Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Season’s Greetings from Oregon’s Christmas Tree District!
The Christmas season is upon us and it’s beginning to look a lot like winter in some of Oregon’s passes. As a reminder before your travel this season and throughout the winter, 24/7 road conditions and traffic alerts are available by visiting tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1.
Thank you for taking the time to read this update on what’s happening in the Capitol, throughout the district and beyond. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if I can be of any assistance to you.
Wishing you joy, peace, and warmth this Christmas season. May the spirit of the holidays fill your heart and homes with happiness.
Sincerely,
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 Rick Lewis
Oregon State Representative
House District 19
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
In this Issue:
View previous newsletters and information here.
The historic portion of the Capitol remains under construction; however, various Task Force meetings continue to take place in the Capitol hearing rooms throughout the interim. To stay tuned in to what’s happening in your Capitol go to the Oregon Legislative website “Today’s Events at the Capitol” here.
When the legislature is not in session, the time known as the “Interim”, the majority of my meetings and events take place outside of the Capitol in the communities throughout the district and beyond.
The Oregon Capitol Store continues to stock a wonderful selection of Oregon souvenirs and gifts for the season. Find items that feature the Capitol, the state seal, and other Oregon products at: Shop - Catalog - Visit the Oregon Capitol
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Two of the three community meetings of the Joint Subcommittee on Transportation Planning, of which I am a member, took place on December 2nd. The morning meeting focused on the I-5 Rose Quarter Area Tolling Project. The committee heard presentations from local officials and community members on specific issues involving diversion mitigation, alternative transportation options, mitigating impacts on low-income families, and congestion pricing/demand management. Watch a replay of the 10 am meeting, view meeting materials and public comments here.
Thursday’s, December 14, 5-7:00 pm meeting takes place at the Wilsonville City Council Chamber, City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East, Wilsonville.
Presentations from local officials and community members will focus on the Wilsonville, Charbonneau, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin Area Tolling Project, specific to issues involving the impact on local residents with limited alternative routes, public transportation, and proximity to retirement communities.
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An opportunity for public comment is available. Instructions provided below will help you register to provide comment or to submit written comment into the record.
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Please note: each person testifying should plan to limit testimony to two minutes, if necessary, in order to accommodate as many people as possible. Written testimony is accepted up to 48 hours after the start of the meeting, see note at the end of the agenda.
Submit written public comment:
Email: JTSSTP.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. Please specify the meeting date/location in subject line. Mail: Joint Committee on Transportation Special Subcommittee On Transportation Planning 900 Court Street NE, Room 453, Salem, OR, 97301 Written comment may be submitted up to 48 hours after the meeting start time. Register to give public comment during Informational Meeting: Register in person at the location noted at the top of the agenda. Registration will open 30 minutes ahead of meeting start time. To view a live stream of the meeting go to: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/Committees/JTSSTP/Overview
Language Access Services (interpreter, translation, CART):
Go to: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Pages/language-access.aspx
Request services at least 3 days prior to the scheduled meeting date.
Closed captioning is available for live and recorded meetings.
Construction will start on the new Aurora-Donald Interchange next year. This multiyear project will have impacts to both I-5 and the surrounding area.
Come explore the online open house to learn about:
- The schedule.
- Traffic and other impacts.
- Road and ramp closures.
- Potential detours.
- How to use a diverging diamond interchange.
Your feedback is important – explore the open house and let ODOT know if you have any additional questions.
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It was my pleasure to attend the Legislative Breakfast hosted by Clackamas Community College in partnership with Clackamas Educational Service District on December 6th. I appreciated listening to the panel discussion that shared a learning system that serves the diverse needs of individuals by offering students multiple pathways and options to achieve their goals, as well as meeting with students, instructors, board members, and administrators.
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Congratulations to Brigadier General Alan R. Gronewold, Oregon’s new Adjutant General. It was an honor to attend his investiture & promotion ceremony in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office on November 28th.
  I am pleased to share the following information from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) published in their December issue of The Gated Wye.
'Tis the season for fire safety” is the message from the Oregon State Fire Marshal this winter. Each year, firefighters across the state respond to fires sparked by space heaters, overloaded electrical outlets, candle misuse, and dried-out Christmas trees. There are a few simple things Oregonians can do during the holiday season to stay safe and avoid sparking a fire. This issue contains a whole host of tips to keep you and your family fire safe this winter.
The winter months are prime for holiday cheer and time with family, but they also come with a greater risk of fires inside the home. According to FEMA, Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires each year across the U.S. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters, or matches start tree fires. From 2016-2020, 19% of home decoration fires in Oregon were started by candles. In December, that number increased slightly to 22%. Forty-four percent of decoration fires started by candles happened in November, December, and January. The peak month for home cooking fires in Oregon is December. The average number of monthly cooking fires for January-November is 76. In December, that number jumps dramatically to a total of 112, 32% higher than other months. These stats highlight the importance of fire safety during the winter months and taking extra precautions around holiday festivities.
  
According to the National Fire Protection Association, on average, four people die in the U.S. from Christmas decoration fires, resulting in roughly $14 million in property damage each year. Nearly 800 home fires begin with holiday decorations. These fires usually start in the living room. December and January are the peak period for candle fires.
The requirements for mitigating hazards associated with decorations found inside commercial buildings can be found in Chapter 8 of the Oregon Fire Code. During the holidays, it is especially important to ensure our schools, care homes, assemblies, and other high-volume occupancies are safe for all, which these sections of code address.
Section 806 addresses natural cut trees, obstruction of means of egress, open flame and electrical fixtures, and wiring. Something the code focuses on is that any portion of a means of egress shall not be obstructed by decorative vegetation. Natural cut trees shall not be located within an exit, corridor, lobby, or vestibule. It also states candles and open flames shall not be used on or near decorative vegetation. Natural cut trees shall be kept a distance from heat vents and any open flame or heat-producing devices not less than the height of the tree.
Section 807 addresses combustible decorative materials, acceptance criteria and reports, artificial decorative vegetation, and occupancy-based requirements.
For more than 20 years, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has provided Technical Advisory No. 22-09, Holiday Décor and Fire Safety Guidelines. It provides additional guidance on the use of decorative items during holiday seasons. This document, in conjunction with OFC Section 806, provides practical guidance for fire safety.
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In 2023, the legislature created the Oregon Kids Credit, which is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. Families with $30,000 or less in annual income can claim up to $1,000 per child, for up to five children aged five and below. Since the credit is refundable, the portion of credit that is more than what a person owes will be refunded to them.
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Who Qualifies
The amount of credit is based on age and number of dependent children, and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), BUT even people who don’t owe any tax can claim the refundable credits. For those with a MAGI of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children ages 0 to 5 at the end of the tax year. The credit is reduced when MAGI is more than $25,000 and is eliminated at $30,000. All filing statuses are eligible for the credit except for Married Filing Separate.
How to Get Credit
Eligible families need to file an Oregon state income tax return—something many of them may have never done because their low incomes mean they haven’t had a filing requirement. Families may need help with filing a return – learn more here about Oregon Kids Credit and other programs. Learn more here about free tax preparation assistance and resources.
Below is a newsletter article from the Oregon Employment Department regarding call-wait times and eligibility review delays for Oregonians seeking Unemployment Insurance benefits.
“Some of you may have recently filed for unemployment insurance benefits. Unfortunately, call-wait times for the Unemployment Insurance program have been increasing over the last several weeks. Due to a lack of federal funding, the Oregon Employment Department doesn’t have enough people to keep up with the volume of calls it’s receiving. So, we encourage people to try other options before they call to save time and get the answers they need. This will free up the phone lines for people who have more complex problems or interpretation needs and allow staff to spend more time working on claims.
We understand how important it is to get the information you need, so here are some other options:
- Online Claim System – This is the fastest, easiest way to check on the status of your claim. You don’t need to wait on hold when you can get quick answers with the Online Claim System, the department’s safe and secure website. You can use it to apply for benefits, file a weekly claim for benefits, restart your claim, and more.
- Read your letters from the Employment Department – The department will send you letters with questions about your eligibility, instructions on how to maintain your eligibility, and what to do about any issues on your claim.
- Contact Us form – There is an easy online method to quickly send the department a question or information. Use the Contact Us form to send a message quickly and securely without waiting on hold. It’s also available in Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese. There is no need to send more than one Contact Us form, or “ticket,” or to call after you’ve submitted a ticket.
You can learn more about the Unemployment Insurance Program at unemployment.oregon.gov, by reading the Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook, or by listening to the handbook”.
This year marks the 82nd Anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that thrust the United States into World War II.
In remembrance, we pay tribute not only to the military personnel but also to the civilians who endured the chaos and uncertainty of that day. Stories of loss, courage, and survival are more than a historical event; they are a symbol etched in the collective memory of our nation. On this day, we remember the sacrifice and the resilient spirit of those who rose to fight for our freedoms and those who gave their all in the service of our country.
In late November, while traveling through the district, I snapped a photo of this sunset that was too beautiful not to share. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-385, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis
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