Hello and Welcome to House District 48!

Xin chào và Chào mừng đến với House District 48!

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2024 Legislative Short Session 

I have been working diligently as a Vice Chair on the Early Childhood and Human Services Committee, as a member of the House Education Committee, and as a member of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education. 

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Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, as we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of the enduring impact of his tireless efforts in the pursuit of justice, equality, and civil rights. Dr. King's vision for a better, more inclusive America continues to inspire us all.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a society where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background. As we honor Dr. King's memory, let's also acknowledge the work that still lies ahead to achieve his dream of a truly equitable nation.

Let this day continue to serve as a call to action, prompting us to engage in meaningful conversations, advocate for justice, and strive for positive change in our community. Together, we can build a future that reflects the values of equality, compassion, and unity that Dr. King championed.

In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., let us rededicate ourselves to the principles that bind us as a nation and work towards a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

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Joint Town Hall with Rep. Valderrama and Senator Jama

On Thursday, January 18th Representative Andrea Valderrama, Representative Hoa Nguyen, and Senator Kayse Jama will be hosting their Winter Town Hall at Our Just Future, and you’re invited! Our Just Future’s offices are located in the building next to the Gateway Discovery Park. 

   Date: Thursday, January 18th 

   Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

   Where: 10550 NE Halsey St., Portland, OR, 97220 

This Town Hall will focus on Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services. Senator Jama and Representatives Valderrama and Nguyen will share 2024 Short Session priorities. Rep. Valderrama will specifically speak to the work of the Joint Interim Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response and spend time connecting with constituents and community members. Rep. Nguyen will speak to her work on Childcare Facilities and Newcomer Pilot Program for Immigrants and Refugees, and Senator Jama will share his priorities and goals as Chair of the Senate Housing and Development Committee. 

Interpretation services and accommodations available upon request. Please note upon RSVP.

We do have a capacity limit, so RSVP as soon as possible. And ask questions below ahead of the town hall! 

If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP HERE!

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January Legislative Days Update

Early Childhood and Human Services Committee:

This was an exciting committee for Representative Nguyen’s office, as she was able to introduce both of her priority Legislative Concepts for the 2024 short session: Newcomer Humanitarian Investment and Child Care Infrastructure: Expanding Rural & Culturally Responsive Care Seekers!

Oregon’s Newcomer Humanitarian Investment 

The Program aims to provide comprehensive support services to Newcomers who otherwise have very little to no systemic support. It will offer a range of essential services, including shelter, food, healthcare, education access, and employment assistance, with a focus on long-term support. These services will be offered through existing avenues when possible and will be coordinated through Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The program's funding model includes a tiered per capita competitive grant process and prioritizes the equitable and consistent support of basic needs for all participants. Oversight will involve both fiscal audits and behavioral oversight by an advisory body to ensure program compliance and accountability.

The Child Care Infrastructure: Expanding Rural & Culturally Responsive Care Seekers, updates HB 3005 (2023) to create a Home-Based & Small Center Fund within the Child Care Infrastructure Fund. It will allocate $5 million from the general fund to the currently existing Child Care Infrastructure Fund housed in the Department of Early Learning and Care. A minimum of this $5 million allocation must be used to support home-based and small center providers (defined as licensed to serve 75 or fewer children) and allow no more than 10% of the $5 million general fund allocation to be used for technical assistance that is to be administered by the Department of Early Learning & Care. 

The committee also was presented with Legislative Concepts regarding: Scope of Child Abuse Investigations, Legal Aid for Citizenship and Immigration, Emergency High Acuity Youth Initiative, Culture of YES, and Nurse-Family Partnership

House Education Committee:

More Legislative Concepts and Bill Implementation updates this session: Hunger Free Schools, Literacy Implementation and Updates, Recovery Schools, and Regional Inclusive Services.

Joint Ways and Means Education Subcommittee:

Higher Education Coordinating Commission – Educator Professional Development Programs

Teacher Standards and Practices Commission – Licensing and Investigations Backlog

Department of Education – Director of School Facilities

Department of Education – Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education

Department of Education – Early Literacy Success Community and Tribal Grants

Department of Early Learning and Care – Birth Through Five Literacy Plan

Board of Pharmacy – Investigation Position and Reclassification

Board of Dentistry – DAS Shared Financial Services Transition

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Winter Weather Resources

 

The weather outside is definitely frightful.

Make sure you and your loved ones are safe during this especially chilly time. If you need help staying warm, call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.211info.org/winter-and-severe-weather-shelters/

 

Here are some other resources to consider:

• Sign up for emergency alerts in Oregon (including severe weather alerts)
• Utility Assistance: please visit https://www.211info.org/get-help/utility-assistance/ and search your district for area specific information
• Road Safety Tips – Oregon Department of Emergency Management
• Prepare a Winter Emergency Kit – Oregon Department of Emergency Management

New Year, Stronger Oregon 

Important, new laws passed by the Oregon Legislature took effect on New Year’s Day. These policies will directly address many of the most urgent challenges facing our state and positively impact the day-to-day lives of Oregonians, covering everything from responding to the drug crisis to converting commercial buildings to housing, expanding our nursing workforce, and more. 

Oregon Kids Credit 

With tax season just around the corner, you may be eligible for the Oregon Kids Credit. 

During the 2023 legislative session, Oregon Democrats championed the effort to create Oregon’s first-ever state-based child tax credit through HB 3235, which is a fully refundable $1,000 tax credit per child between the ages of 0 and 5 for families earning $30,000 or less. 

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. 

ITIN filers and individuals with qualifying dependents with ITINs may claim the Oregon Kids Credit. ​All filing statuses are eligible for the credit except for Married Filing Separate.

How to Get Credit

Oregon families can apply for this credit when they file their tax returns in 2024. Since the credit is refundable, the portion of credit that is more than what a person owes will be refunded to them. 55,000 children across Oregon are expected to benefit from this credit, with higher representation in rural communities and communities of color. 

More information about the Oregon Kids Credit and other tax benefits can be found on the Department of Revenue’s Tax Benefit for Families webpage. Free tax preparation assistance can be found on the Department of Revenue’s Free Tax Help webpage. 

 

Oregon Projected to Gain Thousands of New Jobs, Billions in New Investments in Semiconductor Industry

Governor Kotek announced the first 3 companies - Microchip Technology, HP, and Intel - to receive grants to grow their businesses in Oregon following a historic, bipartisan push from lawmakers to incentivize new investments and jobs. Based on initial projections, assuming all grants applied for are awarded, they are expected to generate $40 billion in new investments and more than 6,000 new jobs in the semiconductor, construction, and other industries in Oregon.

During the 2023 legislative session, I was proud to support the Oregon CHIPS legislation, which opened the door for Oregon to leverage once-in-a-generation federal dollars to solidify our place as a global leader in the semiconductor industry. 

With these investments, we are building a brighter future for Oregon’s working families and generations to come. We’re developing good-paying, long-term jobs in every corner of the state, keeping Oregon’s economy stable and competitive in the 21st Century, and helping Oregon bolster national security and protect the United States’s supply chain for everything from credit cards to cars by onshoring critical technology supply chains.

sites that distribute food to families across Oregon. Visit the Oregon Food Bank Finder at foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org to find resources near you. 

Don’t suffer in silence - resources are available to help 

The winter months can be hard to navigate. If you’re experiencing stress, grief, or loneliness, you are not alone. While it is normal to struggle this time of year, there are lots of resources out there that can help. Visit https://bit.ly/OHAMentalHealth for a comprehensive list of mental health resources, and keep reading for a highlight of resources available:

Oregon’s Behavioral Health Support Line offers 24/7 behavioral health screening, counseling services and referrals to available mental health and substance use providers for ongoing care. Callers do not need to be in a crisis to contact the line. Call 800-923-HELP (4357).

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or at 988Lifeline.org. Trained crisis counselors can help you or a loved one with any kind of mental health-related distress, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or substance use crisis. Spanish speakers can call 988 and press 2, or call 888-628-9454 directly to reach la Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio, text the word “AYUDA” to 988 or chat online at 988lineadevida.org.

Community Counseling Solutions offers free phone support from the David Romprey Oregon Warmline, for anyone. Call 800-698-2392 daily, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Oregon YouthLine is a teen-to-teen crisis and help line. Call 877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839-863. Trained teens are available to help daily, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. (adults are also available 24/7). 

The Senior Loneliness Line of Oregon is a free, statewide 24/7 call service for Oregonians 55 and older. Call 503-200-1633 or 800-282-7035 for support and resources. 

The Trevor Project offers 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. Call 866-488-7386 or text 678-678. You can also call 988 and press 3 for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults support. 

Veterans Crisis Line provides free and confidential 24/7 support for veterans and their loved ones, regardless of VA benefits enrollment. Call 988 and press 1, or text 838-255.

The Racial Equity Support Line is staffed by people with lived experience of racism and provides emotional support and resource referrals to those experiencing the impacts of racist violence, microaggressions, racial discrimination and cross-cultural issues. Call 503-575-3764, Mon. to Fri., 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For a comprehensive list of mental health resources, please visit https://www.211info.org/get-help/mental-behavioral-health/. 

 

Find Work or Workers with WorkSource Oregon

Are you looking for work? Are you seeking people to hire for your business? WorkSource Oregon is a one-stop career center and resource for businesses. All services are free. 

For job seekers, WorkSource can help you: 

• Register in iMatchSkills, Oregon’s largest job database
• Apply for jobs, sign up for trainings, develop a career plan and WorkSource Portfolio, and message WorkSource staff in My WorkSource
• Get a one-on-one career coach
• Match your interests and abilities to jobs you’d be good at and enjoy doing
• Learn about free training to help you advance in your career or learn a new industry
• Explore paid internships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, GED programs, and college classes
• Take part in workshops on resumes, interviewing, networking, soft skills, applying for state jobs, and more
• Use computers, internet, phones, fax, copiers, and printers in our Resource Rooms
• Get help with transportation, childcare, food, internet access, tuition, textbooks, school fees, identification, work clothes and tools, and more.

For employers, WorkSource can help you: 

• Craft job postings for improved results
• Convene job candidates through job fairs and hiring events
• Identify possible tax credits
• Provide customized workforce data analysis
• Establish market-competitive wage rates to attract and retain talent
• Grow skilled workers with apprenticeships, internships and training options

WorkSource is here to partner with you. Each year the Business Services representatives serve 9,700 businesses, post 250,000 jobs, and help with 34,000 hires. 

A message from the Oregon Employment Department about 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 staff to keep up with the volume of calls it’s receiving. The agency is encouraging Oregonians to explore other options prior to calling to save time and get the answers you need. This will help 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.

Here are options to get the help you need from the Oregon Employment Department: 

• 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.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Visit the Oregon Employment Department’s Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common questions. 
• 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.  

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Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud

If you have information about unemployment insurance fraud, please complete the Oregon Employment Department’s Fraud Referral Form or call 503-947-1995 or 1-877-668-3204. The department reviews all tips they receive, regardless of how much information you provide. The more details you can give when reporting unemployment insurance fraud, the more it will help them investigate.

Paid Leave Oregon - Apply for benefits and report fraud 

Oregonians who need to take time off to care for important personal life events can apply for up to 12 weeks of paid time off from work for family, medical, or safety needs. Learn more about Paid Leave Oregon at paidleave.oregon.gov, and apply for benefits online at tinyurl.com/PaidLeaveOregon. 

To help speed up your claim, be sure to supply accurate information, apply 30 days in advance of your leave if it’s planned, notify your employer as soon as possible, and follow the Paid Leave Oregon checklist.

Scammers unfortunately have been targeting the Paid Leave Oregon program. If you believe you have been subject to fraud, please visit paidleave.oregon.gov/resources/fraud to learn more about reporting options. 

If you think someone has stolen your identity, please report identity theft to your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. 

Watch out for gift card scams this holiday season

The 2023 holiday shopping season is here and the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is reminding people to watch out for financial scams that can target their pocketbook, particularly gift card scams.

Gift card scams often start with a call, text, email, or social media message. Scammers will say anything to get you to buy gift cards – such as Google Play, Apple, or Amazon cards – and hand over the card number and personal identification number (PIN) codes. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission, here are some common tactics scammers use:

1. Scammers will say it is urgent. They will say to pay them right away or something terrible will happen. They don’t want you to have time to think about what they are saying or talk to someone you trust. Slow down. Don’t pay. It is a scam. 
2. Scammers will tell you which gift card to buy (and where). They might say to put money on an eBay, Google Play, Target, or Apple gift card. They might send you to a specific store – often Walmart, Target, CVS, or Walgreens. Sometimes, they will tell you to buy cards at several stores, so cashiers will not get suspicious. The scammer also might stay on the phone with you while you go to the store and load money onto the card. If this happens to you, hang up. It is a scam. 
3. Scammers will ask you for the gift card number and PIN. The card number and PIN on the back of the card lets scammers get the money you loaded onto the card — even if you still have the card itself. Slow down. Don’t give them those numbers or send them a photo of the card. It is a scam.

Scammers tell different stories to get you to buy gift cards so they can steal your money.

• Scammers say they are from the government. They say they are from the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or even the Federal Trade Commission. They say you have to pay taxes or a fine. However, government agencies will not contact you to demand immediate payment, and they never demand payment by gift card. It is a scam. 
• Scammers say they are from tech support. They say they are from Microsoft or Apple and there is something wrong with your computer. They ask for remote access and say to pay them to get it fixed. Don’t give them access to your computer. It is a scam. 
• Scammers say they are a friend or family member with an emergency. If the scammer uses voice cloning, they may even sound just like your loved one. They ask you to send money right away – but not to tell anyone. It is a scam. If you are worried, contact the friend or relative to check that everything is all right. 
• Scammers say you have won a prize. But first, they tell you to pay fees or other charges with a gift card. It is a scam. No honest business or agency will ever make you buy a gift card to pay them for a prize. And did you even enter to win that prize? 
• Scammers say they are from your utility company. They threaten to cut off your service if you don’t pay immediately. Utility companies don’t work that way. It is a scam. 
• Scammers ask for money after they chat you up on a dating website. Romance scammers will make up any story to trick you into buying a gift card to send them money. Slow down. Never send money or gifts to anyone you have not met in person – even if they send you money first. 
• Scammers send a check for way more than you expected. They tell you to deposit the check and give them the difference on a gift card. Don’t do it. It is a scam. That check will be fake and you will be out that money.

To help prevent yourself from getting scammed, DFR offers these reminders:

• Don’t answer unknown numbers – block unwanted calls and text messages. 
• Don’t give personal identifying information to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails. Hang up, look up their number, and call them to verify.
• Be skeptical. Ask questions and be wary of offers “too good to be true.” 
• Resist the pressure to act immediately. Scammers use urgency as a tool. 
• Stop and talk to someone you trust. Talking about it can help you spot the scam. 
• Never pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency.

Remember, if it is too good to be true, it probably is. If you feel you may have been scammed, the division’s consumer advocates may be able to help. They can be reached at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. 

Agriculture Employer Overtime Tax Credit Deadline 

The Oregon Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers who plan to apply for the new Agriculture Employer Overtime Tax Credit that they need to set up a Revenue Online account soon.

Taxpayers who want to apply for the tax credit need to have a Revenue Online account prior to filling out an application. Applications must be filed electronically and will be available by January 1, 2024. No paper applications will be accepted. The application window closes January 31, 2024.

 The Oregon Legislature approved House Bill (HB) 4002 in 2022. The measure requires agricultural employers to pay certain workers for overtime hours worked and creates a refundable personal or corporate income tax credit for employers for a percentage of wages paid as overtime pay, starting with the 2023 tax year.

The department provides a YouTube video about how to set up and log in to your Revenue Online account. Details about the tax credit program are available the DOR Agricultural Employer Overtime Tax Credit webpage. For general questions about the employer tax credit for agricultural worker overtime, email: Ag.Overtime@dor.oregon.gov. 

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Stay Connected! 

• Facebook @RepHoaNguyen
• Instagram @Rep.HoaNguyen
• Twitter @Rep_HoaNguyen
• TikTok @StateRepHoaNguyen

You can get in touch with me directly by visiting or connecting through: 

• My Legislative Website
• Email at Rep.HoaNguyen@oregonlegislature.gov
• Call our office at 503-986-1448
• Visit my office in the House Chambers on the fourth floor, H-473

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Trong cộng đồng,

In Community,

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1448

Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-281, Salem, OR 97301

Email: Rep.HoaNguyen@oregonlegislature.gov

Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nguyen

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