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Hello Friends and Neighbors, 

I hope you've all managed to stay warm and keep off the roads if possible. Last night was the second heaviest snowfall on record, making over 10 inches. Our highways were covered in slippery ice, causing many commuters to abandon their cars last night for a long walk or bike ride home. ODOT and PBOT were prepared for the snow but they were not anticipating an inch of snow falling each hour, a record-breaking incident. Our crews have been working round the clock since yesterday morning in preparation for and in response to this historic weather event. Right now, they are working to move vehicles, including big trucks, off the road. They are also working to clear downed trees off the highways and ensure downed power lines are fixed. Once the highways are free of trees and vehicles, they'll bring in their plows and graders to lift up the packed snow and ice, apply salt, and clear the roads.

According to the latest weather forecast, the snowfall in Washington County and Multnomah County will slow down tonight and melt overnight. Hopefully we will have sunny, snow-free days for the rest of this week! Luckily, none of our Wednesday committee meetings were affected and we were still able to tackle critical budget needs for education. Today, Floor Session and committee hearings were cancelled but I am still meeting with colleagues and partners who had safe routes to the building or joined on Zoom. 

In light of these severe weather conditions, please refer to our sections on "Public Health" and "Benefits & Support" to find driving tips, health advice and snow shelter resources. 

It is important that we all look out for each other so we can keep our community safe as the snow passes!

Snowy pictures of our Capitol building!

Snowiest day in Portland since 1943!

 WEEK SPOTLIGHTS

Surprise Visit by Congresswoman Hoyle!

Today, Congresswoman Val Hoyle stopped by my office to catch up. We talked a little about Transportation, replacing the I-5 Bridge and other important infrastructure projects. It's always a pleasure to meet with Val!

Future Farmers of America (FFA)!

Earlier this week, I briefly met with Grant Hills, Maddie Dollarhide and Brekken Richardson. They are state officers for the Future Farmers of America, which is a leadership program I greatly admire that provides mentorship for 15,000 members in high schools across our state. FFA is a three-legged organization that offers various opportunities to young people who are not following the traditional and direct path to college a chance to thrive, succeed and be educated in the agriculture industry.

FFA offers parliamentary procedures, speaking opportunities, hands-on learning and different agricultural pursuits, including soil conservation, soil identification, agricultural economy lessons, economic marketing, livestock projects, technology projects and projects on a wide variety of crops to incorporate into their employment sector. 

As a 5th-generation Oregonian and a member on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, Land Use and Water Committee, I will always support the FFA and all the essential work they do in empowering our future generations to make a difference in Oregon agriculture!

BILL UPDATES 

Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package Released!

Not even 40 days into session and we are off and running! I know affordable housing and homelessness are some of our most pressing issues, impacting my district and the entire state. This week we announced the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package. This is a major $200 million investment that will deliver bold and effective relief, connecting people experiencing homelessness with the resources they need, preventing more folks from becoming homeless, and building more affordable homes for our working families. I know Oregonians need relief now, so we’re making the unprecedented push to have this on the Governor’s desk by mid-March.

Here’s what this package achieves:

• Funds the Governor’s Homelessness State of Emergency: This $130 million investment funds the Governor’s emergency declaration and allows state agencies to unleash an urgent and coordinated response to address homelessness.
• Invests in rural and coastal communities: The homelessness crisis is impacting every corner of the state. Our plan invests $25 million in the Rural Oregon Continuum of Care so that the response on the ground reaches rural and coastal Oregon.
• Prevents evictions that can lead to homelessness: Our plan provides renters faced with eviction for non-payment with more time to access Rental Assistance and other services that will help them stay in their homes. A compromise between tenant advocates and landlords, the amended bill lengthens the eviction timeline to 10 days and includes a right of redemption.
• Provides critical support for homeless youth. Youth homelessness is the number one predictor of adult homelessness. Our plan invests $25 million in critical support to some of Oregon’s most vulnerable youth and families, connecting them with rental assistance, shelter facilities, outreach, culturally-specific services, mental health or substance abuse services, other transitional options, and more.
• Makes building affordable housing our #1 priority: After more than 50 years of deprioritizing housing production, the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package makes structural changes to Oregon’s land use system that place affordable housing as the number one priority for local governments, special districts, and state agencies.
• Ramps up the production of affordable modular housing made right here in Oregon. Our plan invests $20 million in the production of affordable modular homes using Oregon mass timber and other conventional materials to support our state’s homegrown industries and create good paying family wage jobs.
• Creates innovative financing models to build housing for middle class families. The Revolving Loan Fund ($3 million) supports local governments and developers in building affordable housing for middle class and working families, like teachers, construction and health care workers, and other family wage jobs.
• Improves on-site workforce housing for farmworkers. Responding to the needs of Oregon’s agricultural producers, the package provides grants ($5 million) for farmers to improve the health and safety conditions of existing on-site housing for farmworkers.

To read more the Housing Package, visit OLIS to track the bills:

HB 2001

HB 5019

HB 2710 to be heard in House Education Monday

On Monday, I will be testifying in support of House Bill 2710 in the House Committee on Education. The bill requires school districts to file information about allocations and expenditures of moneys received from State School Fund with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It also directs the Oregon Department of Education to make information describing allocations and expenditures of moneys available on the department's website. This bill will bring more transparency to the Education budget process and ensure that districts and the State are copacetic in understanding our investments and how we create the budget. I look forward to supporting Representative Valderrama as she works to pass this bill. To watch the testimony either live or afterwards, go here. 

House Concurrent Resolution 8 Celebrates Shelter Pets

Sponsored by Rep. Gomberg and Senator Sollman, HCR 8 will designate rescued shelter dogs and cats as Oregon's official state pets! The resolution passed the Senate this week, after passing the House previously, and now goes to the Governor to be signed. I spoke in support of the resolution when it came to the House Floor. I am a proud supporter of animal rescue and the volunteers who give countless hours to ensure rescue animals get the chance they deserve. 

AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY

Snow closures impacting Hillsboro and other areas, agencies in Washington County

SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES

Message from Forest Grove School District Superintendent Parker

Sequoia Art Gallery (sequoiagallerystudios.org)will hold its annual Hip 2B Square student and community art show in the month of April.

This very popular show features art that is either created or contained on a 12”x12” panel. These panels are offered free of charge to students in grades K-12.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Drive Slow

Temperatures Dropping

BENEFITS AND SUPPORT

Severe Weather Shelters

State to reopen Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund Program portal to new applications

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will resume accepting new applications for the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program on March 8, 2023. The agency estimates there are enough funds to support about 700 additional eligible homeowners. 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. 

The pause that began on Nov. 30, 2022, allowed OHCS to assess current applications in its queue, complete minor system maintenance and upgrades, and better project the amount of HAF funds remaining for homeowners. As an exception during the pause, the program has continued serving the most at-risk homeowners. OHCS is accepting new applications submitted by housing counselors on behalf of homeowners who are in a judicial action or have a verified foreclosure sale date.  

HAF will reopen with a focus on homeowners in active foreclosure and those traditionally underserved by mortgage markets. Homeowners can learn more about eligibility requirements and, if eligible, apply online starting March 8, 2023, at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.  

HAF funding is limited. The state is prioritizing Oregon households that are at the highest risk of foreclosure. Once the $72 million of funding available for homeowners is gone, the program will close. Even if homeowners are eligible, there is no guarantee their application will be funded. Other loss mitigation options depend on a homeowner’s mortgage and their servicer. Homeowners should evaluate all their options.  

Free help is available 

Homeowners can get free help from certified housing counselors around the state to learn about budgeting tools and evaluation of options to keep their homes, such as modifications, adding deferred payments to the end of a mortgage, or HAF. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated professionals who can help homeowners communicate with their mortgage servicers. 

Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county. Homeowners should be aware that some housing counseling agencies take longer to respond due to remote working policies.  

In addition to connecting with a certified housing counselor, Oregon homeowners should directly contact their mortgage servicers and lenders to see what types of mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention programs are available. Homeowners who communicate with their lenders and servicers have some additional protections and usually have more time to figure out their options. 

Avoiding fraud 

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recommends being extremely cautious with offers to help from unauthorized companies or people. Homeowners are urged not to provide financial or personal information unless they verify the company or person’s licensing status. It does not cost anything to apply for the HAF program or meet with an Oregon housing counselor. 

There are a number of common warning signs homeowners should watch out for that may indicate a scam. If a homeowner suspects they’re being contacted by a scammer, they can file a report with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Oregon Department of Justice, or the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General. 

To verify a lender’s license, visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s license page and compare it with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) license number. This number must be included on all advertising materials and should be easy to find. To verify a housing counseling agency’s status with the state, make sure they are listed on the OHCS website.  

WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES

OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:

• Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
• Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
• Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
• Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
• Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
• U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
• U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
• Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
• Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
• SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
• 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
• Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
• Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
• Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
• Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
• 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.

• How to Appeal a FEMA Disaster Assistance Decision
• Oregonians Affected by Wildfires: Flood Risk and Insurance; Fraud Awareness
• FEMA Rental Assistance May Be A Valuable Housing Solution for Oregon Wildfire Survivors
• Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements for FEMA Disaster Assistance
• What to Expect When Applying with FEMA
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Oregon Wildfire Survivors
• Look Out for Disaster Fraud, Scams
• Understanding a FEMA Determination Letter, How to Appeal
• FEMA Approves Direct Housing Mission
• Apply with FEMA Even if You Have Insurance

RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS

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.

• Unemployment options 
• Information about employer obligations and responsibilities from Oregon Labor and Industries
• Business Oregon's list of financial resources (including non-bank lenders) 
• Information about US Small Business Administration disaster assistance loans 
• The latest COVID-19/Coronavirus information on resources for workers and business owners  

Education Links

• Hillsboro School District (en inglés y español)
• Forest Grove School District (en inglés y español) 
• Oregon Department of Education
• COVID-19 Resources for Oregon Higher Education Partners

Local Government

• City of Hillsboro (en inglés, español y más idiomas) 
• City of Cornelius (en inglés, español y más idiomas)
• City of Forest Grove
• Washington County

Utilities Assistance

• Portland General Electric (en inglés y español) 
• NW Natural
• City of Hillsboro Utility Billing 
• Comcast 
• CenturyLink
• AT&T 

Food and Housing Assistance

• Community Action.org
• Oregon Food Bank
• Meals on Wheels

View from my house this morning!

Yours truly,

Representative Susan McLain
House District 29

email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-489, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain