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Hello Friends and Neighbors,
As you know, April is Earth Month, which means it's a time to celebrate our beautiful state and the nature all around us with our fellow community members. As a former metro councilor, a 5th generation Oregonian and an advocate for our climate, I am committed to ensuring that future generations can experience the same clean air and water that I was lucky enough to grow up with. I’ve been a proud supporter of strong environmental legislation throughout my time in office, and I will continue to support efforts to invest in our planet. There are a spectrum of ways for us to get inspired, take action and be a part of the movement towards solving the climate crisis. For more ideas and inspiration, I recommend visiting earthday.org.
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If you are looking for ways you can get involved in Earth Month action in our local communities, here are some ideas from the City of Hillsboro below to help:
- Discover how to care for the land in ways that benefit people, water, and wildlife by signing up for Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation's Spring Workshop.
- Engage with the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District by checking out their webinars.
- Reduce the use of chemicals in your yard and support the City of Hillsboro’s Bee City USA efforts.
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Scoop it up after your pets and place pet waste into the garbage.
- Use phosphate-free and biodegradable cleansers or just water.
- Clean-up your outdoor spills and report illegal dumping.
- Contact your local waste hauler for how to correctly dispose of common household hazardous waste products.
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Recycle or compost your trash.
- Support a local business and take your vehicle to a commercial car wash instead of washing it at your residence where car wash cleaning products can enter the public storm system.
See how the City of Hillsboro is working toward a more sustainable future by visiting their Sustainability webpage.
BILL UPDATES
Below picture of Ways and Means Subcommittee Members and Oregon Community College Representatives, who testified in our Budget Committee during Higher Education Week:
Oregon House Votes to Protect Patients from Medical Debt
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This week, the Oregon House took steps to protect Oregon patients from incurring medical debt. House Bill 3320 makes sure non-profit hospitals, who are tax-exempt, follow the law and offer free or discounted medical care to low-income patients who qualify. Their tax exempt status obligates them to offer what is known as “charity care.”
The New York Times reported last year that the Providence hospital system had trained staff to hound low-income patients for payments of bills that should have been covered through financial assistance.
House Bill 3320 achieves the following:
- Required Screenings for Eligibility: Non-profit hospitals would be required to screen patients who have bills of $500 or more to see if they are eligible for financial assistance.
- Financial Assistance Applied from the Start: For eligible patients, the amount of financial assistance would be applied before the patient receives a bill.
- Full Refunds for Eligible Patients Who Already Paid: Patients found eligible who have already paid, will receive a full refund.
- Accessible, Easy Financial Assistance: The legislation would also require that financial assistance applications and appeals processes are easily accessible online.
In 2019, the legislature passed House Bill 3076, which required Oregon’s non-profit hospitals to provide financial assistance to those, both insured and uninsured, who could not afford to pay their medical bills. Only one of Oregon’s 60 hospitals, OHSU, has provided full, fair, and consistent charity care since the bill was passed.
House Bill 3320 clarifies how this should be done through a more transparent process. The legislation is supported by OHSU, Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, Providence, SEIU and more.
House Bill 3320 passed 54-4 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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House Votes to Protect Tenants from Unfair Rental Practices
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This week, House Democrats voted to protect prospective renters from unfair rental practices by requiring landlords to return application fees when they fail to process background checks during screenings. House Bill 2680 increases transparency and clarifies current law that says landlords should return fees in these instances. Oregonians looking for housing can spend upwards of $200 on application fees.
The bill has four components that will help increase transparency and protect tenants:
- Notice of Rights: This would require the landlord to notify the applicant when they charge an application fee, under what circumstances and when it should be returned.
- Screening Confirmation: Landlords would need to provide confirmation of receipt to the applicant once the background check has been run.
- Fee Return Time Period: This would make sure landlords return the application fee within 30 days, or for up to 60 days if the application is being considered for other units.
- Accountability for Landlords: If an application fee that should be returned is not, this would increase the penalty from $150 to $250.
House Bill 2680 passed 38-20 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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ADVOCATE SPOTLIGHT
Building Resilience Coalition
Thursday's Building Resilience Coalition informational meeting with my Legislative Assistant, Gabby Mijalski-Fahim
Yesterday my staff met with the Building Resilience Coalition, which is made up of organizations like the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV), Oregon Environmental Council (OEC), Oregon Just Transition Alliance (OJTA), and Climate Solutions. I am proudly endorsed by environmental groups like these each election cycle, and I have always been a vocal supporter for their efforts. This Session, they are advocating for a holistic package that is composed of Senate Bills 868, 869, 870 and 871.
This ambitious Resilient, Efficient Buildings package works to drive down the cost of living for Oregon families through improved energy affordability, slash climate pollution from the second-largest source of emissions in Oregon, attract and leverage unprecedented federal investments into meaningful benefits for Oregon communities, workers, and local economies,
ensure schools and homes are safer and healthier for students, residents, and workers, create family-sustaining jobs for workers, including electricians, HVAC installers, carpenters, plumbers, and construction workers and protect public health by improving indoor air quality and resilience to climate hazards.
I believe Oregonians deserve healthy, affordable, resilient buildings, and there's no time like the present to tackle the urgent climate crisis.
AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY
Watch our Board Chair Kathryn Harrington's address to hear more about the county's efforts for the community this year
State of the County Address
Board Chair Kathryn Harrington’s 2023 State of the County address is up on YouTube! Learn about efforts to keep the community safe, strong and resilient, including work to end homelessness, maintain public health and support economic development.
Watch now: 2023 Washington County State of the County Address
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Last month was Developmental Disability Awareness Month, and it's important that we continue to raise awareness about inclusion and increase access to employment opportunities and services for all Oregonians.
Developmental Disabilities Resource Fair
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Washington County Developmental Disabilities will host a resource fair on Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Washington Street Conference Center, 102 SW Washington St in Hillsboro.
Learn more about providers and resources, including employment services, behavior services, recreational opportunities and more. Call 503-846-3132 for more information.
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Make your voice and our county's collective voice heard by registering to vote by next Tuesday!
Special District Election
The May 16th Special District Election is next month! The deadline for new voters to register is Tuesday, April 25th. Check or update your information and register online at Oregonvotes.gov. All registered Washington County voters can expect ballots to be mailed on April 26, 2023. More information at washcovotes.org
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INTERN CORNER
INTERN REFLECTION: HALFWAY THROUGH SESSION
BY Magali Cruz, Our 2023 Legislative Intern
Hi, my name is Magali Cruz and I am a Legislative Intern in Representative Susan McLain’s Office for this Legislative Session. During my time as an intern, I have had great experiences that make me learn more about our legislative process in Oregon. I’ve had the opportunity to connect my academic learning with my experiences learning at the Capitol, which makes me love the fantastic process of legislation. Before this internship, I was studying to get my major in International Studies and my minor in Politics & Government. However, I have now decided to change my minor in Politics & Government to a major.
As an intern in the Representative’s office, I've had the opportunity to learn more about the bill process, which is an extensive and important process. I’ve also observed and learned from the legislator's decisions. The most important part of this process is learning the needs and priorities of the community, especially in my district. I get to listen to committee meetings on different topics, Floor meetings, and different people's testimonies supporting and opposing proposed bills, which make me reflect on the different perspectives and needs of our state. Being an intern at the Capitol and in Representative McLain's office has provided me with the opportunity to acquire experience and learn about bills, issues, organizations, and government processes that are new to me.
SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES
Best wishes to both Jamalet and Monse in their future endeavors! We are proud of you for representing our city!
Jamalet Miranda Morales and Monse Martinez Vasquez: Liberty Rotary Students of the Month
Congratulations are in order for Jamalet Miranda Morales and Monse Martinez Vasquez from Liberty High School who are both Hillsboro Rotary Students of the Month. The students received their award certificates at the Hillsboro Airport. They brought a wonderful contingent of guests, including social studies teacher Ms. Awabedeh, Monse's mom, Erika Martinez, and fellow students Aaliyah Hernandez Lopez, Maritza Uc Interian, Esmeralda Sanchez, Asucena Gonzales, Litzy Parra, Jonathan Martinez, Andrea Ambrocio. Such a terrific show of support!
Monse has dedicated her time at Liberty to representing the Latino student body and bringing changes to their school. She has been able to represent her culture through leadership, MEChA, AVID, yearbook, and NHS. For her senior project she worked with the administration and other students to plan a Latin music dance for Liberty High School students. Monse's mother is a big inspiration for her, and she appreciates the risks her mom took to move to the U.S. and provide opportunities for her daughter. Monse plans to attend PSU and major in business marketing. She will work as an insurance agent and get her real estate license in pursuit of her business career.
Jamalet is one of the presidents of MEChA, and participates in AVID, CHICAS, and NHS. During her junior year she helped raise enough funds to feed over 600 families over the holidays. As president of MEChA she seen the creation of a Hispanic Heritage assembly, and they have held three fundraisers and supported the Latin Dance led by Monse. For inspiration, Jamalet, looks to her older sister and her parents, who have a work ethic that has always inspired her. Jamalet plans to attend OSU Honors College, majoring in mechanical engineering. She plans to become a race engineer, a passion instilled in her by her father.
Best wishes to both Jamalet and Monse in their future endeavors!
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BENEFITS AND SUPPORT
This is a new tool to help create transparency around the stimulus package for the public to access.
Washington County launches ARPA data dashboard
Washington County is proud to announce the launch of a public data dashboard on pandemic response and recovery programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To ensure transparency in ARPA investments, this dashboard was developed as a central location to track program outputs, spending, and other key metrics.
To view the dashboard tool, click here or visit the Washington County ARPA webpage www.washingtoncountyor.gov/arpa.
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PUBLIC HEALTH
New way to provide vaccination proof
Electronic Vaccine Card
Oregon’s My Electronic Vaccine Card (MEVC) gives you a digital record of COVID-19 vaccinations you’ve received in Oregon. After the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends May 11, people in Oregon will no longer be able to update their MEVC.
People will be able to use the digital card as proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations indefinitely, but OHA encourages people to update their cards before May 11 with any booster doses not shown on their MEVC.
Other ways to prove COVID-19 vaccination include the original white CDC record card (or photo of card) or your immunization record from your health care provider. You can also request your immunization record by contacting OHA’s ALERT Immunization Information System at 800-980-9431 or by emailing alertiis@state.or.us.
To learn more, visit myelectronicvaccinecard.oregon.gov
WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES
OEM has put together this list of contacts to help speed up the process of replacing these documents:
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Green cards: Phone (800)-375-5283; Website: www.uscis.gov
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Medicare cards: Phone: (800)-772-1213; (TTY) (800)-325-0778 Website: www.medicare.gov
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Military records Phone: 866-272-6272 Website: www.archives.gov/contact/
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Passport Phone: 877-487-2778; (TTY) 888-874-7793 Website: travel.state.gov
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Social Security card Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778 Website: www.ssa.gov
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U.S. Savings Bonds Phone: 844-284-2676 Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
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U.S. tax returns Phone: 800-829-1040 Website: www.irs.gov
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Birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, divorce certificates Phone: 888-896-4988 Website: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Birthdeathcertificates
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Driver’s license, auto titles and registration, ID cards Phone: 503-945-5000 Website: www.oregon.gov/odot
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SNAP (Oregon Trail Card) Website: www.oregon.gov/DHS/Assistance/Food-Benefits
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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
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Real estate and property - Contact your county government.
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Credit cards - Contact your credit card company directly.
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Credit reports from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion Phone: 877-322-8228 Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
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Insurance documents - Check with your insurance agent.
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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.
RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS
Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs:
Washington County Veterans Resources:
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.
Education Links
Local Government
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
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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
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