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Friends and Neighbors,
**Next week we will take a pause on sending out a newsletter. Maria and Nickole will be in Indianapolis attending the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Conference. We look forward to sharing details about all the things they will learn when they return.
Upcoming Events
Constituent Office Hours
Friday, August 18th, 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.
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Joint Town Hall
Joint me along with Representative McLain, and Representative Sosa for a Joint Town Hall to give a recap of the 2023 Legislative Session and to discuss ongoing concerns in Western Washington County.
I hope you can join us on Tuesday, August 22 from 6PM - 7:30PM at the Hillsboro Civic Center (150 E Main St, Hillsboro, OR 97123).
Spanish interpretation will be available. Register at: tinyurl.com/mclainsosasollman
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Legislative Updates
One Year Later: CHIPS and Science Act, State Action Jumpstart Oregon’s Economy
Legislative semiconductor leaders release positive update on anniversary of CHIPS and Science Act
SALEM, Ore. - On Wednesday, August 9th, one year after President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law, Oregon is primed to receive billions in competitive federal dollars to support the state’s semiconductor industry, create good paying jobs, and maintain its position as a global leader.
Oregon leaders acted quickly to take advantage of the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by the federal CHIPS and Science Act funding. In April, the Legislature passed the Oregon CHIPS Act (Senate Bill 4) which opened the door for Oregon businesses to access federal dollars to further develop the infrastructure and resources they need to be competitive.
Just months later, Oregon’s semiconductor economy is positively electric, with more growth on the way, thanks to the federal CHIPS and Science Act and the work of Oregon legislators.
“Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act and the strong, bipartisan work of Oregon legislators, we are building an economy that will empower our kids and grandkids to grow their own futures and their own families here in Oregon,” said Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Forest Grove, Cornelius, Hillsboro, Rock Creek), co-chief sponsor of the Oregon CHIPS Act.
Read the full press release here, or click on the image below.
CHIPS Act in the News
Intel confirms ‘multibillion-dollar’ Oregon expansion plans, OregonLive.com
Analog Devices says Oregon chip factory still has room to grow: ‘There’s definitely more jobs coming’, OregonLive.com
Editorial: Build on the Oregon edge in semiconductors, The Bend Bulletin
STRENGTHENING OREGON’S RESPONSE TO THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CRISIS
Our communities are dealing with a behavioral health and addiction emergency. These problems are not unique to Oregon – nationwide, states are grappling with spikes in drug-involved overdose deaths and behavioral health challenges – but we are making real progress, and I believe the work we did this year will deliver even better results.
In the 2023 legislative session, we took action, passing bills that will get people the help they need now, and on August 8th, Governor Tina Kotek signed many of these bills into law. Including:
- The Opioid Harm Reduction Package, which saves lives by making emergency opioid poisoning treatment more widely available (House Bill 2395).
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Funding for Oregon’s mobile behavioral health crisis response system, including the 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention & Behavioral Health Line (House Bill 2757).
- The bipartisan Hope and Recovery bill which improves implementation of voter-approved Measure 110 and works to make sure addiction and treatment services are more available (House Bill 2513).
- An opioid overdose prevention measure requiring patients discharged from opioid-related treatment to be sent home with two doses of overdose reversal medication (Senate Bill 1043).
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Education for Oregon students about the dangers of synthetic opioids (Senate Bill 238).
- A new task force to review alcohol pricing and funding for addiction services (House Bill 3610).
When voters approved Measure 110 in 2020, they sent a clear message: the days of making behavioral health and addiction worse by criminalizing it are over. We have a mandate to fix this problem with a more effective public health strategy that takes on the root causes of behavioral health and addiction issues. We have more work to do, but I am confident that the bills the governor signed into law will make a difference for Oregonians – and save lives. Learn more here.
M110 Good News
The Land Beyond the Drug War, Esquire Magazine
Ending the War on Drugs: Inside Oregon’s Controversial Experiment, New Lines Magazine
A spark of hope for those in substance abuse recovery, EastOregonian.com
OnTrack, Oasis provide options for unsafely housed people waiting for drug treatment, Rogue Valley Times
Oregon non-profit on teen mental health, Measure 110 and destigmatizing addiction, KOIN News
Paid Leave Oregon - Applications Accepted Beginning 8/14
Information shared from the Oregon Employment Department
Paid Leave Oregon is a new program that ensures individuals, employers, and families of every kind have the time and support they need to care for themselves and their loved ones when they need it most.
How does Paid Leave work?
- Paid Leave lets employees take paid time off when many of life’s most important moments impact our families, health, and safety. Learn about qualifying life events.
- Starting Jan. 1, 2023, employees, regardless of employer size, and large employers with 25 or more employees begin paying into the program.
- Large employers pay 40% of the 1% contribution rate (the amount you pay into the program), and employees pay 60% of the 1% total contribution rate. Learn more about contributions.
- If you’re an employer with fewer than 25 employees, you are considered a small employer. You can choose to contribute, but you are not required to pay into the program. You are required to collect and submit your employees’ contributions starting Jan. 1, 2023. Learn more about your role as a small employer.
- On Sept. 3, 2023, benefits start.
Dates to Remember
- Monday, August 14, 2023 – Paid Leave Oregon begins to accept applications via Frances online
- Sunday, September 3, 2023 – Benefits “Go Live” – First working day an individual can receive Paid Leave
- Week of September 13 – First day we anticipate direct deposit (ACH) benefit payments sent
Visit PaidLeave.oregon.gov to learn more.
Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund
Information shared from Oregon Housing and Community Services
Oregon Housing and Community Services has reopened the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program to new applications this week. The program offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief intended to support homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardships due to the pandemic. It provides funding for past-due mortgages and other housing expenses, as well as ongoing payment assistance, to a limited number of homeowners with low to moderate incomes.
Homeowners can apply through the online portal or speak with a homeownership counselor who can help them apply and find other resources. Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county.
Visit OregonHomeownerAssistance.org to learn more.
Listen.Learn.Act
Right to Repair Canvass and Kickoff
Yesterday was a great day to kick off a Right to Repair Canvass with OSPIRG (Oregon Public Interest Research Group). We started at their office in downtown Portland and talked about our excitement for Right to Repair. Then I came back to Hillsboro to canvass with OSPIRG Director, Charlie Fisher. After speaking with constituents, I am especially jazzed to continue working on this policy. Constituents at the doors are ready for Right to Repair in Oregon! Learn more about Right to Repair here.
Visiting Hillsboro School District's Jump Start Kindergarten Program
On Monday, I had the pleasure of visiting Hillsboro School District's Jump Start Kindergarten Program at W.L. Henry Elementary School! It was the very first day of this 2 week bilingual program which aims to provide students and their families a smooth and successful transition from early childhood into kindergarten. These littles were just so adorable and eager to learn!
¡El lunes tuve el place tuve el placer de visitar el Programa de Jump Start Kindergarten del Distrito Escolar de Hillsboro en la Escuela Primaria W.L. Henry! Hoy fue el primer día de este programa bilingual de 2 semanas que tiene como objetivo proporcionar a los estudiantes y sus familias una transición fluida y exitosa de la primera infancia al kínder. ¡Estos pequeños eran tan adorables y ansiosos por aprender!
Jireh Semiconductor
On Saturday, Representative Janelle Bynum and I had the amazing opportunity of joining Jireh Semiconductor for their annual company picnic. Jireh’s mission is to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. for a profitable price and they are set to submit a $1.8 Billion CHIPS application! This is targeted to bring over 1600 new jobs to our area. Jireh believes ordinary people can achieve the extraordinary and this potential investment will boost production, provide our communities with good paying jobs and workforce development opportunities. They invest in their workers success. Through partnerships with Forest Grove High School, Hillsboro School District, Portland Community College, the City of Hillsboro, our Oregon Universities, and the HAMWG group, Jireh is educating and training the workforce of tomorrow.
Project LEDO Summer Camp
On Monday, I visited a summer camp hosted by Project Ledo. Their mission is to provide access to science and technology programs for children from Black, Indigenous, People of Color and low-income communities. It was great to see the kids learning in action and especially great to see them all leave with a laptop to keep, donated by Free Geek. They were so excited to have their very own connection to technology.
Visit ProjectLedo.org to learn more about their amazing work with students.
Senate District 15 Small Business Spotlight
Murphy's Furniture Celebrates 50 Years of Business!
Shared from Murphy's Furniture
Murphy’s Furniture is a family business providing high quality locally made solid wood furniture at affordable lowest possible prices, incredible selections, ready to finish furniture.
This year marks their 50th Anniversary in business. Read their anniversary story below:
With five decades of furniture sales and service experience under our belt, we thank our entire customer family for continuing to make us your family’s furniture store for over 50 years.
Our Mother, Ruth Murphy, began what is now known as Murphy’s Furniture in the basement of our large old family home in Southeast Hillsboro in 1973. The business evolved into the first Murphy’s Furniture, which primarily focused on high quality, unfinished wood products at the best possible price.
With every change we learned from our experience and listened to our customers. We have maintained affordable quality selection of ready to finish furniture. Our largest line is locally manufactured and family owned Oakcraft Furniture specializing in solid oak and maple bedroom and home office. With five decades of furniture sales and service experience under our belt, we thank our entire customer family for continuing to make us your family’s furniture store for over fifty years.
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Visit Murphy's Furniture at 2962 Baseline Street, Cornelius, OR 97113. Find more information on their website here.
Out and About in Senate District 15
This past week was full of fun and community building across Senate District 15. On Wednesday evening, I enjoyed attending Chill and Grill with Chief Henry Reimann at Rogers Park in Forest Grove. Saturday started with Project Never Again's Duffel Bag Packing Event. We were joined by over 150 volunteers including Senator Ron Wyden, Representative Anna Scharf and Hillsboro City Councilor Beach Pace. Later that day, I had a great time at Schwingfest 2023 in Helvetia, celebrating all things Swiss. Last Friday, I had a great start to the day with the Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce Rise & Shine event at Jenn's Dogs LLC. Then topped it off with a meeting with Former Forest Grove Mayor, Richard Kidd at a meeting hot spot, BJ's Coffee in Forest Grove.
Community Outreach
Neighborhood Health Center - 8th Annual Community Health Fair
Shared from Neighborhood Health Center Oregon
JOIN US!
Help us celebrate National Health Center Week 2023 by joining us for our 8th Annual Community Health Fair! The health fair will take place on August 12th, 2023, from 9am to 1pm in the parking lot located behind the Washington County Public Administration building located at 155 N. 1st Street in downtown Hillsboro.
This year, Dave’s Killer Bread is donating 200 loaves for community members, which attendees will receive along with $10 worth of fresh produce after completing health fair activities! Have more questions about this year’s event? See our FAQ sheet.
For more information, visit NHCOregon.org.
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West Tuality Habitat for Humanity - Home Dedication & Celebration of Kidd Court Completion
Shared from West Tuality Habitat for Humanity Facebook
Volunteers, affordable housing advocates, neighbors and others will join West Tuality Habitat for Humanity on Sunday, August 13, 1 pm at the now fully complete Kidd Court development to dedicate the final home and welcome the new homeowner. The public is invited to attend.
There is very little parking on 22nd Place, so attendees are encouraged to park on D Street near the intersection and then walk to Kidd Court for the ceremony at 1513 22nd Place in Forest Grove. The event is .6 miles from the Pacific Avenue & A Street stop on TriMet 57 coming from Cornelius.
Kidd Court boasts seven homes built by West Tuality Habitat — two detached single-family residences and five attached townhouses. This latest home is the seventh and final one completed. Kidd Court is named in honor of former Forest Grove mayor and long-time Habitat supporter Richard Kidd, who is also expected to be in attendance at this event.
Photos and video will be taken before, during and after the event. Coffee and cookies will be available. Representatives from West Tuality Habitat will also be available to answer questions.
El Grito 2023
Shared from Centro Cultural de Washington County
Mark your calendars for our annual El Grito Community Festival, Sep 16, 2023, at Shute Park, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Centro Cultural is honored to host this event, presented by the City of Hillsboro. This family-friendly event will feature mariachi, and ballet folklorico performances, Latin American gastronomy, artisanal vendors, a car show, community resources, and much more.
If you are interested in registering for a booth or becoming a sponsor, please reach out to jflores@centrocultural.org for more details. Let’s come together to celebrate and support our community!
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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