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Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
NEW YEAR, STRONGER OREGON: What’s Changing in 2023
 In 2023, the Legislature was focused on the issues that matter most to Oregonians, and many of these new laws will go into effect in January 2024. These policies will address many of the most urgent challenges facing our state and positively impact the day-to-day lives of Oregonians, including:
- Improving voter-approved Measure 110,
- Educating Oregon kids about the dangers of fentanyl,
- Converting commercial buildings to housing,
- Training more childcare workers and nurses,
- Putting money back in working families’ pockets with the Oregon Kids Credit,
- Upgrading school HVAC systems,
- And more!
So what does this mean for you? To see a full list of bills going into effect, click here.
Clean Cosmetics Buying Guide
 In the 2023 Legislative Session, I sponsored SB 546 which will ban certain chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products and require the Oregon Health Authority to adopt and maintain a list of designated high priority chemicals of concern used in cosmetic products and periodically review and revise their list. I worked this bill in partnership with the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) and recently, OEC in partnership with Oregon Metro, released a toxic free personal care products buying guide for the holidays for basic items like sunscreen, lotion, and kid’s products. While SB 546 will tackle the most commonly found carcinogens in cosmetics and personal care products, the law’s regulations on these chemical classes will become active in 2027. Until then, we hope that this handy guide to affordable toxic-free purchasing can help you and your family this holiday season and beyond! Access the guide and find more information here.
Listen. Learn. Act.
Hillsboro Police Department Ride Along
It was a beautiful (but chilly) day in the neighborhood for my ride-along with the Hillsboro Police Department last weekend. I appreciated Officer Angie Wahl for taking me out during her shift. She took every opportunity to talk to kids playing outside, to give them HPD stickers and create positive interactions. Those type of interactions are an important part of patrol and SRO time and I was grateful for this learning opportunity to see what our communities are experiencing.
Community Conversation
On Saturday, I held my 119th Community Conversation at Starbucks in Forest Grove. We discussed a wide variety of topics including divesting PERS investment account dollars from fossil fuels, benefits of nuclear fusion, lack of access to long-term mental health care and drug education. It was a treat to have a couple of Forest Grove Police officers stop by for a quick hello as well. I always enjoy these informal conversations with constituents and hope to see you at an upcoming event.
Meeting with DEQ Director Leah Feldon
This week, I met with DEQ Director Leah Feldon and Government Relations team members Abby Boudouris and Logan Gilles. We had a great conversation discussing how Oregon is a leader in environmental policy and stages of implementation with the various policies that have passed the last few years. It was great to catch up and chat about protecting our planet and how we can be better about getting more timely information to Oregonians on implementation and progress.
Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Tour
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to tour the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training with Representative Evans. During the tour, we go to see police officers in training responding to situations regarding behavioral health, and mental health crisis calls. While hypothetical, the scenarios gave these officers the opportunity to practice how they would handle a real life crisis in a compassionate and empathetic way in our communities. Thank you to Director Philip Castle and team for the inside view of law enforcement training in Oregon.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Hillsboro Hops Stadium Tour
On Tuesday, I joined Senate President Rob Wagner, Ways & Means Co-Chair Elizabeth Steiner and State Rep Ben Bowman on a tour of the Hillsboro Hops Stadium with Hops President Mike McMurray and CFO Laura McMurray. We learned of their plans to expand with a new stadium at the Gordon Faber Complex that will meet all MLB upgrade requirements for Minor League teams. The Hillsboro Hops are seeking $15 million from state lottery bonds, out of the estimated $120 million cost to build the new stadium. Other funds have been committed privately and through the County and City. I support this ask because of the great benefit the Hillsboro Hops organization brings to Hillsboro and the County as a whole. Learn more about the Hillsboro Hops Ballpark Project on the City of Hillsboro's information page here.
Orenco Christmas Parade
The Orenco Christmas Parade is a beautiful yearly tradition. Last Sunday night, I attended this wonderful little community parade. There are still more parade times tonight and tomorrow. If you are in the area, this is one not to be missed! Tonight's route will go through Orenco Gardens and tomorrow, through Danbury/Orenco Woods.
You can find more information here
Storytime Reading at Indian Hills Elementary School
Last Friday, I was once again an invited guest reader to the Indian Hills Winter Assembly in the Hillsboro School District. I read a favorite, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss. Students were engaged and active participants as they listened to stories read by myself, Jahmai Cherry from Hillsboro School District and TVF&R Firefighters. There was a band performance and sing along too. It was a fabulous mood booster and a great way to send students off for Winter Break!
Storytime Reading at Hillsboro Brookwood Library
On Wednesday night, I read my favorite story again at the Hillsboro Brookwood Library. There was music and crafts afterwards and it was a great evening. I will be reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas this morning at Hillsboro Shute Park Library at 10:15AM. Come by with your kiddos if you are looking for something to do today!
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Orenco Learning Club
 The Orenco Learning Club, in Orenco Station, is a community hub! Hosting chess tournaments and lessons, game nights and other events, this is a bookstore and so much more. They are currently closed for the holidays, through December 29th, but check them out in the New Year and join them at an upcoming event. Visit their website for more information and find them at 6281 NE Cherry Dr. in Hillsboro.
Community Outreach
Happy Holidays
Information shared from Britannica.com
Happy holidays! For many, the winter holiday season is a time for family and friends, festivity, and joy. As we celebrate this season I wanted to take the time to recognize the rich diversity in celebrations and traditions we see during this time:
Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, is the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights that takes place between late November and late December. This holiday reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
Kwanzaa is an annual holiday celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu on the final day. This weeklong celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture. During Kwanzaa, a seven-branched candle holder called a kinara lights up the festivities and represents the seven main concepts of the holiday: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Christmas was traditionally a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, but in the early 20th century, it also became a secular family holiday, observed primarily on December 25 by Christians and non-Christians alike. Billions of people around the world participate in some of the most popular Christmas traditions, many of which have no origins in Christianity. These customs include decorating trees—or, in India, mango or bamboo trees; feasting (picnics and fireworks are popular in warm climates), and exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo! Para muchos, la temporada de vacaciones de invierno es un momento para la familia y los amigos, la fiesta y la alegría. Mientras celebramos esta temporada, quería tomarme el tiempo para reconocer la rica diversidad en celebraciones y tradiciones que vemos durante este tiempo.
Janucá, que significa “dedicación” en hebreo, es conocida como la Fiesta de Luces. Esta fiesta siempre cae a finales de noviembre o en diciembre. Es una festividad judía de ocho días que reafirma los ideales del judaísmo y conmemora la reedificación del Segundo Templo de Jerusalén. Las velas se colocan en la Menorá de derecha a izquierda cada día de la fiesta. Ocho velas simbolizan el número de días que la linterna del Templo ardió; la novena, la shamash, es una vela auxiliar utilizada para encender las otras.
Kwanzaa es una fiesta seglar de la cultura afroamericana celebrada en los Estados Unidos entre el 26 de diciembre al 1 de enero. El último día culmina en una fiesta comunal llamada Karamu. Esta celebración de una semana honra la herencia africana en la cultura afroamericana. Durante la Kwanzaa, un candelabro de siete ramas llamado kinara ilumina las festividades y representa los siete conceptos principales de la fiesta: Unidad, autodeterminación, responsabilidad colectiva, economía cooperativa, propósito, etc. creatividad y fe.
La Navidad era tradicionalmente una fiesta cristiana que celebraba el nacimiento de Jesús, pero a principios del siglo 20, también se convirtió en una fiesta familiar secular, observada principalmente el 25 de diciembre. Miles de millones de personas en todo el mundo participan en algunas de las tradiciones navideñas más populares, muchas de las cuales no tienen orígenes en el cristianismo. Estas costumbres incluyen la decoración de árboles, o, en la India, árboles de mango o bambú; festejos (los picnics y los fuegos artificiales son populares en climas cálidos); e intercambiar regalos en Nochebuena o en mañana de Navidad.
Ring in 2024 with FREE rides on New Year's Eve
Trimet is bringing back free rides on New Year’s Eve in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Ride MAX, buses and Portland Streetcar for free after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve!
And with special extended late-night MAX service, you can get to the celebration — and home again — the safe and smart way. Find out more information here.
Legacy Ukulele Ensemble
Please enjoy a fun holiday song, 'Carol of the Bells,' performed by Legacy Ukelele Ensemble, on December 10, 2023 in Las Vegas. Two of the members are my long time friends and constituents, Walter and Leesa Bates. Click here or on the picture below to watch.
Kroger-Albertsons Community Review Board
Community Members are needed to be a part of this review board process:
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
This will be the last newsletter of the year as Team SD 15 takes a much deserved holiday break. If you celebrate the holiday season, I hope you find the fun and joy this time of year. Enjoy the beautiful music and memories of the season. Here’s to your health, happiness and peace in 2024. We look forward to reconnecting in the New Year as we gear up for the 2024 Legislative Session.
 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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