: (503) 846- 3060
Hillsboro VA Clinic: (503) 906-5000
Paws Assisting Veterans: info@paveusa.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars: (503) 895- 1342
Hillsboro Elks Lodge: (503) 648- 1862
Rock Creek Veteran Resources | Veteran Resources at PCC : (971) 722-7743 or 7744
Veterans Support | Pacific University
Mental Health Services:
- Washington County Crisis Line | 503-291-9111
- Crisis Text Line | Text “Connect” to 741741
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Lifeline | 1-866-488-7386
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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
Happy Holidays!
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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