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Friends and Neighbors,
CANCELLED: Virtual 3rd Listen and Learn Event with Local District Leaders
Due to scheduling conflicts for several of the presenters, tonight's Listen and Learn event has been cancelled. Those that registered to attend have been notified. We will reschedule for a future date following the upcoming legislative session. Watch for updates in my upcoming newsletters.
Appointment to Senate District 15
On Friday, I will be sworn in as the Senator for Senate District 15, having been appointed by the Washington County Commission to fill the seat left vacated at the end of 2021 by Senator Chuck Riley's retirement. You can watch the Swearing-In Ceremony live on OLIS at this link here.
My resignation as the House District 30 Representative will be effective tomorrow. My new office contact information is below. Please feel free to contact my office anytime with questions or concerns.
COVID-19 Updates
Federal Government Taking Orders for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
From Oregon Health Authority
The federal government is launching a new website today, Jan. 19, where you can order free at-home rapid antigen tests, to be delivered to your home by the U.S. Postal Service. Current supply limits orders to four tests per residential address. It will take at least a week after an order is placed for tests to be shipped (for free) first-class mail. Click here for more information on the federal government’s plans to make COVID-19 testing accessible to everyone.
Rental Assistance Updates
State to Reopen the Portal for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program on January 26 for Limited Time
Press Release from Oregon Housing and Community Services
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will begin accepting new
applications again for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) starting on Wed., Jan. 26, 2022. The state paused accepting new applications in early December due to dwindling funding and the need to make system improvements. This will be a limited reopening for three to five weeks, depending on availability of funds. The agency estimates to have sufficient funding to pay between 6,700-9,300 additional applications. Households with the most need will have priority in accessing these resources, not a first-come, first-served basis.
Tax Updates
Oregon Department of Revenue Provides 2022 Tax Season Tips
Press Release from the Oregon Department of Revenue
SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Revenue is offering tips to taxpayers in preparation for the 2022 tax filing season. The IRS and DOR will begin accepting efile tax returns on January 24. The tax filing deadline this year is April 18.
Returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t issue personal income tax refunds until mid-February. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on forms W-2 and 1099.
Revenue encourages taxpayers to organize their tax records and check on the following items before filing their 2021 tax return to ensure that it is a complete and accurate tax return:
- Make sure your information is current at Revenue Online.
- If you don’t have a Revenue Online account, we encourage you to set one up.
- See the IRS and DOR websites for tax filing tips.
- Assemble your W-2 from your employer(s), 1099 forms and other documents you will need to file.
- Check the amount of any Child Tax Credit payments you received. Advance payments were sent automatically by the IRS to those eligible. Families who received advance payments need to file a 2021 tax return and compare the advance payments they received in 2021 with the amount of the Child Tax Credit they can properly claim on their 2021 federal tax return.
- Choose a reputable tax preparer. The Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners offers a License Lookup website and there is more information from the IRS website.
The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) confirmed a nearly $1.9 billion tax surplus, triggering a tax surplus credit, or kicker, for the 2021 tax year that will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2021 state personal income tax returns filed in 2022.
You're eligible to claim the kicker if you filed a 2020 tax return and had tax due before credits. Even if you don't have a filing obligation for 2021, you still must file a 2021 tax return to claim your kicker credit. There will be detailed information on how to claim your kicker credit in the 2021 Oregon personal income tax return instructions: Form OR-40 for full-year Oregon residents, Form OR-40-P for part-year residents, and Form OR-40-N for nonresidents. Composite and fiduciary-income tax return filers are also eligible. Use the What’s My Kicker calculator to determine what your credit amount will be.
Keep in mind that the state may use all or part of your kicker to pay any state debt you owe, such as tax due for other years, child support, court fines, or school loans.
Read the full press release here.
Community Outreach
Afghanistan Veterans: You Are Not Alone
From the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs
 The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs is encouraging veterans, especially Afghanistan veterans and family, to reach for help if you need it. And if you don't need help, please reach out to a battle buddy or a loved one to make sure they are okay and that they know where to reach for resources if they need them.
ODVA Campus Veteran Coordinator and Afghanistan veteran Joe Mah shares his message to OEF/OIF veterans: "You are not alone." Watch the video here
Information about behavioral health and other important resources can be accessed at this link here.
Preschool Programs Available for Children in Washington County
Head Start and Early Head Start
From Community Action Washington County Head Start Program
Community Action Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer high-quality early childhood education to children ages birth to age five who live in Washington County.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families. These services include health screenings, nutrition, social services, and other family resources based on your family's individual situation.
Families whose income is less than 100 percent of the current federal poverty guidelines are prioritized, though all families regardless of income are welcome to apply.
We also welcome children with special needs and children who are learning English.
For more information and to apply, visit here.
Preschool Promise Program
From Early Learning Washington County
The Preschool Promise Program is a high-quality, publicly funded, preschool program that serves children ages three (3) and four (4) in families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, children in foster care, and children from other historically underserved populations. The Preschool Promise Program is delivered in a variety of settings including centers, homes, and schools.
For more information and to apply, visit here.
Sign Up for Local and National Emergency Alerts
From Ready.gov
Emergencies can strike anywhere, anytime. They can be due to severe weather events or public security threats. Because disasters and emergencies are unpredictable, it’s important to prepare as soon as possible. Give yourself time now to ensure your safety before an emergency occurs by receiving emergency alerts. Know the difference between the main types of alerts, including how you can sign up to get them and what types of messages they communicate.
Visit here to sign up for local and national emergency alerts.
Additional Resources
House District 30 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
I am honored to represent Senate District 15. I look forward to getting to know those who call House District 29 home and representing your voice, and those of House District 30, in Salem. I hope to see you in a virtual Community Conversation in the near future or in-person soon enough.
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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