Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I always tell myself that I will slow down a little in the summer and enjoy time at the beach, but even when I get over there, the work comes with me! There's much to do to prepare for the upcoming Legislative Session. I have been drafting committee plans for Legislative Days in September, meeting on bills for the Session, and tomorrow I will be in Tillamook to tour the Tillamook Creamery as Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, and Water. Next week I travel to Umatilla County for a tour of the Umatilla River Basin and a discussion with the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla on water infrastructure.
I had a great visit to the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce Luncheon last week for director Juanita Lint's State of the Chamber address. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with local business owners and hear from them about priorities for the Legislative Session. I also gave the Cornelius City Council an update on interim policy work on Monday night. I enjoyed a lively discussion with Mayor Dalin and the Council on issues that matter to the local community, including infrastructure and road safety. It was Rob Drake's last City Council meeting before retiring as City Manager at the end of August, and I don't want to let the moment pass without noting how lucky Cornelius has been to have Rob serve so faithfully as City Manager. His positive contributions to the community cannot be overstated - we owe him a debt of gratitude and appreciate him for his many years of service.
Finally, I was pleased to join many colleagues and partners recently for the I-205 Improvements Project groundbreaking. Abernethy Bridge is just one of 15 bridges we will improve to be seismically resilient in the next few years! We have a long ways to go to ensure that all Oregon bridges are resilient, but the work has begun, and we are on our way!
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Speaking at the groundbreaking for repairs on Abernethy Bridge
UPCOMING TOWN HALL - AUGUST 20TH
STAY IN TOUCH
Get more information about my Legislative efforts, community events, and important news updates on my Facebook and Instagram pages. I love hearing from you and besides posting on Social Media, the fastest way to reach my office during the Interim is via email:
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Click on the icons to follow me on Facebook and Instagram!
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I-5 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT UPDATES
Recent Bridge Meeting Highlights:
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Community Advisory Group | On July 14, CAG met and discussed the Coast Guard permitting process and bridge height considerations, and feedback received from program partners regarding the Modified LPA recommendation. Group members shared their experience participating in a program area bus tour and expressed a desire for more tour opportunities in the future. IBR staff shared an overview of recent community engagement efforts at local fairs and festivals. Program Administrator Greg Johnson shared examples of IBR program work commitments related to design, equity, construction, finance, and more.
Equity Advisory Group | On July 18, EAG members shared their experience participating in a program area bus tour and attending a presentation by the Coalition of Communities of Color regarding U.S. census data. Staff from the Oregon Department of Transportation Toll Program shared their approach for developing an equitable toll system that aims to reduce the burden of tolls on low-income drivers. The EAG reviewed common elements of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), how the IBR Equity Framework will be incorporated into the process of developing a CBA for IBR, and next steps in the process. Group members expressed interest in discussing how a CBA can contribute to affordable housing, job pathways for equity priority communities, and a healthy culture of belonging for all workers. They also expressed a need for monitoring and accountability related to CBA implementation.
Executive Steering Group | On July 21, the ESG reached a unanimous recommendation to move the program’s Modified LPA into the federal environmental review process for further study. The group also discussed next steps in the process including development of additional design details, updates to the program’s conceptual finance plan, federal grant funding applications, and development of a CBA.
Bi-state Legislative Committee | On July 21, the BSLC discussed regional endorsement of the Modified LPA and provided their feedback and expectations as work moves into the next phase. Committee members expressed interest in reviewing an updated cost estimate and finance plan for the program, an update on tolling plans including efforts from the Oregon Toll Program, and additional analysis on freight and capacity issues.
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AROUND WESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY
Forest Grove Fire and Rescue joins Cornelius:
**From Forest Grove Fire and Rescue:
As of August 1st, we have started a joint program with Cornelius Fire Department - Oregon to increase staffing during the summer months. There will be two firefighters, one each from Forest Grove and Cornelius, staffing a Type 6 brush rig (pictured). This unit will be staffed utilizing members from our dedicated corps of volunteer firefighters that will supplement the current staffing plan of both departments.
We were able to accomplish this additional staffing from a grant provided by Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal. Forest Grove and Cornelius were two of 180 fire departments in Oregon to be award this grant. The goal of the grant is to bolster firefighting capacity within the Oregon fire service and the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System. With more resources on scene sooner, the likelihood of fires growing out of control is less.
Both departments were awarded $35,000 each to achieve this staffing increase. This brush rig will be staffed 10 hours a day, every day of the week until the end of October.
We are thankful to Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple for providing this significant grant to our communities.
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Downtown Forest Grove Task Force Starting
Do you want to engage with your community in a meaningful way?
Forest Grove invites you to participate in the Downtown Task Force launching this September. This task force will support the City as they join the Oregon Main Street Network with the purpose of preserving, enhancing, and revitalizing downtown Forest Grove. The task force will assist the City in defining program priorities, projects, and organizational structure.
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The Salsa Festival is Back August 10th!
Adelante Mujeres is bringing back SALSA FEST to the Forest Grove Farmers Market on Wednesday, August 10. They’ll have live music from @barriomestizopdx and a community salsa contest. Get ready to win the best salsa recipe by getting your produce this week at the market!
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Estamos emocionados de traer de vuelta SALSA FEST al mercado agrícola de Forest Grove el miércoles 10 de agosto. Tendremos música en vivo de @barriomestizopdx y un concurso comunitario de salsa. ¡Prepárate para ganar la mejor receta de salsa y compres tus ingredientes esta semana en el mercado!
Dance Workshops in Cornelius
Downtown resident artist, Karina, will deliver dance workshops to interested community members on August 13!.
Children's Workshop 12-2pm: An inclusive space for ages 5-12.. Kids will learn basic steps and a Sinaloa State song.
Adult Workshop 5-7pm: An inclusive space for queer latino/latinx adults who have always wanted to learn folk ballet, but have not found a space that is gender/queer inclusive. We will focus on folk history, queer folk history, and dance basic steps..
Register Today: bit.ly/3zSls21
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
Youth Rock Climbing Adventure
Get out and get moving! Join our Forest Grove Parks & Recreation Dept and Adventures Without Limits for a youth climbing adventure! Adventures Without Limits (AWL) is a non-profit with a mission to provide access to outdoor adventure for all people, regardless of their ability level, socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity or age.
What: Youth Rock Climbing Program
When: 8-15-22 8 am-4 pm
Who: Youth ages 10-14
Cost: $90 per person
No experience necessary!
For more information contact Adventure without Limits at 503-389-0580 or visit http://www.awloutdoors.org.
Between the oppressive heat and the beautiful bodies of water in our area, cooling off at a local watering hole sounds like a great idea! Just remember, safety first! Here are some important tips from The American Red Cross:
Use Layers of Protection In & Around Water
- Even if lifeguards are present, you (or another responsible adult) should stay with your children.
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Be a “water watcher” – provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising; avoid distractions including cell phones.
- Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
- Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Take specific precautions for the water environment you are in, such as:
- Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, including four-sided fencing that separates the water from the house.
- At the beach, always swim in a lifeguarded area.
Know the Risks & Take Sensible Precautions – Even If You’re a Strong Swimmer
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including certain prescription medications) before or while swimming, diving or supervising swimmers.
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating or fishing, even if you don’t intend to enter the water.
Ensure That the Entire Family Learns How to Swim
CURRENT COVID-19 INFO FOR BUSINESSES
Oregon mask guidelines:
Masks are not required for most indoor settings, but you still need to wear a mask in health care settings to keep everyone safe. Some businesses and schools may still choose to require masks. People may also choose to continue to wear well-fitting masks to protect themselves and others. Oregon’s full rule on masking, including a list of health care settings where masks are still required, is located here.
**To download mask signs for your business, visit the Oregon Health Authority's mask information page.
Quarantine requirements are lifted for most populations:
This means most people do not need to quarantine when exposed to someone with COVID-19. You still must stay away from others if you test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms after exposure.
COVID-19 UPDATES AND INFORMATION
COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Shelf-Life Extended
On Jul 8, 2022, the FDA granted another three-month shelf-life extension for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, which extended the shelf-life of all iHealth tests from 6 months to 12 months.
Please use this tool to check the most updated expiration date of your kit.
Where can I get a vaccine or booster in Washington County?
All of the major health systems are providing COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. You can use this CDC tool to figure out when to get your booster.
Washington County Vaccine Team: The team is in the community five days a week providing vaccinations at schools, shelters, and other locations. These are walk-in clinics. No appointment, ID, or insurance is required. This schedule lists public clinics only. We are now giving additional boosters at these clinics.
In-home vaccinations: Are you or a loved one unable to get to a vaccine clinic because of a disability or other physical or mental health barrier? See if you qualify for a free in-home vaccination by calling 503-846-8123, emailing us or filling out this form.
Tektronix: This is a walk-up clinic operated by Oregon Health Authority. It is located at 2540 SW Alan Blumlein Way (inside Building 58) in Beaverton. The clinic is open Thursday through Saturday from 12-7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Beaverton Resource Center: This clinic takes place every Friday inside the Beaverton Resource Center, 13565 SW Walker Road. Make an appointment at Project Access Now's website.
La Mixteca Oaxaca: This clinic is open every Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. It is operated by Oregon Health Authority and Vive NW. It is located at 1050 SE Walnut Street in Hillsboro. No appointments, ID, or health insurance required. Testing is also available at this site. Questions? Call the Vive NW hotline at 844-291-4970.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center: Vaccination and testing at the new Hillsboro 7th Avenue clinic (226 SE 7th Ave) is open to all community members. You don't have to be a Virginia Garcia patient. Testing is drive-thru and vaccination is walk-up. Hours are M-F, 9a.m. to 4 p.m. You will need an appointment. Find more information at VG's website.
Centro Cultural: This clinic is located at 1110 N Adair Street in Cornelius. It is open on the last Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. No appointment, ID, or health insurance is required. Find more information at Centro's website.
WILDFIRE UPDATES AND RESOURCES
Governor Brown Invokes the Emergency Conflagration Act in Response to the Miller Road/Dodge Fire
Miller Road/Dodge Fire is burning 1,000 acres in Wasco County
Governor Kate Brown yesterday invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Miller Road/Dodge Fire burning near the community of Juniper Flats in Wasco County. The fire sparked Tuesday afternoon and is burning grass, brush, and juniper; it is currently estimated to be 1,000 acres in size. The Wasco County Sheriff has issued Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation orders for homes near the fire.
Local and mutual aid resources are on scene working to slow the fire's progress, and a Lane County task force, which was pre-positioned in Deschutes County, is headed to the fire. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Blue Incident Management Team will assume command Wednesday morning and will work to bring in five additional task forces through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) from counties around Oregon to assist in the response. Additional responding agencies at this time include Juniper Flats Fire District, Klickatat County (Washington) Fire District, and Hood River Fire.
In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Brown determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The Governor's declaration cleared the way for the State Fire Marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire and further support a coordinated response.
Additional updates for the incident may be accessed at:
Information on wildfire prevention and preparedness may be accessed at:
**Click here for a map of all fire restrictions currently in place in Oregon
Washington County Burn Ban in Effect
Effective Immediately, July 25, 2022 at 7 a.m., all fire agencies within Washington County are under a High-Fire Danger Burn Ban, based on a recommendation made by the Washington County Fire Defense Board. Burning restrictions are authorized under Oregon Revised Statute 478.960 and Oregon Fire Code 307.
The burn ban prohibits all the following:
Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.).
Agricultural burning (agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, etc.).
Any other land clearing, slash, stump, waste, debris or controlled burning.
The burn ban does not prohibit:
Small outdoor cooking, warming or recreational fires. These include portable or permanent fire pits, fire tables, and campfires, with a maximum fuel area of three feet in diameter and two feet in height in a safe location away from combustibles or vegetation and are fully extinguished after use.
Barbeque grills, smokers and similar cooking appliances with clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels.
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
Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs:
Washington County Veterans Resources:
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 INFORMATION
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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