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Hello Friends and Neighbors,

At this point in the Session, budget work and Floor sessions are keeping us busy and the workload means long but productive days at the Capitol. We voted on 118 bills across a spectrum of issues in our extended Floor sessions this week, including an evening Session last night. I was proud to be asked by the Oregon Student Association to carry Senate Bill 273 yesterday, which passed the House and now heads back to the Senate for concurrence on the House amendments. The bill will increase representation on our university governing boards for students and faculty, who are the heart and soul of any university and deserve to be part of conversations on policies that affect them directly. Don't forget to check the "Bill Updates" section of this newsletter for important information on our drought relief package and increased funding for our Education-related budgets. 

Although it is a very busy period of Session, it is also one of my favorite times of the year. Our high school and college students are celebrating their graduations and I am enjoying all of the commencement photos on social media. I always looked forward to attending the commencement ceremonies as a teacher and also as a proud mom and grandmother for each of my children and grandchildren at their graduations. I am sending my warmest congratulations and praise to this year's graduating class! You've committed yourself to four years of hard work and dedication, and it's finally paying off. Cheers to you all and best of luck on your future academic and professional endeavors!

Lastly, many of you may have heard about the Senate walkouts in the press. Those of us in the House understand that we have important work that needs to be completed, and we made sure to get as many Senate bills processed before the walkouts began. We are going to take every opportunity to push forward critical legislation on urgent priorities such as affordable housing, addiction treatment and mental health, community safety, climate and the environment, stronger schools, access to healthcare, consumer protections and economic fairness, and reproductive freedoms. In addition to record K-12 school funding, we are working diligently on all our Education budgets so that Oregon students and teachers have what they need to succeed in the classroom. The bills being stalled would address educator workforce shortages, protect funding for smaller school districts, increase school safety, and more. We are paying close attention and collaborating with each other to make sure we have the most successful and appropriate response to the walkouts.

This week, we enjoyed a diverse array of artistic talent on the House Floor. Below are the names of the amazing performers and their performances!

- Portland Opera featured mezzo soprano Hannah Penn and pianist Nicholas Fox performing Antonín Dvorak's "Songs My Mother Taught Me"

- Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly, Portland, performed “Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen

- Enlightened Theatrics, Salem, performed “A Fine Place to Start,” selection from their production “Could You Hug A Cactus”

- Daniel Moltke and Zack Surmacz, Portland, performed a Middle Eastern Taqasim Improvisation

BILL UPDATES

Critical Investment in Safe Water

A historic drought and dwindling access to clean drinking water pose existential threats to communities in every corner of Oregon, especially in Central and Eastern Oregon. That’s why we’re showing up for rural communities across the state with a $110 million Drought and Water Security Budget. This investment is aimed at ensuring there is a fresh, clean and safe water supply for Oregon families, farms, fish and wildlife.

This is a critical investment in our water security and ecosystem for generations to come. It will protect and preserve water access for communities across Oregon, our natural ecosystems, and the state’s thriving agriculture that sustains us.

Historic Funding for all Education Budgets

I am so proud of the historic funding levels we are proposing for the next biennium. Read the press release below for more information on the Education budgets. 

I-5 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE

I am sharing some recent Interstate Bridge Replacement program updates with you all, as highlighted below.

Conceptual Visualizations

We have recently completed new conceptual visualizations to give the public a sense of some of the options for what a future bridge replacement could look like. These visualizations just went live on our website and are available at the following link: https://www.interstatebridge.org/nextsteps

While we are still early in the process and decisions on bridge configuration and bridge type are still further out, the visualizations reflect the three configurations currently being analyzed in the environmental review process (single-level, double-level and movable bridge configurations), and potential bridge types that could be feasible based on the configuration. Once the environmental documentation is published later this year, we will have a better understanding of the trade-offs between the three bridge configurations. A decision regarding bridge configuration will be made in 2024 before the start of the environmental analysis required for the Final SEIS and updated Record of Decision. Considerations to determine bridge type will occur once a decision on bridge configuration is made.

Upcoming Neighborhood Forums

As part of our ongoing commitment to engage the community, we will continue to add additional engagement opportunities as we prepare for the release of the Draft SEIS later this year and the public comment period. As part of these efforts, the program is holding two in-person Neighborhood Forums in the coming weeks to give community members an opportunity to speak directly with IBR staff about their questions and to learn about the environmental review process and what is being studied. Logistics for each event are included below along with the link to the meeting event details:

• Vancouver Neighborhood Forum - Wednesday, May 31, 5:00pm - 8:00pm: Downtown Vancouver Library, Columbia Room (901 C Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660)
• Portland Neighborhood Forum - Tuesday, June 6, 5:00pm - 8:00pm: Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, Large Conference Room (731 N Hayden Meadows Drive, Portland, Oregon 97217)

ADVOCATE SPOTLIGHT

WOU and SEIU Advocates

Earlier this week, I met with members of WOUFT and SEIU leadership, the faculty and staff unions from Western Oregon University. They laid the groundwork for longer term conversations about infrastructure at the Technical and Regional Universities, and the funding models that are generous to student success. It was a productive conversation and I always appreciate their commitment to improving our education system for all!

UPCOMING TOWN HALLS

Come join me for a community conversation at my upcoming Town Halls on Saturday, June 10th! There will be two opportunities for both Hillsboro and Cornelius residents to participate. One of the events will take place at the Cornelius Library in the morning and the other will take place at the Hillsboro Shute Park Library in the afternoon.

Please click the image below to RSVP!

AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY

Observing Memorial Day in WashCo

As a member of a military family and a strong advocate for supporting our veterans, I know how important it is for us to honor and celebrate the brave men and women who have given everything to protect our freedoms. Below are some listed opportunities to observe Memorial Day this weekend with your families and loved ones in our county.

Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 29. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War which ended in the spring of 1865, claiming more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and requiring the establishment of the country’s first national cemetery. The first celebration was held May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery where people decorated the graves of over 20,000 military personnel with flowers. Memorial Day is intentionally held in May when flowers are in full bloom across the country, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Army.

Beaverton-Veterans Memorial Park Ceremony: https://www.beavertonpost124.org/

Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery Service:

https://memorialdayoregon.com/index.php/hillsboro/

North Plains-Veterans Memorial Park Ceremony: https://www.northplains.org/.../page/memorial-day-ceremony

Tualatin-Lake at the Commons Service and Community Picnic: https://tualatinvfwaux.org/events/memorial-day-2023/

Salem-Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony: https://oregondva.com/.../oregon-department-of-veterans.../

Adelante Mujeres WashCo Civic Leaders Summer Training

I am always so proud of the opportunities made available through Adelante Mujeres for community involvement, especially for our underrepresented community groups. This upcoming training is a great opportunity to engage in civic life and decision-making that directly impacts us as community members.

SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES

Please enjoy a safe 3-day weekend!

PUBLIC HEALTH

National Women's Health Week

This week, the Office of Women's Health is raising awareness around breast cancer. It is so important to get regular breast exams because early detection is your best chance to find cancer in the early stages. Please take preventative measures and use the resource below to know your risk and get screened. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. While breast cancer occurs mostly among older women, 9% of all reported cases are among women under age 45.

The risk of breast cancer among young women varies based on factors such as family and personal history of cancer. Many young women do not know their risk for this disease or are not aware of ways to lower their risk.

This National Women’s Health Week, know your risk and get screened through Oregon’s ScreenWise program: http://ow.ly/alxU50OrCi2

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

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