|
Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
Senate Bill 543 has passed the Senate Floor!! Polystyrene is a threat to the health of our communities, our land and our bodies. This is a step towards a more sustainable and mindful approach to consumption and a commitment to preserving the health, beauty, and diversity of Oregon for generations to come!
Read the press release here.
Senate Bill 4 has passed out of House this week. which means the bill now heads to Governor's desk for signature! I am so proud of the work we have done to make this come to fruition. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will empower Oregon to retain our place as a global leader of innovation and make us a key part of securing the semiconductor supply chain.
Senate Bill 4 floor carry - Oregon CHIPS
Read the Speaker of the House's press release here
CHIPS in the News:
This Week's Testimony and Floor Speeches
In the News
‘Right to repair’ bill advances in Oregon Legislature, Think Out Loud - OPB
We should have the right to repair our stuff, Portland Tribune
Bill to ban plastic foam food containers clears Oregon Senate, heads to state House, OPB.org
Week 12 Committee Snaps
Joint Committee On Semiconductors
Over the last two weeks, the Research & Development Tax Credit Workgroup met to put together a proposal for the Joint Committee on Semiconductor's. They presented their findings and discussions to the committee Wednesday evening.
Discussions regarding the R&D Tax Credit will continue next week. In the meantime, if you're interested in taking a look at the vehicle for this piece of legislation the associated bill number will be SB 5. You can read the bill by clicking here
The Committee will meet on April 12th and 19th for Public Hearings on SB 5. A Work Session is scheduled for April 26th. SB 5 will then move to the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures for consideration.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Visits Oregon
This week, I had the honor of joining Governor Kotek, Senator Ron Wyden, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici at Portland Community College's Willow Creek campus to welcome U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
The Secretary of Commerce had the opportunity to speak with high school and college students who are set to join the semiconductor workforce and saw first-hand what Oregon has to offer! We heard from students in Portland Community College's Microtechnology Program and Forest Grove High School's Mechatronics Program. A representative from our skilled labor workforce was also at the table to share what their experience brings to Oregon as they build this amazing industry ecosystem.
During her trip, Secretary Raimondo called our state "exceptional" and applauded us for the work we’ve done, and the work we will continue to do to grow this industry while uplifting our communities at the same time. She is looking forward to seeing the applications that come from our state, and thinks Oregon will be extremely competitive.
Sec. Raimondo's visit to PCC Willow Creek in the news:
-From Centro Cultural-
Paid Semiconductor Training
Learn the skills you need for a fast track to employment with Intel and other semiconductor manufacturers- in just 10 days! Training is provided by PCC at Willow Creek Opportunity Center. Participants will receive a $500 training stipend per week. Entry-level positions start at $18-24 per hour. A high school diploma or GED is required. Join an informational session on April 18 at 10am, or May 4 at 6pm at our economic development center, Centro de Prosperidad. Please register by calling us at 503-336-9895 or send an email to prosperidad@centrocultural.org.
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
A public hearing and work session was held on the following bills:
-
HB 3160A: Modifies period of suspension of proposed utility rate or schedule of rates pending investigation and determination from initial six-month period plus additional three-month period to single nine-month period.
-
HB 3161: Removes requirement that electric company file separate implementation plan for meeting requirements of renewable portfolio standard.
-
SB 488: Requires municipal solid waste incinerator that accepts more than specified amounts of hospital, medical or infectious waste in calendar year to meet federal emissions limits for hospital, medical or infectious waste incinerator.
-
SB 522: Changes name of "Oregon Global Warming Commission" to "Oregon Climate Action Commission." Modifies membership and duties of commission.
-
SB 542: Requires original equipment manufacturer to make available to owner of consumer electronic equipment or independent repair provider on fair and reasonable terms any documentation, tool, part or other device or implement that original equipment manufacturer makes available to authorized repair provider for purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing consumer electronic equipment.
-
SB 803: Establishes standard for carbon intensity and other characteristics of diesel fuel used in on-road motor vehicles.
-
SB 868: Requires Department of Consumer and Business Services to study how to build resiliency into buildings
-
SB 869: Requires Department of Consumer and Business Services to study how to build efficiency into buildings.
-
SB 870: Requires Department of Consumer and Business Services to study how to build resiliency and efficiency into buildings.
-
SB 871: Requires Department of Consumer and Business Services to study how to build efficiency and resiliency into buildings.
Senate Committee on Housing and Development
Public hearings were heard on the following bills:
-
SB 406: Requires certain cities in Tillamook County to allow middle housing on residentially zoned lands, to adopt housing production strategies and to accommodate estimated housing needs upon lands inventoried as buildable lands.
Work Sessions were held on:
-
SB 611: Increases amount residential landlord owes tenant for landlord-cause termination of tenancy.
-
SB 847: Freezes tax assessed value for certain new residential construction for five property tax years.
-
SB 861: Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants to promote innovative and cost-effective housing types.
-
SB 918: Requires Housing and Community Services Department to study housing.
-
SB 1069: Allows residential landlord and tenant to agree to provide written notices by electronic messages and allow landlord to refund moneys by electronic means.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety
An informational meeting was held on HB 5017: Oregon Department of Emergency Management
A public hearing was heard on HB 5017: Oregon Department of Emergency Management
A work session was held on HB 2005 A: Relating to firearms - ADDED
Ways and Means Roadshow
 Oregon is setting its state budget for the next two years right now. That means decisions are being made over the next three months that will impact you and your neighbors by impacting everything from local schools, to food assistance programs such as SNAP, to health insurance like the Oregon Health Plan and so much more.
Don’t you think you should have a say in those decisions? I sure want you to.That’s why I’m very hopeful that you will show up to the Ways and Means Roadshow stop near you. I sit on the state’s budget committee (called the Ways and Means Committee) and we want to ensure public input in the process. So throughout April we will be stopping in Portland, Newport, Roseburg, and Ontario, plus offering a statewide virtual testimony opportunity in May which you can access through a cell phone or computer near you. Check out the full list of locations, dates and times, and sign up links below!
Hearing Dates and Sign Up Links:
- Saturday, April 8 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) - Portland
Location: Portland Community College - PAC Auditorium, Sylvania Campus
12000 SW 49th Ave, Portland, OR 97219
Sign Up to Testify Here!
- Friday, April 14 (5:00 - 7:00 pm) - Newport
Location: Newport Performing Arts Center
777 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365
Sign Up to Testify Here!
- Friday, April 21 (5:00 - 7:00 pm) – Roseburg
Location: Umpqua Community College
1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg, OR 9747
Sign Up to Testify Here!
- Friday, April 28 (5:00 - 7:00 pm) - Ontario
Location: Four Rivers Cultural Center
676 SW 5th Ave, Ontario, OR 97914
Note: Ontario, Oregon is in the Mountain Time Zone
Sign Up to Testify Here!
- Wednesday, May 3 (5:00 - 7:00 pm) - Statewide Virtual Testimony Opportunity
Location: Virtual/Remote Testimony accepted
Hearing Room F
Oregon State Capitol
900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Sign Up to Testify Here!
Week 12 - Oregon State Capitol Visits to #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol Office)
 (Clockwise from right to left: Washington County Behavioral Health Resource Network Providers; Heidi Edwards - Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District Board of Director and Kylie Grunow; Director Joel Iboa - Oregon Just Transition Alliance; Carolyn Kahout - SEIU; Charlie Plybon and Celeste Meiffren-Swango)
Community Outreach
-From Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici's Newsletter-
 RSVP: Webinar on Tax Credits and Rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act with Congresswoman Bonamici
Join Congresswoman Bonamici for a webinar on Wednesday, April 12 to learn about how to save money on home energy costs using tax benefits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. The webinar will be joined by a tax expert, Brian Wozniak of IRS Legislative Affairs, who will also be providing information and answering your questions.
4-5:00 p.m.,PT, Wednesday April 12, 2023
Participate by Zoom or telephone
RSVP HERE: Bonamici.House.Gov/RSVP
Last year Congresswoman Bonamici helped pass the historic Inflation Reduction Act, which provides $9 billion in consumer home energy rebate programs. These programs are designed to help low- and middle-income consumers electrify their home appliances and make energy-efficient retrofits.
This includes:
1. Consumer tax credits for heat pumps, rooftop solar, electric HVA and water heaters
2. $1 billion grant program to make affordable housing more energy efficient
3. $4,000 consumer tax credit for lower/middle income individuals to buy used electric vehicles, and up to $7,500 tax credit to buy new electric vehicles
The Inflation Reduction Act is a victory for Oregonians and Americans. It will lower energy costs, create quality jobs, and take meaningful action in the fight to protect our planet. You can view a comprehensive guide to the energy efficiency benefits available to consumers on my website: https://bonamici.house.gov/issues/new-climate-bill-savings
This webinar is designed to be a useful resource that will clarify how the Inflation Reduction Act can help you and your family. They will take live and pre-submitted questions. You can submit your questions when you RSVP.
-From Hillsboro School Foundation-
 HSF’s Innovative Grant Cycle is OPEN!!
Click HERE to apply. Applications are due by 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 11.
The scoring rubric HSF uses can be found HERE.
Please contact Aron Carleson, Executive Director, at aronc@wcchamber.org with any questions.
Good Luck!!
HSF supports projects that put the tools of exploration, imagination and self-expression directly in students’ hands, providing them with opportunities they would not otherwise have under normal school funding.
Our application process is simple, fair and open to all Hillsboro teachers, administrators, staff, and volunteer parent school groups for programs that enhance student achievement both inside and outside the classroom. We evaluate and select proposals based on student engagement and achievement, innovative instructional methods and tools, and sustainable, measurable results.
Please Consider Applying!!
Intern Corner
Toshiko Yuasa
Toshiko Yuasa, who is often referred to as the Marie Curie of Japan, was Japan’s first female physicist. Born in Tokyo in 1909, she attended what is now Ochanomizu University and then went on to study physics at the University of Tsukuba. After her graduation, she began teaching in Japan, but due to the difficult research conditions during World War II, she moved to France. There, she studied radioactivity and earned her Ph.D. under Frédéric Joliot-Curie, who was the son-in-law of Marie Curie. Due to war conditions, Yuasa was forced to leave France in 1944 and then continued studying in Berlin where she developed her own beta-ray spectrometer. She was forced out of Berlin and went back to Tokyo a year later. Several years later, Yuasa returned to France and became a chief researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, which is one of the largest scientific agencies in Europe. - Mari Park
|
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Casa Qui - Adelante Mujeres
For many years Adelante Mujeres has provided holistic education and empowerment opportunities to marginalized Latina women and families. One of the Programs’ named Casa Qui is a retail business Incubator - part of the Empresas Small Business Development Program at Adelante Mujeres and born from the need to provide market entry to small business owner at an affordable price. Casa Qui is next to the Adelante Mujeres office in Forest Grove and displays multiple vendors products. Below you will find a brief description of their current vendors and what their businesses' have to offer:
-
Huitzil Imports (Owned by Ximena) - Huitzil Imports carries thoughtfully sourced merchandise from various parts of Mexico. Ximena’s goal is to offer products that are good for your well-being to reduce stress and anxiety. You can find an array of dry, natural herbs including copal (tree resin), lavender…used by her ancestors to cleanse the soul. As well as natural soaps and other eco-friendly everyday products.
-
Viva La Cactus (Owned by Irma) - Irma specializes in cacti and succulent arrangements in clever, stylish pots. With an eye for creativity and design, you can find a wide variety of desert plants of all sizes. She also imports textiles and accessories from her home country of Guatemala.
If you haven’t already done so, feel free to stop by and support our local businesses.
Casa Qui is open Thursday - Saturday 11AM to 7PM and is located on 2030 Main St suite b, Forest Grove, OR 97116.
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
| 
