|
Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
Right to Repair at the White House
If you have been following my policy work as a legislator for the last few years, you know that Right to Repair has been a top priority of mine. The right to repair means allowing consumers to have access to the same parts, tools, and schematics that original equipment manufacturers share with their own technicians or authorized repair providers. This allows people freedom of choice on how and where to fix the products they own and gives them greater access to getting those products fixed in a timely manner.
The Right to Repair movement has been gaining traction across the country with many states introducing their own right to repair polices. This week, the White House held a comprehensive webinar to talk about the national landscape for repair legislation. It was highly informative and you can watch here. In Oregon, we are bringing back the Right to Repair concept in the 2024 short session that focuses on consumer electronic equipment like cell phones and laptops, and household appliances.
Since the 2023 Legislative Session ended, my team and I have been meeting weekly with a broad coalition of advocates to see what we can learn from other states’ policies and potentially use to strengthen our own. I am encouraged by the momentum for repair legislation that we are seeing across the country in places like New York, Minnesota, Colorado and California. Our constituents want the right to repair their own products, as I have heard myself. My steadfast approach will always be to ensure this does not come at the expense of weakening strong policy for consumers, like the policy we have been working on in Oregon.
Environmental Updates
OLCV Scorecard Release and Metro Master Recycler Class 88 Graduation
This week, I was honored to receive the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV) "Unsung Hero" Award, presented at their Scorecard Launch Party. As an environmental champion, a passionate advocate for plastics reduction, and the Chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, this means so much to be recognized.
The same evening, I also joined the latest Metro Master Recycler class for a Class 88 Graduation and panel discussion. What an enthusiastic group of planet champions! I have enjoyed continuing to learn through the years about all things recycling, including the importance of Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle. We cannot recycle our way out of all the plastic, and materials that don't break down, that already exists in our environment. The key is to reduce our consumption of those products in the first place and find ways to better reuse what we already have. Remember, there is no Planet B.
Listen.Learn.Act
Bienestar Community Conversation
This week, I participated in a community event hosted by Bienestar Oregon. Bienestar's mission is to 'build housing, hope, and community for the wellbeing of Latinxs, immigrants, and all families in need.' They have many housing locations across the Western Washington County area and invited residents to come and meet with their local state legislators and have a conversation. Senator Campos, Representatives McLain and Sosa, and myself were happy to listen and learn about the issues facing our Latinxs neighbors. The event featured a community dinner beforehand and both Spanish and English interpretation. Thank you to Bienestar for bringing us all together in community.
Oregon Biotech Summit
Team #SD15 joined Oregon's Annual Biotech Summit this week at Twist Bioscience in Wilsonville. We were given a VIP tour of the work they do to advance advance new therapeutics, diagnostic tests, industrial chemicals, agricultural products, and even to store digital data using semiconductor-based manufacturing. A panel discussion focused on the benefits to locating this business in Oregon, including its worker and family friendly environment. Biotech industry is strong and present in Senate District 15. It is about innovation, investment in science and life-saving medication.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Intel, FG Chamber Lunch, Liberty Classroom
Monday was a busy day across the district as I visited Intel, the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce and Liberty High School. As part of Governor Kotek's Washington County tour, she came to Intel at Ronler Acres in Hillsboro. On Monday, the company announced their $100 billion investment plans over the next 5-years in the U.S. that will bring new investment to Oregon, including plans for:
- Ongoing advancement of the company’s existing technology development facilities at the Gordon Moore Park campus. This substantial upgrade will usher in the latest in process technology and tools, putting the campus at the forefront of innovation.
- The world’s first high-numerical aperture extreme ultraviolet (High-NA EUV) lithography tool is planned to dock this year.
- Initiation of the application process for permits to enable a potential future multibillion-dollar expansion to Intel’s R&D and manufacturing capacity.
For lunch I went to the Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce to speak at their monthly lunch meeting. Thank you to the members for hosting a conversation about the Oregon Chips Act and Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing industries, a subject I am always very happy to talk about.
I ended the afternoon with a trip to Liberty High School to speak with Amy Fifth-Lince's Civics Class. The students talked about issues on their mind, including gun violence prevention, homelessness, environmental policy, Fentanyl and more. I always appreciate these conversations and hearing their perspectives. They inquired about wanting to know my position and feelings about gun violence prevention, which was timely after following the tragic shooting that occurred in Hillsboro last weekend, which saw one of their fellow Liberty students injured in the shooting. Gun violence is a public health emergency that we must continue to address with common sense prevention measures. I have recently joined the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission's State Crisis Intervention Program Advisory Board and look forward to exploring how we can combat this crisis in Oregon.
In the News
Governor Kotek Visits Washington County on One Oregon Listening Tour, Oregon.gov
White House names Oregon as tech hub for semiconductors, mass timber, Oregon Capital Chronicle
Intel announces Hillsboro facility expansion, Hillsboro News Times
Senate District 15 Small Business Spotlight
Insomnia Coffee Co.
 |
|
Insomnia Coffee Co. is a local company with several locations in Hillsboro, including the Baseline location pictured here. Anyone who has had a meeting with me knows this is my go-to spot, being close to my neighborhood and serving the yummiest Chai Tea I have had. My current favorite drink is their Tea Lovers Latte. Visit them downtown Hillsboro, Tanasbourne, or one of their other locations for some delicious drinks, tasty treats and warm community atmosphere.
Find more information here.
|
Community Outreach
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday, October 28th from 10am-2pm. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Forest Grove is hosting a take back site at the Forest Grove Police Department. More information here.
Find more information and a location near you here.
Forest Grove and Cornelius - Volunteer Firefighters Needed
We have opened up applications for volunteer firefighters. This is a prime opportunity to give back to your community as well as gain experience in the emergency service field. The application period ends November 5th at 11:59pm.
To learn more information and apply, follow this link.
|
Proposed Measure 34-325: Cornelius Fire Services Local Option Levy
Information provided by the City of Cornelius
In 2015, Cornelius voters passed a levy to fund two Cornelius professional firefighters and nine student volunteers in the Cornelius Fire Department. In 2019, voters passed a renewal of the levy. The current levy, which costs homeowners $0.487 per $1,000 of assessed property value, will expire next year. Cornelius has grown, and so has the demand for fire and rescue services. Emergency call volume has increased 34% over the last five years, 14% since 2022 alone. At the same time, like many fire agencies across Oregon, the number of volunteer firefighters in Cornelius has decreased.
With limited staffing, each daily shift is staffed with two professional firefighters, supported by paid volunteers. The City’s goal is to increase daily staffing to three professional firefighters per day who are Paramedic trained in Advanced Life Support (ALS) or EMT’s trained in Basic Life Support (BLS). If the measure passes, they would be supplemented by one trained volunteer. If passed, the City also would make upgrades to equipment, vehicles, and the Public Safety Building.
The City has referred a measure for the November 7, 2023 ballot that, if passed, would replace the current levy. If the measure passes, it would provide funding to meet equipment and staffing goals for Cornelius Fire Department.
If the measure passes, what would the levy cost, and what services would it provide?
If passed, the measure would:
- Authorize a 5-year local option levy for fire and emergency services;
- Cost property owners $1.461 per $1,000 of assessed property value, or roughly three times the current levy rate. For a home assessed at $250,000, the cost to the homeowner would be about $365 per year;
- Be effective July 1, 2024;
- Upgrade emergency response services by adding three additional professional and medically trained firefighters, which would provide staffing levels consistent with industry standards;
- Provide funding for the purchase of updated fire vehicles and equipment; and
- Fund upgrades to the Cornelius Public Safety Building.
What if the proposed measure does not pass?
If the measure does not pass, the planned projects and acquisitions would not occur as proposed, and property taxes would not be increased. The current levy expires in November 2024.
This information was reviewed by the Oregon Elections Division for compliance with ORS 260.432
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
| 
