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Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
Bill Updates - SB 538 and HCR 8 Have Passed!
- This week SB 538 passed the Senate Floor and moves on to the House and will be championed by Rep David Gomberg. This bill will allow state agencies to pass along credit and bank card fees to consumers. Our state agencies pay millions of dollars each year in fees for card usage and that is passed along to all Oregon taxpayers. Many nonprofit organizations and local government entities, like Washington County, have already begun to pass bank fees on to their consumer. Oregonians deserve transparency, accountability, and trust that their government officials are watching their bottom line of our state budgets.
- Also passed this week was HCR 8. This resolution designates rescued shelter dogs and cats as Oregon's official state pet and will help raise public awareness for shelter animals and the many shelters around the state of Oregon. Personally, my family has welcomed three rescue (though the question is always….who rescued who) pets over the years- Snoopy, Kado and Annie. Now, fur-babies everywhere will love the support and awareness this resolution creates in helping them find their fur-ever home and saving Oregon taxpayer dollars. HCR 8 has now passed both the House and Senate and is on its way to the Governor for her signature.
This Week's Testimonies and Floor Speeches
March Economic and Revenue Forecast
On Wednesday, the quarterly Economic and Revenue Forecast was released. You can watch the presentation back here. We still need to proceed with caution, but every community in Oregon is in a strong position for growth and we will work to make sure every Oregonian benefits from that growth. Our state is in a stronger position than anticipated because Oregon workers and businesses are delivering. Inflation is slowing, employment is up, income is up, and the likelihood of a slow growth or soft landing situation is increasing. We are not out of the woods yet and we must continue to responsibly manage Oregonians’ hard-earned tax dollars. While in the past, recoveries from economic disruptions like what we experienced during COVID-19 pandemic have made inequality worse, early signs indicate that all of Oregon’s communities are bouncing back at a relatively even pace, including rural communities and communities of color. Every Oregonian needs to see and feel the benefits of our economy. We need to:
- Make sure our schools and teachers have resources to educate Oregon’s next generation of leaders.
- Build more housing and address homelessness.
- Support local businesses and jump start new, good-paying jobs.
March Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation
March Revenue Forecast Summary
Oregon Child Care Capacity Building Fund
Shared from Child Care for Oregon
Oregon Child Care Capacity Building Fund is a program that opened for priority child care providers and community-based organizations who are eligible to apply in Phase 1 on February 6th. You can visit the website here. The new grants are part of a $22 million fund created by the Oregon State Legislature to make sure more families have access to the child care they need. This grant funding is an important investment to help build back the child care supply needed for Oregon’s economic recovery.
If you’re a child care provider or a community-based organization that works with child care providers, learn more about the grant and application phases today!
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Week 6 Committee Snaps
Joint Committee on Semiconductors
This week, the Joint Committee On Semiconductors held an informational hearing on Senate Bill 4. The bill directs the Oregon Business Development Department to develop a program to award grants and forgivable loans using the Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing Opportunity Fund. This is a new fund that will help Oregon and businesses leverage this once-in-a-generation, but we need to act quickly. The U.S. Department of Commerce will soon begin to accept applications for CHIPS Act funding, and Oregon will need to pass this bill to solidify our place as a global leader in the Semiconductor industry.
SB 4 would provide the necessary "covered incentives" to companies, paving the way for them to access billions in federal dollars. The bill contains strong reporting and oversight requirements for the grants and forgivable loans to protect hard-earned tax dollars and ensure Oregonians get their money's worth. It also provides Governor Kotek the authority to rezone certain land to industrial land to maintain Oregon's competitiveness and to attract new businesses. This bipartisan bill will make our state more prosperous and secure for years to come.
The Joint Committee on Semiconductors is still taking feedback on SB 4. If you would like to voice your support, comments, or concerns, you can do so by registering to testify to the committee, or by submitting written testimony on the bill's OLIS page linked in the first paragraph above. If you're interested in viewing the committee's last hearing, you can do so by clicking this link.
The Joint Committee On Semiconductors meets every Monday and Wednesday from 5:00PM to 6:30PM.
 Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Informational Meeting:
Public hearings were heard on the following bills:
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SB 522: Changes name of "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to "Oregon Climate Action Commission." Modifies membership and duties of commission.
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SB 852: Directs State Department of Energy to establish program to provide assistance related to energy projects and activities to environmental justice communities.
Senate Committee on Housing and Development
Public hearings were heard on the following bills:
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SB 46: Requires Housing and Community Services Department to provide sample plans and grants for senior cottages.
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SB 67: Creates income tax credit for lost rental income of landlord, forgone due to prohibition on evictions and rent nonpayment actions during COVID-19 emergency period.
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SB 894: Authorizes issuance of bonds under Article XI-Q of Oregon Constitution to support use of Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center as regional emergency and evacuee center.
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SB 898: Requires reseller that purchases residential property for subsequent resale to provide buyer with supplemental property disclosure statement concerning improvements to residential real estate and related information.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety
Informational Meeting:
Week 6 - Oregon State Capitol Visits to #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
 Former State Rep and Oregon State Fair and Expo Center Board Member, Vicki Berger, Project Never Again Founder, Seema Steffany and supporters of SB 548, Oregon Substitute Teachers Association, High school intern, Mari Park
Housing and Community Updates
 Oregon Housing and Community Services will reopen the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program on March 8, 2023. The program offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief intended to support homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardships due to the pandemic. It provides funding for past-due mortgages and other housing expenses, as well as ongoing payment assistance, to a limited number of homeowners with low to moderate incomes.
Until the portal reopens, homeowners who have received foreclosure sale notices can still apply through their local housing counseling center. Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county.
More information is available in the press release here.
Tax Season Assistance
Tax season is underway at the Department of Revenue. For faster service and potential refunds, we encourage taxpayers to file electronically. Helpful resources are available on our webpage including an interactive map showing locations for free tax help and access to free file tax preparation software.
By filing a tax return low- to moderate-income Oregonians can claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other state and federal refundable tax credits.
The EITC is available for people making less than $59,187 in 2022. Families may be eligible for a maximum EITC benefit of $6935 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon Earned Income Credit of $807 on their state tax return. Certain taxpayers without children may also be eligible for these credits.
Individuals may qualify for the EITC and the Oregon EIC even if they are not required to file. To receive the refundable credits, however, they must file a federal and state tax return.
More information about EITC, Oregon EIC, and other refundable credits is available on the Tax benefits for families page of the Department of Revenue website.
Intern Corner
United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference - USHLI
I would like to give a huge thank you to Mario Magaña Oregon 4-H State Specialist for helping me be part of this unique conference.
I have not seen anything much empowering and inclusive than the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference held in Chicago. Throughout the conference, I met dozens of inspiring leaders (congressional representatives, cooperate leaders and senators) across the U.S. that shared the same background, experiences and skin color as me. In addtition, there were interactive workshops and forums that delivered a unique approach to growing within myself and how I can better help those around me.
It is important to emphasize that every individual has the potential to be whom they inspire to be and to not forget where you come from
Juan David Alonso-Leon
In the News
Community Outreach
St. Patrick's Day Celebration Benefitting Family Justice Center of Washington County
 Additional Resources
What’s happening around town in Senate District 15? – Event Calendars
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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