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We made it to the half-way point of the legislative short session! Bills are beginning to come to the floor of the House and move on to the Senate. Others have a financial component and are awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Ways & Means. Below are some of the highlights from this week.
Strengthening Our Public Meetings Laws
In 2023, I led the effort to strengthen our public meetings laws by extending the jurisdiction of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. This session, I brought HB 4117 to give OGEC the authority to issue advisory opinions to help public officials comply with our public meetings laws. The bill passed unanimously out of the House Rules Committee and also passed unanimously on the floor of the House.
This week I testified in support of the bill before the Senate Rules Committee. You can view my testimony above. A work session is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27th.
The committee held work sessions on the following bills:
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HB 4127 Creates rules and standards regarding quotas for warehouse workers. Passed in committee and was referred to Ways and Means
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SB 1514 / SB 1515 A: provided technical updates to the Paid Leave Oregon program. Both bills passed the committee and are headed to the House floor.
We received updates from the Oregon Department of Transportation regarding grant requests for roadway safety improvements, a bike / pedestrian bridge, and the development of information-sharing infrastructure on highways to promote the smooth flow of traffic.
One of the fun parts of session is welcoming people from HD30 to the Capitol and discussing the issues that are most important to them. This week, I met with high school students, behavioral health professionals, and those who are working on the front lines providing addiction services. Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with me and share your views.
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is launching a brand-new, easy-to-use online system for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. The new system is scheduled to go live through Frances Online, the same system used for Paid Leave Oregon, on Monday March 4.
The migration of UI benefits to Frances Online will begin on Tuesday, February 27. A migration period like this is normal for any big technology project; however, OED will not be able to provide customer service during the migration. This is because the old systems will go offline, and OED will not have any access to customer information.
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New UI Claimants: File an initial UI claim before 5 PM on Tuesday, February 27. Otherwise, claimants have to wait until March 4.
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Current UI Claimants: File a weekly UI claim for the week of February 18–24 by 5 PM on Wednesday, February 28. Otherwise, claimants have to wait until March 4.
Phone lines and online customer service for all UI Programs, Paid Leave Oregon, and Contributions & Recovery will be closed on Wednesday, February 28, through Friday, March 1.
UI customers will not be able to file claims, check the status of a claim, make changes to claim information, make payments, respond to requests for additional information, complete ID verification, or contact OED customer service during this time.
What to Expect with the New System, Francis Online, after March 4
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New UI Claimants: Claimants must first create a Frances Online account before filing a claim.
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Current UI Claimants: Information about your claim will appear in your new Frances Online account.
Check unemployment.oregon.gov for more information and follow OED on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) for important updates about the switch to the new system. Make sure to check your mail daily, review all letters and messages from the OED in the coming weeks.
Black History Month
Honoring the legacy of Black Oregonians: Jazz Drummer Mel Brown
 Mel Brown and Monty Budwig. Courtesy Oregon Hist. Soc. Research Library, Jazz Society of Oregon collection
In honor of Portland’s Jazz Festival happening now until March 2nd, this week we are spotlighting Mel Brown aka the “Gentleman of Portland Jazz” a prolific Black Jazz Drummer who made and continues to make a substantial impact on the Portland Jazz scene we love today.
Born and raised in Portland, Brown learned how to play music during high school and attended Portland State University before relocating to San Francisco after landing a session contract with Motown Records. He spent several years recording and touring worldwide with George Benson, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes (both with the band and Diana Ross’ solo act), Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. He relocated back to Portland in 1973 to raise his family, opened up Mel Brown’s Drum Shop on SE Grand that remained open until 1984, mentored young musicians and continued to tour with Motown artists.
Brown is still active in the Portland Jazz scene performing regularly with his B-3 Organ Group and will be performing next Thursday 2/29 at Jack London Revue. You can hear his 2019 Montavilla Jazz Festival Performance and interview here.
Don't forget to contact my office with any questions or feedback. You can do so via email at Rep.NathanSosa@Oregonlegislature.gov or by phone at (503) 986-1430. Feel free to also stop by in-person, at office H-280. I look forward to hearing from you!
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-280, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.NathanSosa@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sosa
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