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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

School is back in Session, we had a little rain last week, and my flowers have almost all died back which means that Fall is almost here! Fall during a Legislative interim means a lot of planning work for Legislators. My meetings schedule has picked up to a brisk pace as I work with advocates and agencies to plan for the upcoming Short Session in February. Each Legislator will only be able to submit two bills during the Short Session, and it is a challenging process to winnow down all of the issues I am working on to just two. It requires weighting various needs, strategizing about timing and the current environment at the Capitol, and sometimes it means leaving good bill ideas behind to focus on the two I believe to be of the highest priority and have a good chance of passing during a Short Session.

I look forward to returning to the Capitol on Friday for a meeting of the Joint Committee on Public Education Appropriations (JPEA), of which I am a Co-Chair. The JPEA's primary responsibility is to evaluate the Quality Education Model report. The report is important in assisting lawmakers with establishing the costs of providing the education programs necessary for Oregon's children to meet educational goals. I look forward to hearing testimony from the Quality Education Commission, and to seeing my peers again. You can view the meeting online here. 

JPEA Co-Chairs Senator Lew Frederick and Representative Susan McLain

Working with peers in-district - Senator Sollman, Reps. McLain and Sosa

Last week I wrote about the latest Revenue Forecast and the promising news it brought strongly indicating Oregon's economy is healthy and that the work the Legislature did over the last several years in recovering from COVID, and the investments we have made to support all Oregonians, are showing positive results. This is good news in terms of having a stable budget environment that will allow us to fund necessary services that Oregonians rely on. It also means that Oregonians are set to receive the largest Kicker in state history. Below, I have included more on the record Kicker and what you can expect in terms of process and timeline. 

This "Legislative Updates" section also provides information on the work that the Oregon Housing and Community Services Agency (OHCS) is doing to preserve affordable housing in our state. Oregonians have been very clear that we must make progress on the housing and homelessness crisis, and this session Legislators responded by delivering major wins on housing and homelessness that take direct aim at the root causes of homelessness and work fast to build more affordable homes. The work we’ve done this session will: get people off the street and into shelter; prevent more homelessness by keeping people housed; and ramp up housing production to make housing more affordable. Read below to hear about the latest milestone from OHCS.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE OREGON KICKER

Recently, the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) predicted a $5.6 billion revenue surplus, triggering a personal income tax surplus credit—commonly known as the kicker. The surplus will be returned to taxpayers who filed a 2022 tax return - and had tax due before credits – through a credit on their 2023 state personal income tax return that may be filed in 2024.

What happens next?: OEA will certify the amount of the surplus credit to the Department of Revenue on or before October 1, 2023. The department must provide this information and guidance to taxpayers about calculation of the credit no later October 15, 2023.  The Kicker webpage including FAQs and a “What’s My Kicker?” calculator will be available at that time. 

Who gets a kicker?: Taxpayers are eligible to claim the kicker if they filed a 2022 tax return and had tax due before credits. Even people who don’t have a filing obligation for 2023, must file a 2023 tax return to claim the kicker. Information about how to claim the credit will be available in the 2023 Oregon personal income tax return instructions.

How is the kicker returned to taxpayers?: The kicker will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2023 state personal income tax returns that may be filed in 2024. Taxpayers who have not yet filed a 2022 tax return – possibly making them eligible for a kicker - should do so, and pay any tax owed, so they can claim their kicker credit when they file their 2023 tax return.

How do taxpayers calculate their kicker?: Generally, to calculate the amount of their credit, taxpayers will multiply their 2022 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2022 Form OR-40—by the percentage certified by OEA before October 1. Other limitations apply and are outlined in instructions.

Other important kicker information:The state may use all or part of a taxpayer’s kicker to pay any state debt they owe, such as tax due for other years, child support, court fines, or school loans. Taxpayers may choose to donate their kicker to the Oregon State School Fund for K-12 public education using a checkbox on their return.  The donation is for 100 percent of a taxpayer’s kicker and may not be revoked if selected. Taxpayers may also choose to donate all or part of their kicker to any or all of the 29 charities approved by the Charitable Checkoff Commission. Taxpayers use Form OR-DONATE to designate any amount, or all of their refund, to donate to charity.

STATE HELPS KEEP 2,283 HOMES AFFORDABLE 

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has approved more than $167 million of investments since the beginning of 2023 to keep 2,283 homes affordable rather than risk rents increasing to market rate. These homes mainly consist of apartment units and manufactured houses.

Preserving affordable housing refers to the efforts at maintaining housing that is affordable for individuals and families with lower incomes. When affordable housing is built, the state and owner enter into a regulatory agreement that establishes how long that housing is to remain affordable. This initial period of affordability, where rents are lower than in the open market, is ordinarily 30-60 years in Oregon.

As affordable housing complexes start to reach the end of their required regulatory affordability period, OHCS and its partners work to retain the affordable restrictions for these homes. Addressing this issue is important as affordable housing plays a critical role in promoting social and economic stability within communities and for each property resident.

These awards are administered through several preservation funding programs leveraging state and federal funds. As detailed in the list below, preservation funding is needed throughout the state, from big cities to small towns and rural communities.

As OHCS looks toward this work in the future, the agency has published a new Preservation Framework report. Informed by partners throughout the state, this framework outlines the agency’s preservation strategy, priorities, and goals.

I hope all teachers, staff, parents, and students are off to a great school year this week! There is always so much new information to absorb at the start of a school year, so as a reminder, you can always visit my "Important Resources" section at the bottom of this newsletter for useful education-related links. You can also find the links I've collected here. 

This week's back-to-school section has several great opportunities for students to become engaged in the important issues that impact their lives. There is no better Civics education than participation and Oregon's Kid Governor program is a great example of this! Check out the information below and learn how your 5th grader and their whole class can become involved in electing this year's Kid Governor. 

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT OREGON KID GOVERNOR?

The Oregon Secretary of State invites all Oregon 5th grade students and their teachers to participate in the campaign and election of the 2024 Oregon Kid Governor. 

What is the Oregon Kid Governor program?

Oregon’s Kid Governor® (ORKG) is a statewide civics program for 5th graders managed by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. It is an affiliate of Kid Governor®, an award-winning civics program created by the Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC).

Timed to coincide with Election Day in November, ORKG offers each elementary school in Oregon the opportunity to enter one student candidate into a statewide election that other 5th graders vote in. Classes can nominate a classmate to run for office, vote in the election or both. Toolkits of in-class lessons guide teachers and students through the program to learn about civics, including how to vote, the Oregon Legislature, The Oregon Executive Branch, and the Oregon Supreme Court. The program is free and provides teachers with classroom toolkits to help guide their students through the curriculum.

ORKG candidates work with their classmates to create a campaign video outlining:

• Why they want to be Oregon Kid Governor
• Their leadership qualities and skills
• A community issue that they want to address and why it's important
• A 3-point plan that will help 5th graders across Oregon make a difference on that issue

From the pool of nominees, a selection committee will choose the final 7 candidates and the Secretary of State’s Office will post the videos online. During Election Week, registered classes watch and analyze the campaign videos and vote for the platform and candidate they want to support. The candidate with the most votes statewide is then named Oregon Kid Governor.

The winning candidate serves a one-year term with all the benefits and responsibilities of being Kid Governor. These duties include sharing their issue statewide with constituents, writing posts for an official blog, meeting with students and adults across the state, and participating in events with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.

Each Oregon school or homeschooler that chooses to participate will nominate one 5th grade student. Oregon's Kid Governors are elected by fellow 5th graders from across the state. During the week of November 6th through the 14th all participating 5th graders will view the finalists' campaign videos and will vote for their favorite nominee. The winner will be announced on or before December 1st.

During their one-year term, Oregon's Kid Governor will work with the Secretary of State's office on their campaign issue and will meet with Oregon leaders and legislators. In past years, we have had Kid Governors work on anti-bullying efforts, combating racism, and helping animals.

For more information or to register and access the lesson plans visit or.kidgovernor.org.

FREE VISION SCREENINGS FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS

At least 15 percent of all preschoolers have an undetected vision problem that needs to be treated with glasses. Vision is vital to a child’s development but many vision disorders go undetected. In the state of Oregon more than 11,000 preschool children may have amblyopia, a common vision disorder. Many vision disorders, like amblyopia, can be successfully treated and even reversed if detected early. Yet as many disorders go undetected, visual impairment threatens a child’s ability to learn during the pivotal developmental age of 3- 7 years old. Oregon has made vision checks a priority. The legislature requires that every child, 7-year-olds and younger, heading to public schools for the first time show proof of a vision screening. With a grant from the Oregon State Elks Association and Elks volunteers, the children’s eye clinic at OHSU Casey Eye Institute provides free vision screenings for preschoolers all over the state. The Elks Preschool Vision Screening Program screens more than 8,000 kids every year. For more information on screenings, please call Bethany at 503-545-8114 or eamil painterb@ohsu.edu.

STUDENT HEALTH ADVOCATES APPLICATIONS

Oregon School-Based Health Alliance has opened their recruitment for the 2023-24 Student Health Advocates (SHA) program! The Student Health Advocates are a group of youth ages 14-22 from all over Oregon who work to advocate for School-Based Health Centers and equitable health services. The 8-month program consists of 1-2 monthly virtual meetings, optional in-person gatherings, and a stipend. It is a leadership opportunity for young people who are interested in becoming a voice not only for their own health, but for the health of their peers and community.  If you are interested in learning more about SHA, contact Asia Gates at asia@osbha.org.

In this week's section of "Around Western Washington County," I have listed several great community events that you can participate in. Fall is always a great time in our area with a variety of opportunities to be out and about and engaging with neighbors and friends. I personally always look forward to the Corn Roast and Chalk Art Festival and am known for taking quite a few pictures of the chalk art, which I find both beautiful and a little sad since I know it's temporary. I have also included a link to the Washington County Sheriff's Office Community Survey, which provides an important opportunity for you to share your perspective on the work and role of WCSO in our community.

Your voice matters and it's important to let government agencies know about what you believe is important. I encourage everyone to take a minuter to complete the Washington County Sheriff's Office Community Survey so that your voice is heard on necessary public safety issues. More than ever before, public safety is a shared responsibility. By participating in this survey, you can help inform the direction of their strategic plan. Your valuable insights will help them better understand your needs, concerns, and priorities, so they can align their internal goals with what matters most to you.

Click the link below to access the survey and let your voice be heard. Please submit your responses by September 15th:

bit.ly/WCSO_CommunitySurvey

9/11 MEMORIAL EVENT IN OUR COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE CORN ROAST!

The Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce is  always looking for volunteers to help with the Corn Roast!  They have many positions available, whether it be setting up and taking down, trash collecting, and more.  I know they always appreciate any help to ensure the event goes smoothly. 

Click here or on the image below to sign up!

GREAT GOLF FOR A GREAT CAUSE!

West Tuality Habitat for Humanity, in Forest Grove is an amazing nonprofit organization committed to bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. With the help of donors, volunteers and sponsors, they team up with local families in Western Washington County to build homes with an affordable mortgage and do critical home repairs.

Their upcoming fundraiser is a great opportunity to help give back to our community. Recruit your team of 4 and register now for a fun day on the green and a great day to support building affordable homes and critical home repairs in our community. Not a golfer? Join them for just the post-tournament BBQ & hear amazing stories of Habitat for Humanity's work in Western Washington County. Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Complete details about our golf event.

DIWALI BAZAAR VENDOR APPLICATIONS OPEN

The DIwali Bazaar is a celebration of Diwali, one of Hinduism’s more high profile festivals. The Diwali Bazaar PDX 2023 Vendor Form is now available here:

https://forms.gle/Gk8R8CBUQtC5cZRn7

They have space for 50 #BIPOC vendors. You can reserve 1 or multiple spots. Spaces will be 4’ by 6’ & 2 ft. Space between each vendor. Please plan for tables and racks accordingly.

Non Food $ 45 (3 Days) / Non Hot Food $ 60 (3 Days)

Three health-related topics in the news recently are the dramatic number of overdose deaths caused by opioids, increased transmission of COVID-19, spurred on by the new variant, and the rising cost of health care across the country. I've compiled information on the new variant and what you need to know about staying current on vaccines. I've also included an online public hearing opportunity from the Oregon Health Authority to learn about the cost of health care in Oregon and what the state is doing to address the rising increases we are seeing across Oregon. And last week was National Overdose Awareness Day, which is an important reminder that addiction touches every person and every aspect of our society in some way. Changing our current reality is a daunting task, but there is hope. However, it will take collective will  and action from individuals, community members, health care workers, educators, and elected officials to make a meaningful difference. I am committed to doing my part in the Legislature to ensure we fund the services necessary to provide both treatment and preventative education.

OVERDOSE AWARENESS CAN SAVE LIVES

Overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Using opioids, whether prescribed or illegally, comes with a significant risk of overdose. It's important for individuals and their family members and caregivers to know what to do in an emergency. Learn about the signs of overdose and about the medication naloxone below. Knowing how to use this medication could save a life.

An opioid overdose can happen when a person takes too much of an opioid or a combination of opioids and other substances, such as alcohol, sedatives or stimulants. “Too much” varies from person to person depending on their opioid tolerance and the potency (strength) of the opioid they’re using.

An opioid overdose is a very serious medical emergency. People experiencing an opioid overdose need naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan®). Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose if it’s given to the person quickly. The person will still need medical attention after the administration of naloxone.

What should I do if I think someone is experiencing an opioid overdose?

If you think someone is having an opioid overdose:

• Call 911 immediately
• Administer naloxone, if you have it
• Keep the person awake and breathing by rubbing their chest with your knuckles
• Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
• Stay with the person until medical professionals arrive

Oregon law allows lay people to carry and use naloxone on others

You can be prepared to save the life of someone in need. Ask your healthcare provider or a pharmacist about naloxone if you believe you or someone you know may be at risk of an overdose. 

Naloxone is safe, easy to get, and easy to use. Carrying naloxone is no different than carrying an EpiPen for someone with allergies. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for those at a higher risk for overdose.

STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH COVID INFORMATION

Many important key measures of COVID-19 rates are indicating a current increase in the spread of the virus. Weekly hospital admissions have nearly doubled over the past month, including a 19% bump in the most recent week, CDC data shows. And a sample of laboratories participating in a federal surveillance program show that test positivity rates have tripled in the past two months. However, there are some hopeful signs: data shows that wastewater levels may be starting to flatten, and relatively low hospitalization rates suggest that there may be a lower risk of severe disease for many.

The Latest Variant:

Viruses mutate, so it was only a matter of time before yet another new SARS-CoV-2 strain (the virus that causes COVID-19) emerged and started to spread. This summer, that strain is called EG.5, or, informally, Eris (nicknamed after the Greek goddess of strife and discord). A descendant of Omicron, Eris is already the dominant coronavirus subvariant in the country, infecting more people than any other single strain.

So far, EG.5 isn’t setting off any alarms as far as disease severity, although early reports show it may be more transmissible—it has surpassed XBB.1.16 (or Arcturus), another highly contagious Omicron subvariant that was in the news just a few months ago (Source: Yale Medicine).

What You Need to Know About Vaccines:

• Everyone aged 6 years and older should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date.

• People aged 65 years and older may get a 2nd dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

• Children aged 6 months–5 years may need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of doses they’ve previously received and their age.

LEARN ABOUT HEALTH CARE COSTS IN OREGON!

People in Oregon pay more for health care than housing, utilities, transportation, or food. Health care is the biggest expense for families in Oregon and the average 40 year-old applicant pays $467 a month for insurance premiums alone. This is just below the national average of $495. Want to know why, and what Oregon is doing to combat the rising cost of health care? The Oregon Health Authority has an upcoming public hearing opportunity to learn more about this critically important issue.

Join the public hearing, “2023 Cost Growth Target Public Hearing,” to learn how Oregon is working to make health care more affordable:

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to noon.

HOW: Join the virtual hearing by clicking here: https://ow.ly/6ElN50PG8vn

WHO: Hear from health care plans, health systems and provider organizations.

Do you have a story about the high cost of health care that you want to share? You can email your public testimony to: HealthCare.CostTarget@oha.oregon.gov.

My office has compiled a list of resources for our community. You can click on the images below to open a document with the relevant links. If you know of a resource that should be included here, or you need a resource and are having trouble finding the information you need, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.

EDUCATION RESOURCES

Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of Education-related resources. This includes links to the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts, the Oregon and US Departments of Education, information on how to pay for college, student lunch programs, and much more!

WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES Click here, or on the image to the right for important resources related to wildfire prevention and recovery. This list includes links to current fire restrictions and recreation site status maps, the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire prevention tip page, and important resources for wildfire victims.

RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of important resources for Veterans, including links and phone numbers to the various divisions of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, local Washington County assistance, supportive and community-based groups like the American Legion, and mental health resources.

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT  Click here, or on the image to the right for links to important local and state government pages, including the Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Cornelius city government pages. You can also access the Oregon Legislature's page, and other important state agency sites, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Unemployment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority.

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THE OREGON COAST - A FAVORITE OF MINE!

Yours truly,

Representative Susan McLain
House District 29

email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain