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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you all safe after the extreme weather event and ice storm we had earlier this month. Most parts of the state suffered significant damage with icy road conditions, fallen trees, power outages, and extreme cold temperatures. The closures, blackouts, and limited access to power and internet has been very overwhelming and stressful for many families. My heart and thoughts go out to the 13 people who died in the extreme weather event and those who were harmed or injured. I also want to thank the essential frontline workers from local community leaders, firefighters, utility crews, and law enforcement for working around the clock in the midst of these challenges. I am deeply grateful for our essential service workers for responding so quickly to help many of our communities and keep families warm.
As we’re assessing the damage and working to recover and rebuild, there are several resources and relief programs for those who were hit the hardest.
Report Damages to your Home, Business, or Property
If your home or business was damaged, be sure to take pictures, document the damage, and then make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation can help you navigate through your policy coverage and potentially insurance claims process. You can read this page to learn more about other storm insurance resources.
Additionally, the Small Business Administration is currently assessing the extent of economic harm to businesses and the potential need for SBA assistance. If you have been financially impacted, please submit a Economic Injury Worksheet by February 2nd, 2024. Here is a link to the survey.
I am hosting a Constituent Coffee at the Ackerly’s at Reed Crossing (7267 SE Circuit Drive, Hillsboro, OR 97123) on February 10th from 11 am - 12 pm. I am excited to be kicking off the coming legislative session and share my priority bills and have a conversation with the community. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and share your thoughts directly with me.
You can RSVP in advance using the form linked here. I hope to see you there!
January Legislative days were the last opportunity for legislators and the public to get updates on key issues we’re tracking and give us some insight to what’s to come in the short session.
With the CHIPS Act funding from last session, Oregon is expecting over 6,300 semiconductor related jobs to be created in the next few years. One of my top priorities that I am looking forward to taking on this session will be to create and strengthen our statewide Semiconductor and Talent Workforce to train up qualified candidates to fill these roles and build inter-generational wealth that will have ripple effects throughout the state.
HB 4154 will establish a statewide semiconductor consortium that will create sustained partnership and collaboration with industry to create employment opportunities, advance a more diverse workforce, and improve the productivity of the industry. I am proud to be partnering alongside Representatives Bynum and Sosa on this bipartisan, bicameral effort. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand existing programs and give our state economy the boost to build wealth.
I had the chance to meet with Oregon Tech, Oregon State University, and University of Oregon who are all part of the coalition and partners on this bill.
My other top priority for this coming session will be establishing the Health Insurance Mandate Review Advisory committee. Every session, the Legislature considers a number of insurance mandate related policies that are often limited in scope and doesn’t often weigh the costs and benefits to Oregonians.
In establishing a non-partisan Review Advisory committee through ffHB 4091, the Legislature will be given the information and data it needs to truly study the social and financial impacts of insurance mandates on the state as well as consider mandates in conjunction with current state and federal statutes. I see this essential in ensuring good governance and holding stakeholders accountable to best serve the needs of our state.
While we only have 35 days for the short legislative session, I am excited to be back in Salem to make thoughtful decisions that have lasting impacts and benefit the state for generations to come.
This month passed by like a blur with so many opportunities to connect in the District!
Washington County Community Corrections Tour
My staff had the opportunity to attend a tour of our county’s Community Corrections Center which prepares people serving sentences to successfully transition back into the community. We were able to learn and see what Washington County is doing in providing wrap-around services like transitional housing, employment services, and treatment to help them be successful in achieving their personal and professional goals.
They are doing truly powerful, meaningful, and transformative work with centering the adults in the corrections program.
Meeting with Congresswoman Bonamici
Earlier, I had an opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Bonamici and her staff, Kelsey. It was great to chat about our shared priorities and opportunities to make state-federal partnerships to benefit communities across the state.
City of Beaverton Future of Work Summit
A huge thank you to Mayor Beaty and her office for hosting the first “Future of Work” Summit in Beaverton. It gave legislators, community leaders, and businesses a chance to meet and discuss evolving trends in business and technology, with an important focus on workforce development.
Appointment to the State Workforce and Development Board
I am excited to be recently appointed to the State Workforce Talent and Development Board that aims to advance Oregon through meaningful work, training, and education by empowering people and employers. I believe that it’s critical that we focus on building up our workforce and creating a thoughtful, evidence-based, statewide strategy. I look forward to engaging as a new member and actively working on policy that moves us forward.
SNAP Replacement Benefits
Oregonians enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, can request replacement benefits from the Oregon Department of Human Services for food lost during the winter storms.
To apply for SNAP replacement benefits, visit your local ODHS office or call 800-699-9075. You may also email this SNAP Replacement Form to Oregon.Benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov or mail it to ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309.
You may be asked to provide:
- Proof of address
- Messages from a utility company or other evidence you were affected by the storm
- A report of the lost food and cost (you do not have to submit receipts)
Learn more on their website linked here.
2024 Tax Filing Season
Tax season is here! The Department of Revenue began processing electronically filed 2023 state income tax returns on January 29th. Make sure that you have a plan and get ready to file your taxes for 2024. Be prepared before you file an Oregon income tax returnThe department reminds taxpayers a few steps can make it easier to fill out a tax return.
- Gather and organize your tax records and wait until you have all tax records ready including:
- Forms W-2 from your employer(s)
- Forms 1099 from banks and other payers including unemployment compensation, dividends, distributions from a pension, annuity, retirement plan, or other non-employee compensation
- Forms 1099-K, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, or other income statement if you worked in the gig economy
- Use a bank account to speed tax refunds with direct deposit. File electronically, choose direct deposit and you will get a refund faster.
- Choose a reputable tax return preparer. This is important because taxpayers are responsible for all the information on their return, no matter who prepares it for them. The Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners offers a Licensee Lookup website. The IRS has a website with information.
Free options for e-filing Oregon income tax returns
All Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns in 2024 can file electronically at no cost using one of Oregon’s free file options. The IRS offers a similar option for filing federal taxes electronically.
New this year, the department is also offering Direct File Oregon, which allows taxpayers to file their Form OR-40 through Revenue Online. Direct File Oregon is not currently linked with the IRS Direct File. Taxpayers will need to file a separate federal return with the IRS before filing an Oregon return with Direct File Oregon through Revenue Online.
Oregon Kids Credit
New for tax year 2023, Oregon Kids Credit is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. This is thanks to a passage of a bipartisan bill that passed last session that helps our most vulnerable families and gives relief to those impacted by rising costs of living.
For those with a modified adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000, per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with MAGI up to $30,000.
Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Oregon Earned Income Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal credit for people making up to $63,398 in 2023 and a person who qualifies may use the credit to reduce taxes owed and maybe increase their refund. You may also be eligible for the Oregon Earned Income Credit (EIC) which is up to 12% of the federal EITC.
More information about the federal EITC, the Oregon EIC, the Oregon Kids Credit and other similar credits, go to the Tax Benefits for Families page.
Thanks for reading my newsletter, as I look forward to returning to Salem to represent our district, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. You can connect with me by emailing Rep.HaiPham@oregonlegislature.gov or by calling our office at 503-986-1436.
Yours truly,
Representative Hai Pham, DMD
State Representative for House District 36
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1436
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-282, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.HaiPham@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/phamh
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