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Friends and Neighbors,
End Of Session Town Hall
Join me and Representatives McLain and Sosa for a Joint End of Session Town Hall. We will be in person at the Hillsboro Civic Center. I hope to see you there.
Legislative Updates
The official sine die, or last day of session is March 7th, but its always a guessing game as we near the end to see if we will need to go through to the end, or finish the legislative agenda a few days early. I thought it might be helpful to share the following guide from our Legislative Policy Research Office on how a bill becomes a law. During the interim, I will be working on concepts to be addressed in the 2023 legislative session, including ideas that come from constituents. Please send my office an email regarding issues you need addressed or help with:sen.janeensollman@oregonlegislature.gov.
How an Idea Becomes Law
$400 Million Package to Respond to and Prevent Homelessness
The package invests in proven programs and policies, and supports local governments who are working to address community needs
Last week, a $400 million investment package was announced to urgently address immediate needs around homelessness, build on investments to increase the supply of affordable housing, keep people in affordable homes and prevent displacement.
The package invests in proven programs and policies, and supports local governments who are working to address community needs, with a focus on programs that can deploy funds quickly to help Oregonians.
Addressing homelessness ($165 million)
Investments to help Oregonians out of homelessness will address immediate statewide needs, including for more shelter capacity, rapid rehousing, resource referrals and housing stability. Local governments will receive grants for shelter capacity, hygiene needs and outreach. This funding will also go towards innovative solutions, like Project Turnkey 2.0, which acquires and repurposes hotels and other buildings to convert into shelter or housing. Other investments will support unaccompanied homeless youth.
Building and preserving affordable housing ($215 million)
A critical piece in addressing homelessness will be investments in affordable housing. This funding will keep housing affordable for families in supported units, prevent displacement, help build new affordable homes to rent and buy, support affordable housing construction projects struggling with market and supply chain disruptions, acquire and produce manufactured housing parks, and support land acquisition for additional projects.
Supporting homeownership ($20 million)
Making homeownership attainable for working families and individuals is essential to helping Oregonians climb the economic ladder and build generational wealth. These investments will increase capacity for homeownership centers and other nonprofits to help Oregonians achieve homeownership and navigate mortgages and the homebuying process.
City of Hillsboro Homelessness Initiatives
From the City of Hillsboro
Reducing homelessness in Hillsboro and the surrounding region requires collaborative efforts on proven solutions, such as:
- Adequate year-round sheltering with rapid pathways to housing
- Affordable housing and permanent supportive housing
- Effective outreach
- Homelessness prevention and diversion
- Consistent coordination between systems and institutions that impact homelessness services
Read more here.
Oregon Health Authority Updates
Oregon to Lift Mask Requirements in Schools and Most Public Indoor Settings, Effective March 12
From the Oregon Health Authority
Governor Kate Brown announced on Monday that Oregon’s mask requirements for schools and most public indoor settings will end on March 12. Read on for details in English and in Spanish.
Additionally, Dean Sidelinger, M.D., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority, and Colt Gill, director of the Oregon Department of Education, held a press conference to provide details on the policy change and answer questions from the media. A recording of the press conference can be watched here.
Out and About Senate District 15
As session comes to an end this week, I look forward to getting back out and around Senate District 15. If you would like me to come visit your business, school or community program, please reach out to my office at sen.janeensollman@oregonlegislature.gov.
State of the City Luncheon
On Monday, Mark from my office, was able to attend the State of the City Luncheon in Forest Grove and hear from Mayors Dalin and Truax about Cornelius and Forest Grove. It was good hear about their communities, how they are faring through pandemic recovery and their positive projections for the future.
 Mayors Jeffrey Dalin and Pete Truax
Community Outreach
Read Across America Day
Today we celebrate Read Across America Day with educators, volunteers and parents promoting the love of a good book and importance of strong literacy skills. Dr. Seuss says, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
Check out these favorite stories that I have recorded to share with classrooms:
Pamplin Amazing Kids - Nominate an Amazing Kid!
From Pamplin Media
Community is important to Pamplin Media Group and that’s why we choose to honor Amazing Kids in our local areas each year. We are looking for those special youth who rise above the crowd in all manner of ways. They might be academic champs, sports stars or entrepreneurs but most of all they are the helpers. They show through their actions the hope and promise of the next generation.
Please help us tell their stories. Let's share some good news and be inspired. Let's celebrate!
Amazing Kids will be selected by newspaper staff for each of the areas covered by Pamplin Media Group. The Amazing Kid’s photo and a professionally written story about them will appear in a special section, online and in advertisements.
Deadline for nominations is Monday March, 21 2022 at 11:59 pm.
Visit here for more information and to nominate an amazing kid you know.
National Engineers Week 2022
From Portland Metro STEM Partnership
According to the research, one-third of students lose an interest in science by the fourth grade and a children’s interest in STEM is largely formed by the time they reach upper elementary and middle school. The same research also finds that early exposure to STEM, especially for girls, makes children more likely to succeed in science and pursue STEM fields in college.
Five years ago Hillsboro School District Superintendent, Mike Scott, in partnership with Intel and Portland Metro STEM Partnership, conceived an industry-education engagement that gives every 4th grade classroom in Hillsboro a hands-on experience that inspires a future generation to pursue STEM careers. Our partnership’s goal was for students to see themselves as needed in and capable of high-wage/high-demand STEM careers.
Hands-on activities can transform student beliefs about their own identity. For too many children race and gender predict their opportunities to learn, with under-represented minority youth having few career-connected experiences. But when Intel visitors show genuine interest in student thought and connect classroom design challenges to work-place experiences, students see themselves as capable STEM Learners. When an Intel volunteer tells a student that they think the same way, it sparks a change. We’ve had a student walk out of her classroom stating that she is an engineer. Not that she might be one in the future; but she is one now.
This year Intel Volunteers will be joining classrooms virtually, while students engage with them from their classroom in an engineering design challenge that supports February's Bridges math scope and sequence and science standards in 4th grade. The visits will include hands-on design time, volunteer discussions, and opportunities for volunteers to share their passion for engineering.
Learn more about last year’s visits at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te8p4u7M3KQ
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How to Travel Oregon Without a Car
From TriMet.org
Ready to hit the road this spring? Some of Oregon’s most desirable destinations can be reached using public transit! Plan your getaway using our handy guide.
We cover a lot of ground – our service district spans 533 square miles.
But that’s only a fraction of Oregon’s 98,000 square miles. Fortunately, you can make easy connections to other transit agencies and transportation options from our buses and trains.
You can travel to the Oregon Coast, down the Willamette Valley, into the gorge and even into Central Oregon for a low price. No car needed.
In The News
Sunday Suppers bringing sense of community to Hillsboro neighbors Hillsboro News Times, 2/23/22
State Legislature moves towards approval of a mattress recycling program Oregon Capital Chronicle, 2/25/22
Forest Grove team, Hilhi's Medina, Rickett, shine at girls state wrestling meet Pamplin Media Group, 2/25/22
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 Links
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
 There is so much pain in the world right now. Whether we are thinking of those families and children struggling to keep safe in Ukraine, or right here in the USA with the Texas Governor’s horrific actions towards transgender children and their families. So much pain. When I saw a post from a friend and former House District 30 staff member, Shannon Walton-Clark, regarding the Texas Governor’s actions, I asked permission to share. Their words are gripping, genuine, compassionate and raw. I wanted people to read this, feel it and know that not only are there others that may be experiencing same feelings and worries, but also that there are so many who are here to support them and stand with them.
I discovered my trans-ness much later into my twenties. I denied the non-binary part of my identity far longer than I ever denied my queerness. When the news broke yesterday about Texas, that fragile, newest part of myself seized up and I found myself, for the first time in my life, wishing I could just not be me; wishing I could just make the shift back into my old skin and not carry the same heartbreak and rage as I do each time news like this comes out. I had to sit for a full day before being able to tell myself these things.
To 6-year-old Shannon who just wanted to swim in basketball shorts and no shirt: your body is valid, and no one gets to police it.
To 10-year-old Shannon, stuck in dresses and jumpers for uniforms: just because you don’t feel right in these clothes doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.
To 16-year-old Shannon desperately trying to fulfill beauty standards and heteronormative plans with prom dresses and heels and makeup: one day you’re gonna find your person and she is going to love you for you, she’ll help you pick out ties and suits, I promise.
To 19-year-old Shannon away at college: take the time to discover yourself, don’t worry you will find your people and you will keep your old people.
To 28-year-old Shannon, terrified of coming out, of finally saying the words “I’m trans”: you are loved. You are supported. You were created in the image of God; take the plunge it’s the best decision you can make.
I am so incredibly lucky that throughout my life and especially now I find myself surrounded by the greatest people. By a wife who always assures me and reminds me that I am loved. By a boss who fiercely advocates for me and for the community. By a chosen family that shows up, with love and usually beer when needed. For a healthcare provider that recognized my needs and has gone above and beyond to take care of me. And for a faith community that while at times flawed, has never denied my personhood.
All I can hope for, pray for, and fight for, is a world in which all trans children have the same chance I do at growing up, growing old and growing into themselves.
Shannon A Walton-Clark (they/them/theirs)
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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