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Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Join me at these upcoming events! There are several opportunities this month for us to connect. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Washington County Thrives
Join us for the next quarterly gathering of Washington County Thrives All-Collaborative!
Registration Required: bit.ly/Thrives_July2023
Our July meeting will feature an update on the latest Oregon Legislative Session with time for Q&A. Guests include Oregon State Senator Janeen Sollman and State Representative Susan McLain (joining remotely). As usual, there will be time for participants to network and to share relevant announcements.
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Space is limited - Register now to save your spot!!!
Wednesday, July 19 from 8:30-10am
In-person at Village Church, Beaverton or virtual via Zoom
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Constituent Office Hours
Friday, July 21st, I will hold Constituent Office Hours at the Zesti Food Carts in Forest Grove from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Sign up for a 15 minute meeting time at this link here. If all time slots are full, stay tuned! We will continue to hold office hours throughout the Summer and Fall.
Community Conversation
Wednesday, July 26, we will meet for a Community Conversation at 5:30pm at the newly opened Hillsboro Downtown Station. Come early, support a local business and join us for the conversation.
2023 Legislative Session Budget Highlights
Senate District 15 Investments
The end of session "Christmas Tree" bill holds funding for many projects, both direct allocations and bonds for Capital Construction requests. Below is a list of items that were funded in SB 5506 that will directly impact Senate District 15.
- $1 million to Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute for research expansion and equipment. (Capital Projects)
- $4.1 million for the Family Justice Center of Washington County for the Family Peace Center of Washington County. (Lottery revenue bond projects)
- $5.1 million for the Washington County for the Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment (CATT). (Lottery revenue bond projects)
- $14,051 - Theatre in the Grove (General Fund appropriation)
- $33,862 - Vault Theater (Bag and Baggage) (General Fund appropriation)
Also funded was HB 3410 which will provide $3 million Lottery Funds, on a one-time basis, to develop and implement a program for awarding grants directly to county fair operators for the operation of county fairs and the maintenance and repair of county fairgrounds. A win for Washington County Fairgrounds!
SB 4: CHIPS Act Funding
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SB 4 allocates up to $200 million to support Oregon firms applying for CHIPs dollars.
- $190 million for the Oregon CHIPS fund
- $10 million for the Industrial Lands Loan Fund
- Additional investment of $10 million for deposit in the University Innovation Research Fund
- Extra $50 million allocated to Business Oregon for additional covered incentives- bringing the total state investment in grants and forgivable loans to $240 million. (SB 5506 Special Purpose Appropriation)
K-12 and Higher Education Budget Investments
This year saw record investments in funding for K-12 and Higher Education, along with initiatives aimed to improve Early Literacy and investments in our workforce. Follow the bill links to read more information on this important education funding.
- $10.2 Billion towards the State School Fund (HB 5015)
- $3.7 Billion for the Higher Education Supports (HB 5025)
- $144.3 Million for Early Literacy (HB 3198)
- $16 Million towards K-12 Educator Workforce Investments (SB 283)
- $8.9 Million for Special Education Stipends (SB 5506)
2023 Legislative Session Environmental Priorities
Plastic Free July
Shared from PlasticFreeJuly.org
Welcome to Plastic Free July 2023!
Join millions of people that are stopping around 300 million kg of plastic polluting the world each year!
We can’t recycle or clean up our way out of the plastic pollution crisis. So, Plastic Free July participants are each taking their own small steps by choosing to refuse single-use plastics.
These small steps are creating the community culture change that influences corporate and government policy to change the system and end plastic waste.
Together, we’re making a big difference in turning off the plastics tap and enjoying a greater well-being as a result.
If you haven't yet, sign up to the challenge: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/take-the-challenge/
Visit PlasticFreeJuly.org for more ideas on ways to participate and reduce your impact.
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Hillsboro Downtown Station Food Cart Plaza and Taphouse
Hillsboro Downtown Station's Grand Opening is today! Join them from 3:00pm-5:30pm for the celebration, including free samples from 3:00-4:00 and a performance from Mariachi Los Gallos Salinas at 4:30. Stick around to order food and drink and visit with fellow community members. Hillsboro Downtown Station is located at 320 SE Baseline St Hillsboro, OR 97123. Learn more at their website here.
Out and About - Representing Senate District 15
LEHI - Legislative Energy Horizon Institute
This past weekend, I traveled to Richland, WA for the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute. One of the most amazing things about learning together at LEHI is learning from each other. I was thrilled to join several of my Oregon colleagues and meet other legislators from across the country. I look forward to continuing my education on energy related issues and putting what I learned at LEHI into good use for Oregon with my colleagues. Learn more about LEHI and Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) here: https://www.pnwer.org/lehi.html
Forest Grove New City Hall Ribbon Cutting
Last night I attended the Ribbon Cutting and Open House at the new City Hall in Forest Grove. It was a great evening of community and conversation.
In The News
How to pump your own gas: a brief tutorial for Oregonians (YouTube Video), The Oregonian
Last-minute bill creating misdemeanor fentanyl possession sent to Kotek’s desk, Koin.com
Oregon Senate Approves Funding for Oregon AgriStress Helpline, Elkhorn Media Group
Community Outreach
Ride Connection Survey Opportunity
Shared from Forest Grove City Hall
What do you think? Ride Connection received funding to expand GroveLink and WestLink's existing free services and we want your opinion. Your confidential survey responses will be used to map routes and hours of operation, that could better serve your family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Visit the link below and share your opinion before July 31, 2023.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RideConnectionGroveLink...
Hillsboro Police Development Domestic Violence Response Team - Volunteer Applications Open
Shared from Hillsboro Police Department
The Hillsboro Police Department Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) is seeking volunteer advocates to provide on-scene crisis intervention and support for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and teen dating violence. Advocates respond on-scene with officers to provide trauma-informed support. This application process closes on July 31st.
Please visit our volunteers page (link below) for more information about the advocate position and other volunteer opportunities.
https://tinyurl.com/HPD-Volunteers
Oregon Bird Man at Rogers Park in Forest Grove
Shared from Forest Grove Parks and Rec
Zoologist, Animal Behaviorist, and Wildlife Educator Karl Anderson AKA the Oregon Bird Man, is joining us at Rogers Park on July 13th & 21st at 12:30pm - 1:30pm for a FREE demonstration! Come learn and be amazed with us, as the Oregon Bird Man introduces us to 15 beautiful, talented and unique birds! No sign up necessary! ITS FREE
http://oregonbirdman.com/
Come early (12pm-12:30pm) and enjoy a FREE meal to kids 1-18 years old courtesy of FGSD Summer Meal program.
Additional Resources
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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