Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2022 Short Session is in the books, with Sine Die taking place last Friday. It was a whirlwind Session, with almost 200 bills to consider and only 35 days to do so, but we made it! Not only did we cross the finish line, but we passed some very important pieces of legislation that tackled provided necessary investments in education, housing, and work force development. Please read the "2022 Short Session Accomplishments" section of this newsletter for more details on the bills we passed. I am particularly proud of the $300 million education investment that includes $150 million for summer learning programs.
You can also attend one of three upcoming Town Halls to hear a more detailed debrief on the Short Session. The dates are March 16th, April 23rd, and April 30th and more information can be found in this newsletter.
We are approaching a 'blackout period' where State Legislators who are running for reelection (which I am!) cannot send newsletters from their government accounts for 60 days prior to an election. As the Primary Election is May 17th, next week will be my final newsletter until May 18th. I always look forward to communicating with you each week, but I will still post important information, like COVID-19 updates, to my Facebook Page and I encourage you to visit me there!
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Top Left: House on Sine Die; Team McLain (Maggie Thompson and Carolyn Lee )
Bottom Left: Rep. McLain and Casandra Garcia Lopez (2021-22 intern); Reps. Pham and McLain
2022 SHORT SESSION ACCOMPLISHMENTS
“It was a surprisingly successful and productive session, given the fact that the public has demonstrated in public opinion polls a general frustration with the way government has handled the current crises. I think [lawmakers] delivered on a broad range of very important measures significantly improving people's lives." --KGW Political Analyst Len Bergstein
Economic Recovery & Workforce Development
- An investment in workforce development to help workers access the training they will need to succeed, including $200 million for Future Ready Oregon (Senate Bill 1545)
- Over $100 million to help rebuild critical infrastructure in rural Oregon, which will support local economies and create jobs across the state
Key Policies:
Education and Child Care
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$300 million education package to address the staffing crisis in Oregon’s schools, create summer learning opportunities, support wild-fire impacted school districts, and address education disparities by funding the Pacific Islander Student Success Plan and adding $5 million to the African American/Black Student Success Plan.
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$100 million investment to expand access to child care and rebuild the child care workforce.
Key Policies:
A Place to Call Home
Oregon Democrats propose $400M to tackle homelessness and housing statewide (OPB)
- A $400 million package to tackle the urgent housing and homelessness crisis:
- $165 million for homelessness services
- $215 million to build and preserve affordable housing
- $20 million to improve access to homeownership
Key Policies:
Access to Healthcare & Healthy Communities
- Over $300 million for healthcare needs, including:
- Protecting health coverage for low-income Oregonians (House Bill 4035)
- $150 million to support behavioral health workers and providers (House Bill 4004)
- $45 million to address the crisis in Oregon’s health care workforce at OHSU
- Support for Oregon nurses who are experiencing burnout from the extreme stress of the pandemic (House Bill 4003)
Key Policies:
Equity & Justice For All
- Smart investments in community safety, including:
Key Policies:
UPCOMING TOWN HALLS:
March 16th, April 23rd, and April 30th
With the conclusion of the Oregon Legislature's 2022 Short Session, I will be hosting three upcoming town halls to discuss our significant accomplishments related to education, affordable housing, public safety, and support for our working families. Please join me at the following dates:
Joint Town Hall with Sen. Sollman and Rep. Sosa
March 16th, 2022 at 6:00pm (Spanish Translation Available)
Hillsboro Civic Center (150 East Main Street, Room 113 B)
Forest Grove Town Hall
April 23rd, 2022 at 10:00 am
Forest Grove Light and Power Building (1818 B Street)
Cornelius Town Hall
April 30th, 2022 at 10:00 am
Cornelius Library (1370 North Adair Street)
I-5 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
As Co-Chair of the Interstate 5 Bridge Committee, I have had the opportunity to see close up the progress that is being made on replacing the I-5 Bridge. I am proud of all the work that our committee has done and have been very impressed with the efforts of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR), whose employees are tasked with overseeing the planning and implementation of a new bridge. This Project will strengthen the important economic relationship between Washington and Oregon, and I look forward to working with Washington legislators as we implement funding packages to improve lives for Oregonians! Please see below for updates about the Bridge Replacement Project and how I have been involved in the process.
WATCH: The Case for IBR
"We are looking through an economic lens, an equity lens, and an environmental lens, the 'three E's', to ensure this project can fly." - Rep. Susan McLain
I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Washington State Senator Annette Cleveland about the importance of the I-5 Bridge Replacement Program. You can view the video recording on YouTube by clicking the image above or here.
Bridge Replacement Program Updates:
Preliminary transit investments were developed last fall to better understand how different combinations of mode (Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit), alignment, station locations, termini (end point), and park and ride locations perform relative to each other. Ridership demand, cost, potential impacts, and access for equity-priority communities are some of the transit performance measures used in the analysis. Feedback gathered during the fall demonstrated that travel time, easy access, and stations near the waterfront and Clark College are high priorities. This feedback has helped the program, along with partner agencies refine options and develop transit investments that align with community values and priorities.
Additionally, the regional transit systems and changes that have occurred since the previous planning effort are being considered, including C-TRAN and City of Vancouver’s implementation of the Vine BRT network and robust station environments in downtown Vancouver. With these investments in mind, it is important that the program consider factors such as alignment in order to ensure that all modes, existing and planned, function efficiently within the full transit network and respective operating environments.
In addition to the preliminary transit investments linked above, two additional transit investments were recently developed and analyzed:
- Option L: Light Rail Transit, hugging I-5, is extended from the Expo Center in Portland to a terminus (end point) near McLoughlin Blvd in Vancouver, close to I-5. Potential station locations include Hayden Island, Columbia St./Columbia Way near the Vancouver waterfront, and Evergreen Blvd.
- Option M: Light Rail Transit, hugging I-5, is extended from the Expo Center in Portland to a terminus (end point) near Evergreen Blvd in Vancouver, close to I-5. Potential station locations include Hayden Island and Columbia St./Columbia Way near the Vancouver waterfront.
Upcoming Advisory Group Meetings:
Community Advisory Group
Thursday, March 10th: 4PM – 6PM
Equity Advisory Group
Monday, March 14th: 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Executive Steering Group
Monday, March 17th: 10AM – 12PM
Bi-State Legislative Committee
Wednesday, March 23rd: 9AM – 12PM
Community Advisory Group
Thursday, March 24th: 4PM – 6PM
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not only a political crisis, but a humanitarian one, having already displaced 2 million Ukrainians fleeing violence. As a mother, grandmother, and former teacher, it breaks my heart to see families flee their homes and torn apart. There are many organizations that are doing good work to support Ukrainian refugees, and I would like to bring attention to Frontier Horizon, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. They are trying to find buses and are asking for donations to buy food for kids separated from their families, fuel, and rent the buses to help get children to Poland. You can donate at their website, linked here.
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SCHOOL UPDATES
As we head into the Spring and there are shifting health and safety rules, it is important to keep up with updates from our schools, so please take some time to read the letters from both the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts below.
Weekly Superintendent Message:
Dear FGSD Families,
As you might have heard in the news and as we have announced in our past communications, the statewide mask requirements will be lifted on March 11 at 12:59pm. This will allow school districts to set their own mask requirements. With this announcement from state and medical officials, the Forest Grove School District will now allow each student and staff member to choose whether they want to wear or not wear a mask.
With the updated CDC recommendations, the Oregon Department of Education's RSSL guidelines have been updated. Here are several updates we feel are important to highlight. Beginning March 12 the following will be implemented:
- Contact tracing and quarantining will no longer be required. The combination of the number of vaccinated individuals and the number of people who have recently contracted COVID, has put our county in the medium transmission zone, and headed towards the low zone. The Oregon Health Authority has stated that cases will continue to drop rapidly resulting in levels being lower than those seen prior to the Delta wave.
- When a staff member or student is infected with COVID, they will be excluded for five days. On day six, in order to return to school, they will need to be fever free for 24 hours and symptoms should be improving. If not, then they will need to continue to stay home. School health staff will communicate with families about students returning to school.
- When schools are made aware of a case, the school will continue to provide notice to others in the cohort about the exposure.
- If a student or parent has concerns about that exposure because they are immunocompromised, or someone else in the household is immunocompromised, the school can offer testing on the day of exposure and day five after the initial exposure.
- The CDC has lifted the requirement to wear a mask on school buses. Students and families can choose whether they want to wear a mask on a bus. We will continue to leave windows open for improved air ventilation.
- The state mandate requiring all district staff to be vaccinated or have an exemption remains in effect. As previously required, all volunteers must be vaccinated.
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It is incredibly important that if students or staff are not feeling well, that they stay home.
Starting next week, building administrators will be working with their staff to establish class time during which teachers will review expectations with students and to discuss individual/family choice of mask wearing. Everyone needs to be respectful of each other’s situations and decisions to wear or not wear a mask.
As we move into this next phase of the pandemic with the lifting of the statewide mask requirements, there will be many who will choose to continue wearing masks at school. Every individual has the right to make that decision and the district supports the continued use of face coverings by individuals who feel most comfortable doing so. The district will continue to strongly encourage mask wearing indoors, as well as vaccination and booster shots for all eligible persons. The district will continue to implement our layered safety protocols of increased ventilation, portable air filtration systems in all classrooms, cleaning and sanitizing. While it is not always possible, we will strive to keep physical distancing at the recommended three feet.
We have been through a lot over the past two years. Change and adjustment have been a constant for all of us. However, with that constant change, this pandemic could change again. If things change again, and cases begin to increase, we will follow the directives of state and local health authorities. But for now, things are trending lower.
Respectfully,
Dave Parker
Superintendent
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HSD Mask Mandate Update:
Oregon’s mask mandate for indoor public spaces and K-12 schools will lift just before midnight on Friday, March 11. Therefore, all schools and districts need to be prepared to implement their own indoor masking protocols as of Monday, March 14. HSD intends to make mask wearing optional for most people at that time.
Please note that masks will still be required of all persons in our schools and district buildings through Friday, March 11 (including evening activities), per Oregon’s current indoor mask mandate. However, as of Monday, March 14, mask wearing will be optional with the following exceptions:
- Masks are required for students and staff in medically fragile classrooms.
- Masks may be required in other specialized settings, based on the needs of students.
- Masks are required in school health and isolation rooms.
- Masks are required of all visitors in our schools during the normal school day.
- Masks are required for unvaccinated staff members, per the stipulations provided to them in their exception approval meeting.
Please note that the new definition of “public transit” no longer includes school bus systems, which means that the move to optional masking in HSD schools ALSO applies to most HSD buses (except those transporting medically fragile students).
With indoor masking becoming optional for most people, we want to emphasize that it truly is a choice for students and vaccinated staff. Those who choose to wear a mask should not be made to feel bad about it, and those who choose to go mask-free should also not be made to feel bad about it. Our schools are supportive spaces where everyone should feel safe, welcome, and accepted.
For additional information about the District’s indoor masking plan and continuation of other health and safety measures, please see the full communication from March 4. A summary table of the communication is available here.
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Application Deadline Extended for HSD Early College:
The deadline for submitting applications to HSD Early College has been extended to Friday, March 18. Interested students should begin their application right away, as it may take up to a week to complete all sections. Contact HSD Early College TOSA Anya Hershberger with any questions. We look forward to welcoming our new 2022-23 cohort!
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Nominate an Amazing Kid:
Pamplin Media, owners of the Washington County News-Times, is calling for nominations of outstanding young people for their annual Amazing Kids special publication. Learn more on their website and make your nomination by Monday, March 21.
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Community Pen Pal Opportunity:
Local business Just Create Community is launching an eight-week Community Pen Pal program with Ms. Costa’s 6th grade class at Eastwood Elementary School on Tuesday, April 5, and they’d like you to volunteer! The students are learning how to write biographies and Pen Pals will help support them in their efforts.
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2022 Class of National High School Hall of Fame:
I am very honored to be inducted into the National Federation of High School Associations' National High School Hall of Fame for this year along so many incredible coaches, administrators, and students. It is just as much an honor to have coached so many amazing students, who taught me just as much as I taught them. You can read about my work as a Speech and Debate Coach below, and you can view more of the honorees at the NFHS's website, linked here.
From the NFHS's Press Release:
Earlier this week, the NFHS announced its 39th class in the National High School Hall of Fame. Started in 1982 to stand as “A Lasting Memorial to an American Tradition,” more than 500 high school athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, performing arts educators and other contributors have been recognized. And the 12 individuals selected for this year’s class have added to the one and only American Tradition of High School Sports and Performing Arts.
Susan McLain was a highly successful and respected speech and debate educator in Oregon for more than 40 years at the time of her retirement in 2014. After building a successful speech and debate program in the small Oregon community of Phoenix to launch her career, McLain moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, where she established legendary programs at Hillsboro High School and Glencoe High School. She hosted annual tournaments at Hillsboro and Glencoe and became known for her efficient, well-run events. McLain served in every elected position within the Oregon High School Speech League Coaches Association and, through this service, became involved in the NFHS Policy Debate Topic Selection Committee. McLain co-hosted the Topic Selection meeting when it was held in Portland, and she co-sponsored the 1985-86 debate topic on protecting the quality of water in the United States. In 2014, McLain was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives and serves on committees addressing transportation, education, consumer protection and government effectiveness, and agriculture and natural resources.
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Just a few of my amazing students!
COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID-19 by the Numbers:
OHA reported 397 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. 3/8/2022, bringing the state total to 698,127.
There are 29 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 6,772, OHA reported at 12:01 a.m. 3/8/2022.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations:
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 291, which is 13 fewer than 3/7/2022. There are 50 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is two fewer than 3/7/2022.
There are 83 available adult ICU beds out of 655 total (13% availability) and 416 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,287 (10% availability).
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.
More information about hospital capacity can be found here.
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More orders now available for free at-home COVID-19 tests:
The federal government has increased its distribution limit of free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. If you already placed an order for four free tests, you can now place a second order for four more. In total, each residential address can receive a total of eight free at-home tests. The tests can be ordered here, to be delivered to your home via the U.S. Postal Service. Click here for more information on the federal government’s plans to make COVID-19 testing accessible to all.
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VACCINE INFORMATION
Washington County Vaccination Sites:
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!
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.
Paisanos Plaza: This clinic operates every Sunday from 1-5 p.m. It is organized by Oregon Health Authority and Vive NW and offers all vaccines and boosters. It is located at 966 SE Oak Street in Hillsboro. No appointments, ID or health insurance required. Questions? Call the Vive NW hotline at 844-291-4970.
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.
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS CLOSE MARCH 14th
Oregon Housing and Community Services will close applications for Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance on March 14th at 11:59 pm as a result of high demand and limited funding.
The Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) program has paid more than 289.6 million in emergency rental assistance to more than 40,000 Oregon households whose housing was impacted by the pandemic.
The pandemic has highlighted long-standing housing issues in our state and it has become increasingly clear there’s a much greater need than available funding for this particular program.
More information is linked here.
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WILDFIRE 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
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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