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Friends and Neighbors,
It has been a trying week for Oregonians dealing with extreme weather. My thoughts go out to those who have suffered loss of life or experienced extended hardship due to the extreme wind, cold temperatures and ice storms. I want to take a moment to say thank you to our first responders, cold weather shelter personnel, city and county workers, utility workers, utility tree trimmers, and all those who are working around the clock to keep us safe, warm and restore our power. While this was the first major weather event of the year in our area, here are some tips provided by PGE, to plan for a future outage:
Gather what you'll need and make sure everyone in the house knows where to find it. Here are a few basic items, and you'll find a more robust checklist here.
- Flashlights or headlamps
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and clock or watch
- Extra batteries
- Car chargers for cell phones, laptops and/or tablets
- Bottled water for people and animals (if you rely on electricity to pump water)
PGE is encouraging customers in any area to call 211 or visit 211info.org for information on warming centers, transportation, and other resources. Customers can also contact us at customer.resources@pgn.com and they will connect them with resources to help.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1. Washington County non-emergency line: 503-629-0111.
Most importantly, when we face times like this, it is more important than ever to check on each other. Make sure you look in on older neighbors, especially during power outages and when the street travel is not safe. I love that my neighbor and friend, Elizabeth Case, sent me a text to see if I needed anything at the store. She knew I had recently had knee replacement surgery and was not going anywhere. Good neighbors and friends are a gift!
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Upcoming Events
Join Senator Sollman for a virtual Community Conversation Thursday, February 1 from 6:00PM - 7:00PM. This is an opportunity for community members to bring your questions and share your thoughts before the upcoming legislative session. We look forward to seeing you there. Register Here.
Legislative Updates
To view press release online click here.
NEW REPORT: Analysis finds bag bans effective at reducing plastic waste, litter
 
Listen. Learn. Act.
RIGHT TO REPAIR: A COMMON-GROUND ISSUE
The Right to Repair policy was filed last week during Legislative Days and is now SB 1596. It was turned in with 42 legislators signing on in support! Oregonians are asking for Right to Repair. Check out these survey results from Oregon Values and Beliefs Center. 70% of Oregonians surveyed support repair legislation!
From October 18-26, 2023, the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center conducted opinion research about issues of consumer justice and consumer rights in Oregon. This survey was conducted in partnership with Oregon Consumer Justice to assist in their mission to advance consumer justice, shape an equitable and inclusive marketplace, and improve Oregonians’ rights as consumers. This section summarizes key findings.
A strong majority of Oregonians support enacting so-called “right to repair” legislation
- 70% of Oregonians support legislation requiring technology and equipment manufacturers to make parts, tools, and documents publicly available so consumers can repair products from these manufacturers.
- 46% of Oregonians strongly support this type of legislation.
- The remaining 30% are twice as likely to say they neither support nor oppose such
legislation, compared to oppose.
 Every subgroup examined supports this type of legislation at a rate of 50% or higher,
highlighting Right to Repair as a common-ground issue among Oregonians. Majority support cuts across demographic, geographic, and even political lines often seen as dividing Oregonians.
- Support is especially high among 55-64 year-olds (83%) and 65-74 year-olds (82%), with 45-54 year-olds and those 75 and older close behind (78%, each).
- A majority of 18-29 year-olds (50%) and 30-44 year-olds (62%) are in support, but younger Oregonians are more likely than older generations to say they neither support nor oppose.
- Far from being divided, urban and rural Oregonians are more similar to one another than Oregonians in other areas (65% and 67% support, respectively), but those living in areas described as rural changing to suburban and suburban show the highest levels of support, at 80% and 73%, respectively.
- About two-thirds of both Republicans (65%) and Independent or non-affiliated voters (66%) support this legislation, alongside 81% of Democrats.
Out and About in Senate District 15
This Week's Washington County Chamber Discussion with Legislators
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Paloma Danger: Celebrating All Things Sustainable and Colorful
Paloma Danger, founded by Ixchel Paloma Lechuga, is a Latina-owned handmade brand that supports women of color in the field of sustainability. This small business seeks to make space for those on an earth friendly journey who simply can't live without the joy of bright colors or the vibrancy of their own colorful heritage. One of Ixchel's biggest goals is to create a space for that vibrant blend of ancestral earth knowledge + modern femme power to thrive.
Paloma Danger is all about meeting each person where they are right now. Sustainability looks different for all of us and that is a very beautiful thing. This earth cannot heal if we all take the exact same path. No matter where you are on your journey, Paloma Danger is here for you. Their flagship store and Creative Studio are located in the heart of Forest Grove. Shopping hours are by appointment OR during Open Crafting & Classes!
Address: 2114 Main St., Forest Grove, OR
(Located north of 21st Ave., between Diversity Cafe & Parr Lumber)
Shop online at palomadanger.com and check out their Instagram @PalomaDangerShop
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Community Outreach
Recover SNAP Food Losses from Recent Winter Storm
(replacement benefits must be requested within 10 days)
In the aftermath of extreme weather and record power outages, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon urges Oregonians that use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to act quickly. Individuals who had to throw food away due to storms or power disruptions have ten days to request replacement benefits from Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
SNAP recipients facing food loss may request replacement benefits from ODHS for up to ten days from the loss via email, phone, mail, or in-person. Users will be asked to submit a list of the food lost and the estimated cost of each. Reimbursements will be added to their current EBT card once processed. Reimbursements cannot exceed the user’s regular monthly allotment.
To apply for replacement SNAP benefits:
For immediate need, Oregonians are invited to call 2-1-1 or visit foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org for information on accessing food.
To view full press release online click here.
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Oregon Veteran Home Loan Max Loan Limit Increases to $766,550 in 2024
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) has increased the maximum home loan limit for the Oregon Veteran Home Loan for 2024, conforming to loan limits for mortgages set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). ODVA will now accept loans up to the new maximum loan amount of $766,550, an increase of $40,350 from $726,200 in 2023, for funding on or after January 1, 2024. The Oregon Veteran Home Loan Program, which has been one of ODVA’s core veteran benefits since the agency’s inception in 1945, offers eligible veterans fixed-rate financing for owner-occupied, single-family residences.
The veteran home loan product is a non-expiring, lifetime benefit for any eligible Oregon veteran and may be used up to four times. The program provides financing for purchases only and cannot be used for refinancing.
This state veteran home loan benefit is separate and distinct from the federal VA Home Loan Guarantee and has lent nearly $9 billion in low-interest home loans to more than 336,000 veterans since 1945. To be eligible, a veteran must have served on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, as documented on their DD-214, and must meet one of the service criteria outlined on ODVA’s website.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Home Loan Program, program eligibility, or to find a partner broker near you, please call (800) 633-6826 to speak with a loan specialist or visit www.orvethomeloans.com.
Glencoe High School's Electronics Recycling Fundraiser
Glencoe High School in Hillsboro is hosting an Electronics Recycling event on January 27th from 10am - 2pm. A $10 recommended donation goes towards their Grad Night Party.
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
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