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Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Community Conversation
Join me, Sunday, April 30th, for a Community Conversation at Ava Roasteria - Orenco. We will meet at 936 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro, OR 97124 from 10:00-11:00am. Bring your questions and share your thoughts. I look forward to seeing you there.
Legislative Updates
This Week's Testimony and Floor Speeches
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- Senator Soliman introduces HCR 11 to committee
- Sen. Sollman gives courtesies for volunteer appreciation week
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Week 14 Committee Snaps
Joint Committee On Semiconductors
This week, the Joint Committee on Semiconductors reconvened and held a public hearing for SB 5.
Drafted language and potential amendmends will be up for discussion at next week's meeting.In the meantime, if you're interested in viewing our past hearing on this topic you can do so by visiting this link. If you’re interested in staying up to date with the bill as the legislative session continues I encourage you to e-subscribe to it using this link and clicking on the “e-subscribe” hyperlink located on the upper right-hand corner. Once subscribed, you will be sent email updates when it is scheduled for a public hearing, a committee vote, or a vote of the full House or Senate.
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
A public hearing was held on the following bills:
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HB 3220 A: Modifies provisions of electronics recycling program.
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HB 3273 A: Repeals Department of Environmental Quality's dry cleaner environmental program.
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HB 2530 A: Relating to development of a state renewable hydrogen economy
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HB 2531: Prohibits sale or distribution in this state of new screw- or bayonet-base type compact fluorescent lamps on or after January 1, 2024
An information hearing was held for an update on Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582, 2021) and Other Product Stewardship Programs. If you're interested in listening to this hearing please click here.
An Information hearing was also held on Proposed State Energy Strategy (HB 2535, 2023).If you're interested in listening to this hearing please click here.
Senate Committee on Housing and Development
A public hearing was held on the following bills:
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HB 2634 A: Defines "recreational vehicle park" for the purposes of residential tenancy law.
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HB 3042 A: Limits terminations and rent increases for three years after tenants' housing is withdrawn from publicly supported housing.
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety
An informational hearing and public hearing was held on SB 5532: Public Defense Services Commission.
In the News
KATU: Oregon Senate extends restraining order protections for abuse survivors
KEZI: Oregon Senate votes to extend restraining order protections
OPB: Oregon Democrats propose constitutional amendment on abortion, same-sex marriage, gender-affirming care
Listen. Learn. Act.
Ways & Means Roadshow #2 - Newport, OR
Sincere funding requests we heard loud & clear (no specific order): K-12 full 10.3 billion, childcare $'s, marine reserve funding, water treatment $, homeless resource $'s, docks/pier repair, arts & culture $'s, school gardens, higher ed $'s, workforce housing, Opportunity Grant $, support for hearing impaired, DSP wages, pre-trial investments, specialty courts, food insecurity, OSU marine research, marine educ grants, legal aid $'s, broadband for libraries, after school/summer programs, CASA $'s, Relief Nursery $'s.
Next Up - Roseburg, OR!
Tune in tonight to listen in on the Joint Ways and Means Committee Roadshow hearing in Roseburg, OR. If you're interested in watching the hearing click here. The hearing is schedule from 5:00PM - 7:00PM.
Week 14 - Oregon State Capitol Visits to #S-207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol Office)
 (From Left to Right Clockwise) - Saraswathi Tummuru (PSU Student & Volunteer at Kaiser Westside Medical Center), Carolyn J Ortman (runs the volunteer program at Kaiser Permanente), Saraswathi's Mom, Kim Strelchun and Kristie Ridel (Arts for Learning NW), Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Kathleen Proctor and Rob Harris
Senate Joint Resolution 33 - Press Release:
 
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Biscuitology
Located on 2004 Main St #110, Forest Grove, OR 97116
When walking around the Pacific University campus in Forest Grove, don't forget to stop by Biscuitology for a bite! The shop is a biscuit centric southern country style café. They offer flavorful twists on the American breakfast classics with their "crazy compound butters and edgy biscuit sandwich combinations". It is owned and operated by siblings Christie Blake and Stephen Corley. The restaurant offers delicious breakfast/brunch meals for everyone in the family to enjoy and offers vegetarian and gluten free options as well. You can access the full menu and their store hours at the link here! So whether you're doing a college tour, or you're looking for a delicious Sunday delight, Biscuitology is the way to go.
Community Engagement and Upcoming Events
2023 Oregon IDA Tax Credits are Now Available!
 The Oregon IDA Initiative brings state resources to support financial stability and wealth building among Oregonians with lower incomes, working to ensure an equitable and statewide impact in communities historically and systemically excluded from economic opportunities.
With your help, we can ensure that every Oregonian finds the safety of a home, the promise of education, or the opportunity to see their business flourish.
By making a gift today, 90% of your community-changing contribution is returned to you in Oregon State Tax Credits, while the remaining 10% can be written off as a charitable contribution.
2023 IDA Tax Credits are available for purchase until April 15th, 2024. As long as your gift arrives before we sell out or Tax Day 2024 (whichever comes first), we can issue 2023 Tax Credits.
To find more information on how you can make your community-changing contribution click here. Oregon IDA Initiative accepts donations via credit card, check, wire transfers, and stock/mutual funds!
City of Hillsboro - OR 8: Oak/Baseline/10th Corridor Study Online Survey
 The Oak/Baseline/10th Avenue project is is currently identfying opportunities for improvements along this frequently used corridor. On these roadways, the city is required to provide facilities for each mode of traveler, but the roadways currently do not have consistent bike facilities. Each design concept represents a unique way of accommodating bikes, some within the existing curbs and public right-of-way and some that extend outside of the existing curbs, public right-of-way or both.
As the city of Hillsboro considers different design concepts - this is a great opportunity to learn, engage and voice how you think these design concepts fit the Corridor Vision for the area and your preference.
To provide your input and feedback on this current project please visit Engage Hillsboro by clicking here.
Denim & Diamonds 2023
Mark your calendars for Saturday June 3, 2023! Join us for dinner, dancing, speakeasy fun, and celebrating Hope in Washington County at the Family Justice Center.
Forest Grove's Historic Home Tours return this summer
From Pamplin Media Group - Forest Grove NewsTimes & City of Forest Grove website
 The native tribes of the Tualatin branch of the Kalapuya Indians lived in the Forest Grove area prior to being settled by European immigrants in the 1840’s.
Forest Grove was platted in 1850, then formally incorporated in 1872, making it the first city in Washington County. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the name Forest Grove was selected on January 10, 1851, at a meeting of the trustees of Tualatin Academy (later known as Pacific University). In 1859, the name Forest Grove was officially recognized for the area around Pacific University. This name probably referred to the grove of oak trees on and around the University.
As the oldest town in Washington County, Forest Grove is known for its abundant historic homes and this summer, residents will have the opportunity to explore several of these iconic houses as part of non-profit Friends of Historic Forest Grove’s annual Historic Home Tour.
Visitors will be able to tour one house per month in June, July and August.
In addition to touring, guests will have the option to sit in chairs outside, listen to music and enjoy wine, soda, cheese and crackers.
Official tour dates are still pending. The suggested fee is $5. Proceeds will go to Friends of Historic Forest Grove, which is fully volunteer-operated.
Historic homeowners in Forest Grove who would like their residence to be toured can email Philemon at misscilicia@outlook.com or call her at 541-592-4682. The submission deadline is the end of April.
Other Updates:
Oregon Employment Department Paid Leave Update
Frances Online available in English and Spanish for benefits in August
When Frances Online goes live for employees in Oregon on Aug. 14, it will be available in English and Spanish, the two most common languages in our state.
The Oregon Employment Department is working to establish timelines for more languages. Until then, we are taking measures to assist customers with language access for Paid Leave Oregon benefits go-live in August.
Those steps include:
- Expanding our website, currently available in six languages (English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese) to eight (Korean and Arabic) by August
- Continuing to translate all employee-facing materials and resources into 12 languages and employer-facing materials into six languages
- Translating the Frances Online chat bot for employees into Oregon’s most used languages
- Creating demo tutorial videos on Paid Leave processes, including how to apply for benefits using Frances Online, in the eight languages available on our Paid Leave Oregon website
- Directing customers to phone numbers to get help in their specific language
Having Frances Online available in both English and Spanish is just a starting place. Right now, we are focused on making sure we are using our limited resources to ensure the rollout of benefits in August goes smoothly. As we learn what works best for our customers, we’ll roll out more languages based on their usage rates in Oregon.
Oregon continues to lead the way on language access and accessibility for paid leave programs nationally by translating our website, forms, and all external materials. We remain committed to building a program centered on equity and the best outcomes for Oregonians.
Also, please feel free to share the following resources with any constituents who might have questions or need support:
- Constituents with questions about their UI claims can use the Contact Us form on our website, Unemployment.Oregon.gov, which is accessible by clicking on the yellow button at the top, right corner of all pages. We established this Contact Us form as a way to help people get timely information regarding their unemployment benefits.
- We are always open for business to help members of your communities find fulfilling work through our WorkSource Oregon centers. Information for job-seekers and employers is at WorkSourceOregon.org. WorkSource Oregon centers are located throughout Oregon, and all services are free. People can use our online scheduling tool to find their local WorkSource Oregon office and set up one-on-one time with an employment specialist.
- Businesses can go to Frances Online, our newly modernized contributions system, to update their account information, manage account access, file and amend combined payroll reports and a lot more. Need help? Here’s our Employer Resource page, or call (503) 947-1488 or email Contributions.Unit@employ.oregon.gov.
Waste-Free Advocates
Waste-Free Advocates has partnered with Bold Reuse, New Seasons Market and PNW Packaged Food & Beverage Group to create a pilot exploring the benefits and challenges involved in reusable grocery containers, and how this new model might scale up in the future.
Making glass jars costs energy to mine, manufacture, and ship. Even recycling glass can lead to hefty pollution problems. Reuse is better than recycling! So, we’re imagining a different reality.
What if when a customer finishes a jar of peanut butter, rather than spending the energy to manufacture a new jar or even recycling the one that they have, the jar could be washed, sanitized and returned to the manufacturer to be refilled with fresh peanut butter?
That’s the Retail Reuse pilot in a nutshell.
New Seasons Market customers will buy products from any of the five participating local manufacturers with no deposit, and return them to any Bold Reuse drop box at New Seasons Market. Bold Reuse will pick up the containers, wash and sanitize them, and then return them to the manufacturers to be refilled. The pilot launches today, April 14th, and will continue through December 2023.
The pilot is funded by Metro’s Investment and Innovation Grant. As part of our Zero-Waste Collaboration goals, WFA has been helping form the pilot since the beginning and will serve as an outreach partner throughout. We’re hoping that a high percentage of the participating jars will remain in circulation in order to prove that the model can scale far beyond the pilot.
If you have any questions, please check out the FAQ.
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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