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Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Lunch and Learn Event
Out and About in Senate District 15
Tour of Willamette Water Supply Program
Last week, I toured one of the sites of Tualatin Valley Water District's Willamette Water Supply Program (WWSP). The WWSP is a $1.6 billion resilient infrastructure project that will modernize and protect water supply for more than 350,000 residential, commercial, and industrial water users in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Tualatin Valley Water District service areas. The WWSP, which was started more than a decade ago, will intake water from the Willamette River at Wilsonville and treat it at a new state-of-the-art water filtration plant in Sherwood, is critical to the stability of water supply in the broader metropolitan area. In addition to providing abundant, reliable water services, the new seismically resilient water delivery system will also provide badly needed protection against impacts of a future Cascadia earthquake.
Hillsboro School District Career and College Pathways
On Friday, I participated in Hillsboro School District's Career Technical Education Partner Meeting. As a member of HSD's Career and College Pathways Steering Committee, it was great to be a part of the discussion. Seeing apprenticeships and career technical education come to fruition is a passion of mine, and I will continue to support these efforts.
North Plains Elephant Garlic Festival Parade
FunStinks! This weekend, North Plains celebrated their 24th Annual Elephant Garlic Festival and I had such a fun time seeing all of my friends there. I am sad that next year, North Plains will move into Senate District 16, but I am glad for all of the times I have been able to celebrate with them.
Community Health Fair in Hillsboro
Saturday was the 7th Annual Community Health Fair in Hillsboro. Neighborhood Health Center's (NHC) Community Health Fair is a free public event is sponsored by CareOregon and held in partnership with Kaiser Permanente Thrive and Medical Teams International in celebration of National Health Center Week (August 7-13). It is an annual celebration aimed at raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades.
"We believe everyone has the right to good health – but we all don't have the same starting point or the same opportunities to access it. At NHC, we serve over 20,000 patients in the Portland metro area – nearly 60% of whom live below the federal poverty level. We provide patient-centered care at NHC, and we know our neighbors can't be healthy if they don't have access to things like transportation, housing, and healthy food."
I agree! I also believe that health care is a right and should not be a privilege. This was a great event! Thank you for the invitation.
Environmental Updates
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $1.6 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Nearly Double the Number of Clean Transit Buses on America's Roads
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law increases funding for low- and no- emission bus grants six-fold and includes worker training on zero-emission buses
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration announced $1.66 billion in grants to transit agencies, territories, and states across the country to invest in 150 bus fleets and facilities. Funded by the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, more than 1,100 of those vehicles will use zero-emissions technology, which reduces air pollution and helps meet the President's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This year's funding alone will nearly double the number of no-emission transit buses on America's roadways. For the first time, five percent of low- and no-emission bus funding will be used to train transit workers on how to maintain and operate new clean bus technology.
“With today's awards, we're helping communities across America – in cities, suburbs, and rural areas alike – purchase more than 1,800 new buses, and most of them are zero-emission," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Funded through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this announcement means more good jobs for people across the country, cleaner air in our communities, and more affordable and reliable options to help people get to where they need to go."
The bus grant awards – made under FTA's Buses and Bus Facilities and Low- and No-Emission Vehicle programs – are FTA's first competitive grant selections under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The programs support the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to expand our nation's transportation infrastructure, create and maintain good-paying jobs, and fight climate change.
"When a transit door opens, whether it is a bus, train, or ferry, it is a great equalizer for everyone in our nation," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "With this tremendous amount of funding, the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gives more Americans access to the opportunities that transit creates, more often, in more places. These investments also help us meet our goals of cutting transportation emissions, creating good-paying American manufacturing jobs, and helping America's transit workers prepare for new vehicle technology."
FTA's Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program makes funding available to help transit agencies buy or lease U.S.-built low- or no-emission vehicles, including related equipment or facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5.5 billion over five years for the Low-No Program – more than six times greater than the previous five years of funding. For Fiscal Year 2022, approximately $1.17 billion was available for grants under this program.
FTA's Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program supports transit agencies in buying and rehabilitating buses and vans and building bus maintenance facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides nearly $2 billion over five years for the program. For Fiscal Year 2022, approximately $550 million for grants was available under this program.
**Find a link to all projects here, including 6 projects that Oregon has been awarded funds for!
Community Outreach
Resources to Beat the Heat
Temperatures are expected to be high again this week. Here are resources from Washington County with cooling center locations and tips for staying cool.
Places to Get Cool
Please check on your neighbors, especially older adults and anyone who might have a health condition that could put them at higher risk for heat-related illness. If you are worried about a friend, family member or neighbor you can't get in touch with, you can call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 to request a welfare check.
Stay cool indoors
- Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
- Drink plenty of fluids (water is best), even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Close your blinds and curtains to keep sunlight out.
- If the temperature falls at night, open your windows to let the cool air in (if it is safe to do so).
- Use fans but do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device when it is very hot. Instead, mist yourself with a spray bottle, and then use the fan to get the cooling benefits of evaporation.
- Do not use your oven or do laundry on very hot days.
- Eat small, light meals.
If you go outside
- Drink plenty of fluids. Choose Gatorade or another sports drink if you are sweating a lot.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Use sunscreen.
- Exercise in the early morning when it tends to be cooler.
- Avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.
- Never leave children or pets in cars. Read more about keeping pets safe in hot weather.
- Get a baby pool or play in a sprinkler. Visit a local sprayground or fountain.
If you choose to swim or recreate in a local river or lake, be sure to wear a personal flotation device (life jacket) and take other safety precautions. More information on Red Cross page.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
When your body can't cool itself quickly enough, it can cause heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. If you see someone with signs of overheating, move them to a cooler location, have them rest for a few minutes and give them a cool beverage to drink slowly. Get medical attention for them immediately if they do not feel better or if they are throwing up.
Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can cause death or permanent disability unless treated immediately. Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
- Red, hot, dry skin
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Nausea, confusion and unconsciousness
For more information, visit CDC’s website.
Cornelius Public Library - Special Library Events This Week!
Special Events this week at the Cornelius Public Library. Visit here for more information.
Beach and Riverside Cleanup with Solve
From SolveOregon.org
On Saturday, September 17th, join SOLVE in our statewide event, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery!
Throughout the state, we will be supporting beach and inland cleanups, and habitat restoration projects during this event. Sign up for a project near you and feel good knowing you're a part of a collective effort to take care of Oregon.
Sign up and find more information here.
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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