|
If you're having trouble viewing this message, please visit my legislative web page at http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/prozanski/, click on "News" in the lower left-hand column and scroll down.
Dear friends,
On Tuesday, February 1, Oregon's 81st Legislative Assembly officially began its 2022 "short" session. Due to COVID-19, committees are continuing to meet virtually. The Senate and House are meeting in person to conduct floor business and votes. Social distancing and face covering rules are being enforced. The short session must conclude by March 7 since it is limited to 35 days under the Oregon Constitution (unless extended by a two-thirds vote of both the Senate and House).
To help constituents navigate participation in the legislative process this session, House Majority Leader Julie Fahey's office has created a useful guide, available here.
As mentioned in my January e-bulletin, much of my attention this session is focused on enhancing equity and restorative justice, both as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and via my two personal bills. These efforts include SB 1510 (transforming justice), SB 1511 (addressing non-unanimous jury verdicts), SB 1565 (ensuring acceptance of cash at businesses), and SB 1566 (making legislative service accessibly to more Oregonians).
Click here to listen to my most recent interview (1/31/22) with Kyle Bailey on KQEN's "Inside Douglas County," during which I shared a preview of the legislative session.
Below you will find information on:
- Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program Portal Reopens
- Apply for the 2022 Oregon Supportive Housing Institute
- Scam Alert: Watch Out for Suspicious Covid-19 Testing Sites
- 2022-23 Community Arts Grants & Artist Grants
- Construction Begins on Oakland Bridge Replacement Project
- Northwest Youth Corps Applications Open
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program Portal Reopens
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) recently announced a limited reopening of the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program portal. The program has provided more than $235.4 million in emergency rental assistance to almost 34,000 Oregon renters households impacted by COVID-19 so far. The program has been key to keeping thousands of Oregon families safely and affordably housed.
The pandemic has highlighted long-standing housing issues in our state. It's clear that there's a much greater need than there is available federal funding. Please note: OHCS advises that it is unlikely remaining funds will be sufficient to fund all applications they receive. Per direction from the Legislature, OHCS will continue to focus on applications in the queue prior to 12/1/21 while accepting new applications.
Tenants in need now should reach out to local organizations for assistance. Community Action Agencies receive resources from the state to prevent eviction, and were granted additional funds in the December Special Session eviction prevention package to keep Oregonians in their homes. More information about local jurisdictions with funds available to renters can be found here.
Apply for the 2022 Oregon Supportive Housing Institute
OHCS also announced it is partnering with the Corporation for Supportive Housing to create Oregon's third Supportive Housing Institute. The 2022 Institute will help supportive housing partners learn how to navigate the complex process of developing housing with support services and reduce the time it takes to obtain funding for supportive housing by improving the planning, development, and initial project implementation process. It will have a primary focus on building the capacity of both new and experienced housing developers and service providers to serve high needs population throughout Oregon.
The Corporation for Supportive Housing has a record of accomplishment across the country, with graduates experiencing an 80 percent success rate in bringing projects into operation. The Oregon Supportive Housing Institute will provide targeted training and technical assistance to both new and experienced development teams. Teams receive intensive training over five months including individualized technical assistance and support to assist in planning quality projects. Subject matter experts from across the state and country, in partnership with local expertise, will provide insight on coordinating services and property management, building a race equity culture, financing, funding and trauma-informed design. Click here for more information.
Scam Alert: Watch Out for Suspicious Covid-19 Testing Sites
With the growth of the highly contagious omicron variant and higher demand for COVID-19 tests, please be on alert for testing sites that seem suspicious, or vendors that are selling at-home tests for sky-high prices. The Oregon Department of Justice asks Oregonians to report any dubious testing sites or vendors selling at-home tests at inflated prices to the Attorney General's Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or www.oregonconsumer.gov.
Oregonians should be cautious about pop-up testing sites that charge out-of-pocket fees, do not display logos, do not disclose the laboratory performing the test, are not affiliated with a known organization, or that ask for sensitive information, like Social Security numbers, that is not necessary for insurance.
If you have information about, or think you have been scammed by a COVID-19 testing site, please file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice at www.oregonconsumer.gov or call the Attorney General's Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.
2022-23 Community Arts Grants & Artist Grants
Applications are now open for Lane Arts Council's 2022-23 Artist Grant, Community Arts Program Grant, and Community Arts Project Grant. Applications for all grant programs are due on April 15. Awards will be announced in June 2022 to fund artists, arts projects, and arts organizations in the Eugene area for activities completed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Community Arts Grants and Artist Grants are funded by the City of Eugene Cultural Services Division and administered by Lane Arts Council.
There are two upcoming information sessions to learn more about the grant priorities and guidelines, get tips on assembling your application, and ask questions:
- Community Arts Grants Information Session (Program Grant & Project Grant)
Tuesday, February 15, 2-3 p.m. | Register here
- Artist Grant Information Session
Tuesday, February 15, 5-6 p.m. | Register here
Construction Begins on Oakland Bridge Replacement Project
Working in partnership with Douglas County, the Oregon Department of Transportations is managing replacement of the Oakland Bridge, along with contractor, Farline Bridge, Inc. of Stayton, Oregon. The project includes a completely new bridge and alignment, just north of the existing 1925 bridge. The new bridge will feature two lanes of traffic, wider shoulders and allow for pedestrian traffic. This project is part of a two-bridge replacement that also includes the replacement of the Conn-Ford (Melrose) Bridge west of Roseburg, with construction expected to begin later this spring.
The Oakland Bridge (commonly known as the Calapooya Creek Bridge) is located on the Oakland-Shady Highway (Old Highway 99 North) at milepost 1.08, at the northwest corner of the town of Oakland (NE 1st Street), where it carries traffic over Calapooya Creek and the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad. The bridge is a vital link to Interstate 5 for area residents and tourists. It was determined several years ago that the Oakland Bridge, which was constructed in 1925, had exceeded its useful lifespan. The existing bridge has a narrow deck, which is currently limited to a single lane with traffic controlled by a signal at each end. This results in frequent delays and bottlenecking. The 1925 bridge also requires frequent repairs, so, without replacement, it would continue to deteriorate beyond the point where routine maintenance would be enough to keep it open for traffic.
The 1925 Oakland Bridge will remain open to traffic until the new bridge is completed. Most construction will take place outside of the travel lanes, though some intermittent lane and shoulder closures may be necessary. For the first three weeks of February 2022, the contractor will be moving equipment to the work zone and clearing trees and brush near both ends of the bridge. Utility companies will also be working in the area.
Douglas County was awarded a grant of $16,495,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Competitive Highway Bridge Program, which is a part of the 2019/20 Moving Forward Act, for the two-bridge bundle. Remaining funding will come from Douglas County and State sources.
Please watch for intermittent lane and shoulder closures. However, delays will likely be brief, and flaggers will provide traffic control as needed. ODOT will be notifying the public prior to any road closures or other major traffic impacts. You can visit their GovDelivery page to sign up for e-mail updates. Or you can visit the project website at www.OaklandOregonBridge.com.
Northwest Youth Corps Applications Open
Since 1984, Northwest Youth Corps, has provided thousands of youth and young adults opportunities to learn, grow, and experience success. Through partnerships with land management agencies, participants gain personal and professional skills needed to carry out a variety of stewardship projects for which they earn a stipend and may also be eligible for school credit. Equally important, these young people gain skills needed to become economically and socially self-sufficient, to benefit their communities as citizen stewards, and to recognize that they can make a positive difference.
Northwest Youth Corps currently has multiple positions open. Click here to learn more and apply!
|
