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Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Community Conversation #100!!
Join me for my 100th Community Conversation at Insomnia Coffee in downtown Hillsboro, on Saturday, December 3rd, from 10 to 11am. Bring your questions and share your thoughts or concerns. Then stick around to do some shopping in Downtown Hillsboro and support our local small businesses. Please bring NEW socks, gloves, hats and/or hand warmers for the Socks from Cops Project with Hillsboro Police Department. I look forward to seeing you there!
Hillsboro’s Superintendent Mike Scott is Retiring
When I heard the news of Mike Scott's retirement, I froze. Then my thoughts went to the incredible service he has given for so many years to the Hillsboro School District. My thoughts went to his vision and his efforts to grow our district to where it is today and the pride I felt. I had the good fortune to work with Mike when I was a school board member and even board chair for 2 years. I have never met a more morally-centered, thoughtful and dedicated human. Truly, he is one of my most favorite humans. He puts his family first and adores them. I love his stories. I appreciate his gentle heart. I often share his wise words that "every child is one caring adult away from success". His strong and compassionate leadership has helped countless kids succeed. I am sad for Mike to leave HSD, but also really respect this very difficult decision that Mike has made. I also know the foundational strength he has brought to HSD. He has helped so many grow in their careers and I think that says a lot about a leader. I wish Mike the very best in his next chapter.
Legislative Updates
Senate Democrats Elect Leadership Team ahead of 2023 Legislative Session
I'm so very excited and honored to have been selected by my colleagues as the incoming Senate Deputy Majority Leader. I'm so fortunate to serve with these wonderful humans. We may all come from different backgrounds, with different lived experience and different skillsets, but we all share the same values in public service.
 
Paid Family Leave is coming to Oregon in 2023!
Information provided by Paid Leave Oregon
Paid Leave Oregon is a new program that allows employees in Oregon to take paid time off for some of life’s most important moments. This program is funded by a trust fund and contributions are made by employees and employers through payroll taxes. Continue reading below to learn more about this program:
Starting January 1, 2023 Paid Leave Oregon becomes effective for contribution withholding, and for benefit eligibility on September 3, 2023.
What types of leave are available?
- Family Leave to care for a family member with serious illness or injury, as well as when a parent has a new child (after birth, adoption or foster care placement)
- Note–Family here is considered any person related by blood or whose relationship is like family
- Medical Leave for one’s own serious health condition
- Safe Leave for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment or stalking.
Who is eligible for Paid Leave?
- If you’re an employee who made at least $1,000 the year before applying for Paid Leave, and qualifies for benefits, you may be eligible.
- Whether you work full-time, parti-time or for more than one job or employer
- Individuals who are self-employed or independent contractors are not automatically covered, but can choose coverage. Find out if you are self-employed by looking at how it is defined. You can also find the definition of an independent contractor.
What are the benefits?
- You can take up to 12 weeks off from work in a year. In some pregnancy-related situations, you may be able to take up to two more weeks for a total of 14 weeks.
- You can take leave a week, or a single day at a time.
- While on leave, Paid Leave Oregon pays you a percent of your wages. The amount depends on how much you earn.
- Employers do not pay the employee while they’re away — all payments are made through Paid Leave Oregon.
- Your job is protected if you’ve been with your employer for more than 90 days.
How are benefits calculated?
- Paid Leave Oregon is paid for by employers and employees. Employers pay 40% and employees pay 60% of the contribution rate which is 1% for 2023.
- Employers with 25+ employees will start making contributions into the program on Jan. 1, 2023. Employers with less than 25 employees do not need to make contributions (but you will still need to collect and submit your employees’ share)
- If you’re an employee, starting January 1, 2023, you will have a small deduction from your paycheck (will not be more than 0.6% of gross wages).
- Amount is based on the employee’s average weekly wage (AWW) compared with the State average weekly wage. Low wage earners may receive 100% of their AWW. For 2023, the projected minimum weekly benefit is $61, and the maximum is $1,469.
Have any additional questions? Visit paidleave.oregon.gov to find out more.
Federal Updates
Student Loan Repayment Pause Has Been Extended
The Biden-Harris Administration announced that they will be extending the pause on federal student loan repayments to allow for the Supreme Court to rule in the case on the student debt relief program.
The pause will end no later than June 30,2023. Payments will resume 60 days after the pause ends.
Read more here.
Out and About in Senate District 15
VOICES Survivor Advisory Council
 As a board member of the Washington County Family Justice Center, I was honored to be invited to speak last night to their VOICES Survivor Advisory Council. I shared about legislation and funding that has passed over the last few years that positively impacts victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and shared about a bill I am bringing forward in the 2023 session that will allow a judge to consider incidents of domestic violence when awarding spousal support. The discussion around domestic violence has been tragically brought to the forefront of our community as we learned of the double homicide last week of two Hillsboro women. Yesterday, I sent out the below press release in response to this devastating news.
Stand For Children – Beat the Odds Luncheon
Stand for Children’s signature event was back in-person this year! Last week, we celebrated a new cohort of scholars and supported the work being done to improve opportunities for Oregon students.
Currently, Oregon ranks near the bottom nationally in third grade reading and that’s a big deal because children who aren’t proficient in reading by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
Yet research shows that when teachers receive mentoring to align their teaching strategies to the decade of brain research on how kids connect sounds to letters and letters to words and words to meaning, and when students receive the time and support they need in the classroom and through tutoring and summer learning opportunities, that all students can become readers by the end of third grade.
We can turn these results around in Oregon! Stand for Children is working on measures to turn these results around in Oregon!
During the luncheon a fantastic video was featured highlighting the CTE and Measure 98 investments the Hillsboro School District is doing. You can view the video here.
Hillsboro School District’s Big Picture School Visit
I had a great visit last week to Hillsboro's Big Picture School. Hillsboro Big Picture is a small, Options program for high school students in the Hillsboro School District. During my visit, students asked questions about gun violence prevention, LGBTQ+ rights supporting students and improving graduation rates, plastic reduction and compostable foodware. I love these opportunities. Thank you Ramona Toth for the invite.
PCC's Aircraft Inauguration Ceremony
Last Friday, Portland Community College held an inauguration ceremony at the Hillsboro Airport, for a decommissioned Bombardier Q400 that was gifted to them by Horizon Air. Thanks to the generosity of Horizon Air, the regional airline sister company to Alaska Airlines, the Port of Portland, students enrolled in Portland Community College's Aviation Maintenance Program will now have access to advanced hands-on learning opportunities that will help prepare them for careers in the aviation industry.
Community Outreach
Snow Much Fun
Shared from Hillsboro Parks and Rec Facebook
Join us for our first Snow Much Fun event on November 26 between 1 - 5 pm at Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station. This free, family-friendly winter wonderland will feature horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, crafts, youth vendors, a snowfall every hour, Entertainment and free hot chocolate. Reservations are recommended for horse-drawn wagon rides but are not required. Space is limited. Rolling reservations will open the Monday before this event on November 21. https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/.../festiv.../winter-events
2022 Forest Grove Tree Lighting Celebration
Join Forest Grove’s Chamber of Commerce and the Forest Grove Senior and Community Center this Friday, November 25th from 6:00-8:00 PM for the 2022 Tree Lighting Celebration! This event is free and open to all community members.
Lighting to commence at 6:15pm followed by a gathering indoors for refreshments and choral performances as well as a special appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
Location: 2037 Douglas Street Forest Grove, OR 97116
Winter Break Employment Opportunity for High School Students
Shared from Hillsboro School District Facebook
The City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation department is bringing an outdoor drive-through light display - called Lightopia - to Hillsboro Dec. 3-31 and are currently seeking individuals to join their event and operations team.
High school students ages 16 and older are welcome to apply. Salary is $15.05/hour for this part-time, limited duration opportunity.
Learn more in this flyer: https://bit.ly/3ENGt0q.
Oportunidad de empleo durante el receso de invierno para estudiantes de preparatoria
El Departamento de Parques y Recreación de la Ciudad de Hillsboro presentará del 3 al 31 de diciembre una exhibición de luces al aire libre llamada Lightopia y actualmente está buscando personal para unirse a su equipo de eventos y operaciones.
Los estudiantes de preparatoria mayores de 16 años pueden enviar su solicitud. El salario es de $15.05 por hora para esta oportunidad de tiempo parcial y duración limitada.
Obtengan más información en este volante: https://bit.ly/3ENGt0q.
Hillsboro Police Department Community Academy
Shared from Hillsboro Police Department Facebook
HPD Community Academy is coming in 2023! We are excited to bring this program back after a 2-year hiatus! Come learn about our agency, our people, and our mission in this 12-week program. It’s free, must be 18+. Apply now, seats are limited: Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/CommunityAcademy
Forest Grove High School Food Pantry Fundraiser
Mark your calendars! The Forest Grove High School Food Pantry is partnering with MOD pizza on December 8, 2022 for a fundraiser! A portion of pizza sales will be donated to the food pantry.
Location: 3424 Pacific Avenue Forest Grove, OR 97116
Socks From Cops
Shared from Hillsboro Police Department Facebook
With winter on the way, we’re once again collecting NEW socks, gloves, hats and hand warmers for the Socks from Cops Project. Donations go directly to helping those in need and can be dropped off at the Hillsboro Police Department through January 1.
 This week as we pause to celebrate all that we are grateful for with family and friends, I am thankful for the honor I have in serving Senate District 15. Thank you for allowing me to be your voice in the state, a responsibility I do not take on lightly. Oregonians face many challenges and I want you to know that my office is here to address your questions, ideas and concerns. My commitment to you is respectful representation to all in Senate District 15, those on the same side of an issue and those that are not. I wish you all a relaxing and joy-filled long weekend spent with loved ones and those you hold dear.
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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