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Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
While the committee meetings this session are being held virtually, the Senate and House Floor sessions continue to be conducted in-person. Here are some updates on bills my office is following.
Happening This Week
- After having passed out of the Senate, SCR 202 - recognizing and honoring Paul Laruya Ramirez Sr. for his service to United States during World War II has completed the next step of the journey by passing out of the House Committee on Veterans and Emergency Management with a unanimous vote. Next up, it will soon be heard on the House floor.
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HB 4151 – allowing the entire state to access self-service options alongside full service refueling, passed out of the Joint Committee on Transportation with bipartisan support.
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HB 4128 – relating to the tracking of zoonotic diseases and the sale, transportation, and possession of prohibited species, passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and is on its way to the Governor’s Desk.
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SB 1543 – relating to establishing programs for universal representation, is scheduled for a vote in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means this evening at 5:30pm. Watch here.
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SB 1545 – the Governor’s work force development bill (Future Ready Oregon) is scheduled for a vote in the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education this afternoon at 1:00pm. Watch here.
You can also subscribe to my legislative YouTube Channel for regular updates.
Future Ready Oregon
This session, Governor Kate Brown has introduced the Future Ready Oregon plan to addresses Oregon’s workforce crisis. Oregon entered the decade facing a workforce crisis. Prior to the pandemic, Oregon industries faced a shortage of 300,000 workers with post-secondary credentials (such as an apprenticeship, degree, or certificate). The pandemic exacerbated this crisis, and highlighted existing, significant disparities in our workforce system. Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, and people of color, people with low incomes, and rural Oregonians were hardest hit. Barriers to job readiness, job training, and career advancement persist.
Future Ready Oregon, or Senate Bill 1545 is a comprehensive $200 million package of investments to give people the education, training, and resources they need to get into good-paying jobs. Future Ready Oregon makes targeted investments to advance opportunities for historically underserved communities, including adult learners, dislocated workers, and disconnected youth.
Myself, along with Representatives McLain and Sosa recently wrote an op-ed, published in the Hillsboro News-Times. You can read that op-ed here.
Follow along with the progress of SB 1545 here.
Welcome Ceph Tronco to the Capitol
A welcome courtesy went out to one of Senate District 15's high school interns, Ceph Tronco, who came to Salem to visit the Capitol on Monday. Ceph is a senior at Glencoe High School, takes Portland Community College classes AND is a student representative on the Hillsboro School District School Board. Ceph is excited about engaging students in government because they believe that students have insights and experience that can help shape better policy. You can watch my courtesy for Ceph on the Senate floor here.
Education Updates
Summer Learning Webinar Series
From the Oregon Department of Education
Summer is fast approaching and we know many schools and districts are engaged in planning. To support these ongoing efforts in schools, we are excited to be hosting a Panel of Practitioners webinar as part of our Summer Learning Webinar Series.
This webinar will be taking place on February 24th from 3pm-4pm and February 25th from 10am-11am. Our panel members will be sharing their expertise in creating, managing and implementing equity-driven summer learning programs.
You will find registration and additional information here. This series is based upon ODE’s Summer Learning Best Practice Guide that was released in October 2021.
If you would like to sign up for additional information specific to summer learning please join our listserv.
We hope to see you there!
Honoring Black History Month
As Black History Month comes to a close at the end of February, I wanted to recognize the late Senator Jackie Winters, who I have the utmost respect for and was honored to advocate for a bill that she dedicated years to making positive change for Oregonians and pass, SB 1008. The bill successfully passed in 2019 session. You can watch Senator Winter's Senate floor carry of SB 1008 here, at marker 22:45.
I would also like to recognize Bertony Faustin, a Senate District 15 constituent and the first recorded black winemaker in Oregon. Visit Bertony at his Abbey Creek Winery, located in North Plains. I am so proud to know him and for all that he has accomplished.
Celebrating Senator Jackie Winters
While she was born in Topeka, Kansas, Senator Jackie Winters cemented her legacy of public service in Oregon. After graduating from Portland Public Schools she began her government service career in the medical records department at Oregon Health and Sciences University. 10 years later, she was recruited to work in the administration of Governor Tom McCall. She won a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1998 where Winters was the first African American Republican elected to the Legislature. Four years later Winters won a seat in the Oregon State Senate and continued that service until her passing during the 2019 Legislative Session.
“I’ve lost my partner in public service,” said Senate President Peter Courtney who, like Winters, represents a Salem-area district. “The Legislature and Oregon has lost a dedicated servant. We’ve lost the best of the best.” Gov. Kate Brown said in a statement: "Senator Jackie Winters has been a bastion of integrity, justice, and common sense in the Oregon Legislature since she first took her seat in 1999.”
Outside of public service Winters was also known for her business acumen and in 1985 started Jackie’s Ribs in Salem. Over time, she and her family expanded operations to include three restaurants, two franchises, catering services, and numerous appearances in national Bar-B-Q Cook-offs.
At the time of her passing, The family requested that in lieu of flowers, please direct donations to one of the following: the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, the Liberty House or the Oregon Food Bank.
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Celebrate Black History Month at Abbey Creek Winery
In 2008, when Bertony Faustin became the first recorded black winemaker in Oregon he was quick to point out: “It’s great that I’m the first but what’s important is that I’m not the last.” The OG Crick, in Senate District 15 in the heart of downtown North Plains, serves as the production facility, the tasting room and all-around gathering place. Both the OG and The Crick PDX in downtown Portland are available for tasting reservations by following this link.
Born in Brooklyn New York to Haitian-immigrant parents, Bertony’s destiny was never set in stone. You can learn more about his story and the inception of the winery in this short film from Noah Thomas. You can see the continual refinement of his “My best is my next” attitude through is role as the executive producer of the documentary: Red, White and Black which shares the stories of some of the minority winemakers in Oregon.
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Community Outreach
Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services
I recently learned about the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) that helps provide support, and government or community resources, for Oregon seniors and people with disabilities. This program is statewide and in Washington County is run by the Disability, Aging and Veteran Services Department. To connect with ADRC in other areas, visit here or call 1-855-673-2372.
For services in Washington County, visit here and read below.
From Washington County:
We provide programs and services to maintain and enhance the quality of life to assure that basic needs are met for Washington County seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Most of our programs serve those ages 60 and over, while our veterans program and benefits enrollment center serves all ages.
We provide support for family caregivers, assist with Medicare, connect individuals with limited income and resources to key benefits, and provide short-term intervention to help isolated seniors navigate and access services.
We also serve those who need in-home assistance in order for them to stay in their homes, as well as helping people make decisions about long-term care. We provide free advice and assistance for Washington County veterans and their family members in order to obtain all of the benefits and services they are entitled to under the law.
For more information, please call our toll-free number at 1-855-ORE-ADRC (673-2372).
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Parent Speaker Series
Washington County Kids is hosting a virtual Parent Speaker Series throughout the month of March featuring interactive presentations designed to provide useful information, tips, and tools for families of students in grades K-12. The first session on Developmental Stages takes place Tuesday, Mar. 1, at 6:30 p.m.; other sessions are on Wednesdays. Flyer: https://bit.ly/3BShru9
Serie de oradores para padres
Washington County Kids está organizando una serie virtual de oradores para padres durante el mes de marzo con presentaciones interactivas diseñadas para proporcionar información útil, consejos y herramientas para las familias de los estudiantes en los grados K-12. La primera sesión sobre las etapas del desarrollo se llevará a cabo el martes, 1 de marzo a las 6:30 p.m.; las próximas sesiones serán los miércoles. Volante: https://bit.ly/3H8klvu
High School Musical - Senate District 15 Version
Thank you to High School Intern, Ceph Tronco, a student at Glencoe High School, for the following information.
Spring musical season for high school theatre departments across the district is about to begin. The kickoff is Xanadu, which opens at Glencoe High School this Friday. Come experience an 80s extravaganza complete with disco balls, music, and roller-skating as GHS presents the story of Greek muse Clio who risks it all when she falls for frustrated artist and southern California dude Sonny. Sonny has given up on his dream of one day opening an artsy roller disco when he meets Clio and is inspired to make his dream a reality. Family-friendly performances on Feb. 25 and 26, and Mar. 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance through the Glencoe Webstore or $15 at the door.
Next up is Forest Grove High School’s production of Mamma Mia, opening on April 1st. In this hit musical the songs of ABBA come alive to tell the tale of Sophie, a young girl who invites a trio of strangers to her wedding in an attempt to discover which one of them is her father. Old love and second chances abound all set to a soundtrack of classic 70s hits. Look for more information on the Forest Grove High School Website as dates approach.
Rounding out the year Liberty is producing SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical. Based on the animated television series this musical introduces a cast of familiar characters, from SpongeBob himself to his pet snail Garry, his friends Patrick and Sally, his neighbor Squidward, his boss Mr. Crabs, and a whole lot more. The show opens April 22nd, with more information to come.
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Senate District 15 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: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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