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Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Virtual Community Conversation
Join Team #SD15 on Wednesday, September 6th from 6:30pm-7:30pm for a Community Conversation. We will share an overview of upcoming legislative dates and bill deadlines as we prepare for the 2024 Legislative Session. This is also an opportunity to bring your questions and concerns and join the discussion. Register to attend here. I look forward to seeing you!
Legislative Updates
September 2023 Economic and Revenue Forecast
The September 2023 Economic and Revenue Forecast was released on Wednesday in the House Revenue Committee. The summary and materials, produced by the Office of Economic Analysis and the Legislative Revenue Office can be found on OLIS here. I am especially proud of the work we did on SB 4 and the CHIPS Act and how that will bring forecasted jobs and revenue to our state. (See graphic below)
Oregonians have weathered incredible uncertainty these past few years, and thanks to strong, Democratic leadership, we’re optimistic about the future of Oregon’s economy. Revenue is up and our budget reserves are healthy. Income gains are once again outpacing price increases, leading to rising living standards. Oregon’s economy is in a strong position for future growth – especially in the semiconductor industry. Inflation has slowed considerably in the past year.
The historic investments we made in 2023 are going to keep Oregon on a stable path and make life better for hard working Oregonians. Record funding for schools will better prepare our workforce and attract more families to our state. Once-in-a-generation investments in the semiconductor industry are going to make Oregon a global economic leader in the 21st century – and beyond. We’re already seeing progress on other key factors such as affordable housing production, broadband development, child care, and more.
The 2024 legislative session will be absolutely critical. Not every Oregonian is feeling the relief yet. We must keep our economy moving in the right direction and make sure that our hard-earned tax dollars are being used wisely to fix the issues impacting all Oregonians. Even with this good news, our communities need action on affordable housing and homelessness, family-wage jobs, behavioral health and addiction, community safety, and more.
Back to School
BACK TO SCHOOL: What Oregon Students and Parents Need to Know Ahead of the 2023 School Year
During the 2023 Legislative Session, lawmakers made several key changes and investments that will make a positive impact for Oregon students, teachers, school faculty, and parents in the upcoming school year and beyond. These include record investments in school funding and early literacy programs, initiatives to support educators and solve the substitute teacher shortage, upgrades for healthier school ventilation systems, new school safety measures, protections for students with disabilities, and more.
Highlights include:
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Fully funding Oregon’s K-12 schools with record investments that will ensure students are set up for success in the classroom (House Bill 5015).
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Improving early reading skills in the classroom, which is shown to have long-term, positive impact on kids graduating from high school (House Bill 3198).
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Delivering cleaner air, heating and cooling in school buildings by upgrading school HVAC systems (House Bill 3031).
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Free or Reduced Cost School Meals for Low-Income Students (House Bill 5014)
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Attracting, retaining, and training talented educators and guarantee every kid graduates with basic life skills (Senate Bill 283).
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Making schools safer with silent panic alarm systems to alert law enforcement and emergency medical services when there is a threat at a school building (House Bill 5014).
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Notifying parents and school employees when there is an emergency at school (House Bill 3584).
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Enforcing students with disabilities’ right to a full-time education (Senate Bill 819).
With these solutions in place, Oregon schools will be stronger, healthier, and safer. To learn more about these efforts, click here.
The Biden-Harris Administration Launches the SAVE Plan, the Most Affordable Student Loan Repayment Plan Ever to Lower Monthly Payments for Millions of Borrowers
Shared from StudentAid.gov
The Biden-Harris Administration estimates that over 20 million borrowers could benefit from the SAVE plan. Borrowers can sign up today by visiting StudentAid.gov/SAVE
Specifically, the SAVE plan will:
- Cut payments on undergraduate loans in half. Borrowers with undergraduate loans will have their payments reduced from 10% to 5% of their discretionary income. Those who have undergraduate and graduate loans will pay a weighted average between 5% and 10% of their income based upon the original principal balances of their loans.
- Bring many borrowers’ loan payments to $0 per month. A borrower’s monthly payment amount is based on their discretionary income—defined under the SAVE plan as the difference between their adjusted gross income (AGI) and 225% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guideline amount for their family size.
- Ensure that borrowers never see their balance grow as long as they keep up with their required payments.
- Provide early forgiveness for low-balance borrowers.
Find more details and answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.
Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road
Shared from NationalSafetyCouncil.org
School days bring congestion: School buses are picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It's never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.
Read the full article with reminders for sharing the road here.
A guide on when you should stop for a school bus in Oregon
Shared from KGW.com
With the new school year here, here's a look at when drivers are and aren't required to stop for a school bus. See the graphic below and read the full article here.
 
Senate District 15 Small Business Spotlight
Back to Balance LLC
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to celebrate the Grand Opening of Back to Balance LLC in Hillsboro. They have a beautiful space and offer yoga classes, spa and massage treatments. What a wonderful addition to the downtown Hillsboro area. Visit them here to learn more and book an appointment.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Hillsboro School District 2023-2024 School Year Kickoff
This week I was honored to attend the Hillsboro School District school year kickoff at Liberty High School along with teachers and staff from across the district. The Hillsboro High School Drumline got our spirits soaring, what a powerful event! Superintendent Travis Reiman’s leadership and compassionate heart was on full display. Here's to a fabulous year to get to Know.Value.Empower Every Student to Achieve their Dreams! #ProudToBeHSD
Celebrating Zero Waste Bills that Passed This Year!
Last week I came together with a fabulous group of environmental champs to celebrate the great session we had for Zero Waste policies. These are the people that truly make all the magic happen and helped drive SB 543, SB 545 and SB 546 to pass in 2023. Stay tuned... Right to Repair is happening in 2024!
Hidden Creek Park West
Happy birthday, Oro and congrats to Hillsboro Parks & Recreation on a beautiful, all-inclusive playground for all ages and abilities at Hidden Creek Park West! I loved being there for this ribbon-cutting event. Check out Hillsboro's newest playground at 225 NE 53rd Avenue in Hillsboro.
Hillsboro Farmers Market and Hops Game
This past weekend I spent a beautiful Sunday in Senate District 15! I visited the Orenco Hillsboro Farmers' Market for salad greens, dinner fixings and pretty posies and was happy to see the author of my grandson's favorite stories lately, N.D. Byma! Later that day, it was a Hillsboro Hops game for the WIN! I am thankful for our amazing community.
Community Outreach
Oregon Tradeswomen Fall Career Class
Shared from Oregon Tradeswomen
Do you want to join our Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class this Fall? The deadline for applications has been extended to September 8th, so you still have a chance to apply to become an Oregon Tradeswomen pre-apprentice!
Note: There are NO income requirements for participation in the Fall class!
Learn more and apply at https://oregontradeswomen.org/pathways-to-success
2023 Age-Friendly Oregon Summit: Scholarships Available
Shared from AARP Oregon
Join AARP Oregon and Age-Friendly Champions from around the state for the 2023 Age-Friendly Oregon Summit, to be held October 10 at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon.
Conference registration is free and with support from Cambia Health Foundation and Oregon Department of Human Services, Aging & People with Disabilities, we are offering a limited number of scholarships to cover hotel accommodations for up to 2 nights (Oct 9th and 10th) in the Monmouth region.
The scholarship is available to attendees who work in current age-friendly communities, rural Oregon, BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ communities, and those traveling more than 2 hours from Monmouth to attend. Priority will be given to those who are actively working on making their communities age-friendly or are in the planning stages of this work.
To apply for the 2023 AARP Age-Friendly Summit Scholarship, please fill out the interest form here.
Deadline to apply is Friday, Sept 8.
Forest Grove Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival and Corn Roast - Saturday, Sept. 16th
Visit here for more information.
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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