Your Guide to November Legislative Days

You can read our previous newsletters here.

Next week we have November Legislative Days at the Capitol and you can read more about my committee meetings during Legislative Days in the "Legislative Updates" section of this newsletter. I will also include a full review of Legislative Days in next week's newsletter. In this newsletter, you will also find:

• Information on the upcoming Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting on the I-5 Bridge
• Community Outreach highlights, including my tour of a hydrogen-powered bus and a roundtable discussion about Hall Boulevard in Tigard
• Upcoming engagement opportunities provided by our local school districts
• How to apply for Employment Related Day Care before the deadline
• Access to the AgriStress Helpline for Farmers struggling with depressive thoughts

Senator Manning, Rep. Sosa, Nona Scott, and I attended a lovely fundraising dinner last Friday night:

During the month of November, we celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month also known as Native American Heritage Month. It is important for us to honor and celebrate the culture and the contributions of those who were the first inhabitants of the United States. Oregon is home to nine federally-recognized Native tribes. To learn more about the Indigenous history in Oregon please visit here. 

The Kalapuya and Atfalati tribes were the First People in Western Washington County. There is a rich and thriving Native community in our area.  Support our local Native American communities this month and throughout the year. 

• Reach out to local cultural organizations
• Buy Indigenous-made products and shop at Native-owned businesses

To read more about Native American Heritage Month nationally, visit the Federal page here.  For more ideas on how to support the Indigenous Community, visit here. 

UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE DAYS

What Are Legislative Days?

In the Oregon Legislature, Legislative Days are a time when committees hold informational hearings on a variety of topics, but do not vote on policy or pass legislation. Topics can often be ones that may lead to legislation in upcoming sessions or committees may hear updates on previous bill implementations.  Many committees will hear reports from state agencies and Task Forces or consider testimony regarding current subject areas affecting Oregonians.

Legislative Days Committee Meetings Schedule and Agendas

Below are my interim committees that are meeting during Legislative Days. I've included the topics we'll be covering and if you click on the date, it will take you to a page where you can watch the hearings either live or recorded. I will also provide a thorough review in my newsletter after Legislative Days. 

♦Joint Committee On Transportation

11/8/2023 2:30 PM

• ODOT – Update on System Maintenance & Preservation and Status of Projects
  

• Update from Transportation Subcommittee
  

• Update from Utilities/Counties Work Group
  Sen. Lynn Findley
  Sen. Chris Gorsek
  

• Understanding Zero-Emission Vehicle Realities
  Rebecca Brewster, American Transportation Research Institute
  

• DMV Customer Service
  Amy Joyce, Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division Administrator, ODOT
  

• Newberg-Dundee Bypass Project
  Susan Sokol Blosser, Founder, Sokol Blosser Winery
  Remy Drabkin, Mayor, City of McMinville
  Denise Harvey, Tribal Councilor, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
  Bruce Starr, Dundee City Councilor

♦Joint Interim Committee On Ways and Means  

11/8/2023 8:30 AM

• Approval of Consent Grants 

♦House Interim Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water

11/7/2023 2:30 PM

• Tree Mortality Related to Disease and Pest Impacts
  Josh Barnard, Division Chief, Forest Resources Division, Oregon Department of Forestry
  Christine Buhl, Forest Entomologist, Oregon Department of Forestry
  

• Agricultural Heritage Program
  Kelley Beamer, Executive Director, Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts
  Stephanie Page, Deputy Director, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
  Natasha Bellis, Conservation Director, Deschutes Land Trust
  Sarahlee Lawrence, Rainshadow Organics, grant recipient
  Jim Wood, rancher, grant recipient
  

• Oregon Water Resources Department Groundwater Allocation Process Updates
  Doug Woodcock, Acting Director, Oregon Water Resources Department
  Annette Liebe, Technical Services Division Administrator, Oregon Water Resources Department
  Justin Iverson, Groundwater Section Manager, Oregon Water Resources Department
  TBD, Klamath Tribes
  Chris Marks, Water Policy Analyst, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation,
  Deptartment of Natural Resources
  Lauren Poor, Vice President, Government & Legal Affairs, Oregon Farm Bureau
  TBD, Oregon Association of Nurseries
  Zach Freed, Oregon Water Strategy Director, The Nature Conservancy
  Lisa Brown, Staff Attorney, WaterWatch
  Karen Lewotsky, Rural Partnerships & Water Policy Director, Oregon Environmental Council
  Kate Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Deschutes River Conservancy
  Laurie O’Connor, domestic well user
  Mike Buettner, Utilities Director, City of Bend & Chair, Central Oregon Cities' Organization,
  Water Subcommittee
  Mark Landauer, Lobbyist, Special Districts Association of Oregon

♦Joint Interim Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Education 

11/7/2023 8:30 AM

• Department of Early Learning and Care - Employment Related Day Care Update

UPCOMING BI-STATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

This Friday, I will be chairing the next meeting of the Bi-State Legislative Committee, which is a joint meeting between the Oregon and Washington Legislative Committees tasked with working out the details on replacing the I-5 Bridge.

History of the Committees:

The Washington State Legislature established a joint committee with the authorization of Washington State SSB 5806. The committee was named the Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action CommitteeOpens. The bill invited the Oregon Legislature to participate, at which point Oregon formed the Joint Committee on the Interstate 5 Bridge, of which I am a Co-Chair. The combined committees, referred to as the Bi-State Legislative Committee, comprises 16 members, eight from each state.  

Ongoing bi-state legislative involvement is essential to successfully complete the planning and design process and move to construction. Direction from the bi-state legislative committee members is shaping program work by providing the initial framework and guidance on the approach to developing key program decisions, reviewing and providing feedback on progress and evaluating outcomes. Information on our next meeting can be found below. Click on the date to watch the meeting live or recorded:

Joint Interim Committee On The Interstate 5 Bridge

11/3/2023 9:00 AM

• Program Updates
• Addressing question from previous meeting
• Design Process Update
• Next Steps
  
• Public Hearing

How to Submit Public Comment

• Testifiers will have two minutes
• Testimony will be taken for a maximum of 30 minutes
• Testimony on topics not related to the agenda, or those signed in but unable to testify because of time limitations, may be submitted in writing to ji5b.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov
  
• Submit written public comment:
  • Email: JI5B.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov (please specify agenda topic in subject line)
  • Mail: Joint Interim Committee on the Interstate 5 Bridge - 900 Court Street NE, Room 453, Salem, OR, 97301
  • Written testimony may be submitted up to 24 hours after the meeting start time.
• Register to give public comment during meeting:
  • Register online: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nAJbifJVSmr9b0
  • Register by phone: 833-588-4500 (U.S. toll free)
  • Registration closes 1 hour ahead of meeting start time.
    

SPEAKING WITH CAREER & TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to some outstanding students who are members of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), such as Future Business Leaders of America. CTSOs provide excellent opportunities in our schools to enhance student learning by delivering contextual instruction and offering leadership training, personal development, and applied learning. They assist in guiding students in developing a career path and providing opportunities to gain the skills and abilities needed to be successful in those careers. Thank you to the students who participated in today's event and to all the teachers and advisors who make these wonderful opportunities possible for our students.

TRIMET HYDROGEN BUS TOUR

ROUNDTABLE ON HALL BLVD SAFETY ISSUES

Thank you to Representative Ben Bowman for organizing a tour and roundtable discussion on the critical safety issues surrounding Hall Boulevard in Tigard. I joined several other Legislators, the Mayor of Tigard, and ODOT Director Kris Strickler on Monday for a roundtable discussion on the jurisdictional transfer of Hall Boulevard and how to address safety concerns. Hall is a state highway that no longer functions as a fast-moving throughway. Instead, it serves as a main street and community corridor connecting people with destinations, transit, schools, businesses, homes, parks, and other amenities, and needs upgrades to better serve those functions. I look forward to continuing work that began last Legislative Session to ensure that Hall can serve the people of Tigard and all of Washington County in a way that promotes safety and functionality. 

BLACK VILLAGE FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE COLLEGE WORKSHOP

HSD’s Black Village Family Advisory Committee invites you to a College Workshop from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Century High School.

Seminario sobre Universidades del Comité Consultivo de Involucramiento Familiar Black Village

El Comité Consultivo de Involucramiento Familiar Black Village de HSD lo invita a un seminario informativo sobre universidades (https://tinyurl.com/2p92c476) el jueves, 2 de noviembre de 5:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. en la Escuela Preparatoria Century.

JOIN THE FOREST GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Want to learn more about the interworking of the district? Then you're in luck. The district has three open positions for the District Budget Committee. Come join the committee and learn more about the budget process and become familiar with the operations of the district. For more details and to apply, please visit the district website: https://tinyurl.com/2sx9pdwp.

EMPLOYMENT RELATED DAY CARE WAIT LiST CLOSING NOV. 3

Apply by November 3 for Employment Related Day Care 

Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) helps families who are working, getting TANF, or in school pay for child care. If you think you might qualify for ERDC, learn more by visiting Oregon.gov/delc/erdc and apply by 11:59 p.m. on November 3, 2023. You can apply for ERDC at Benefits.Oregon.gov, by visiting or calling your local DHS office, or by dialing 1-800-699-9075.

ERDC will close enrollment and open a waitlist after November 3, 2023 because of increased demand and limited funding. If you are getting ERDC now, the waitlist will not affect you. You will continue to receive benefits.

For more information: English | 繁體中文 / Chinese (Traditional) | Русский / Russian  | Español / Spanish | Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese

To find a flu vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.gov

 

 

GET YOUR FREE COVID TESTS

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Before You Throw Out "Expired" Tests: Check FDA's website to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.

Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests?
Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

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.

​

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