What a Year... and it's only February!
Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 02/26/2024 09:00 AM PST
Hello and Welcome to House District 48!
Xin chào và Chào mừng đến với House District 48!
2024 Legislative 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.
New Rep. Nguyen Team Member!
Introducing Gabe Gonzales, a freshman at Portland Community College, joining our team as an intern! Gabe is pursuing a Biology Pre-Dental major with a minor in Political Science. Outside of academics, Gabe enjoys thrifting, lifting, and hiking. Need recommendations for cool hikes around the Portland Metro? Gabe's got you covered! Feel free to reach out and welcome Gabe to the team!
Lunar New Year Tree Planting with Portland Parks & Rec and OCAPIA
On Saturday, February 10th, we, together with fellow community members, planted nine trees at Gates Park in the Powell Hurst Gilbert neighborhood to commemorate Lunar New Year. These trees represent the principles of growth, renewal, and prosperity, essential aspects of this festive occasion.
We started off our event with Tai Chi with the Taoist Tai Chi Society and then had members from Portland Parks and Rec to help community members plant the trees! Additional partners were Commissioner Joselito Tanega and Commissioner Sam Phan (who is also my chief of staff!) from the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OCAPIA). Commissioner Tanega and I each shared words highlighting the importance of community, culture, and green spaces.
After the planting, we gathered under our tents to eat food provided by Cha Lua Deli. There were Lunar New Year-themed crafts for kids and adults to create and take home.
Below is the album with photos from the event!
Thank you to Portland Parks & Rec Urban Forestry and the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs for having this event in our district!
Hosting Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion Students
On February 20th, Representative Nguyen and the rest of the "Viet Phab Five" had the honor of hosting the Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion (VDLI) students from Rose City Park Elementary, Roseway Heights Middle, and McDaniel High Schools in Portland Public Schools.
The Vietnamese Immersion program, initiated in 2012, caters to students from Kindergarten to 6th Grade, teaching core subjects in both English and Vietnamese with the aim of bilingualism and biliteracy. Until 5th Grade, students follow a 50:50 model, learning half the day in each language, with teaching conducted comprehensibly without translation. From 6th Grade onwards, the program transitions to immersion continuation, where students devote one-third of their academic day to Vietnamese language instruction alongside English instruction in core subjects. Parents and students need not possess prior Vietnamese proficiency for success in the program.
We all had a blast meeting so many students, showing them the legislative process, and enjoyed lunch and a walk with the kids!
Introducing the Child Care Alliance
Rep. Nguyen Re-establishes the Child Care Alliance, Announces Legislative & Funding Priorities for 2024
SALEM, Ore. – Rep. Hoa Nguyen (D-East Portland and Damascus), a first-term legislator, current school board member, and the daughter of Vietnamese refugees spent the interim igniting the Child Care Alliance within the state legislature. This alliance consists of a group of lawmakers, community organizations, labor unions, families, and businesses who regularly meet to increase access to child care in Oregon.
“Having affordable and accessible child care is something every Oregonian deserves because it gives every family the opportunity to thrive,” said Nguyen. “We all agree - just like roads and bridges, child care is necessary infrastructure. It keeps parents working and ensures that children get the education they need and deserve. This group has existed in the past but it was not active during the last legislative session. I’m proud to be working with a diverse group of legislators on this issue that impacts everyone..”
In collaborating on the shared vision of increasing access to affordable child care in Oregon, the Alliance identifies priorities prior to each legislative session, connects the community with valuable resources, and advocates for policies and resources devoted to child care.
Once Nguyen re-established the group, legislators met with business leaders, workforce and labor organizations, families, and community organizations to determine the legislative and funding priorities for the 2024 legislative session.
The 2024 Priorities of the Child Care Alliance are as follows:
This legislation expands rural and culturally responsive care to ensure that child care providers most likely to operate in rural areas provide culturally and linguistically appropriate care, care for children with disabilities, and offer odd hour care have access to these grant dollars. The legislation is an important tweak to the existing Child Care Infrastructure Fund, which was created following passage of HB 3005 in 2023.
“Ensuring dedicated and flexible funds are available to support these providers in starting or expanding their businesses is critical to building the mixed-delivery care system parents and employers need.” Nguyen said about the bill.
This bill will help Oregon applicants in winning CHIPS grants, meet worker needs for child care, and bolster the workforce by providing child care assistance. The Federal CHIPs Act of 2022 and subsequent guidance explicitly states that business grant applicants will be evaluated, in part, based on their strategy to address childcare supply and affordability for facility and construction workers.
“HB 4098 is a win-win-win for Oregon’s economy” Rep. Jules Walters (D-West Linn) said of her bill - “for construction workers and their families, for the child care providers that work so hard to serve their communities, and for the semiconductor industry who will benefit greatly”.
Employment Related Day Care Funding
Oregon’s Employment Related Day Care program is facing a budget deficit. In addition to the budget hole, we currently have 1,900 families on the waitlist – unable to receive the critical child care assistance they need to continue working or going to school.
“The ERDC program is a lifeline for families,” Rep. Thuy Tran (D-Northeast Portland) said about her advocacy for funding this program. “It keeps parents working and ensures kids get the early education they deserve. While budget realities must be considered, at a minimum, we must invest sufficient funding so families who are currently enrolled in the program have access to affordable, accessible child care”.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reports that states lose hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity due to parents inability to access and afford childcare. It is imperative that in addition to the $99M spending authority that the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), the Legislature also allocates $75M to a Special Purpose Appropriation account(SPA). This would ensure that DELC has the ability to keep this critical program running for families already enrolled.
To learn more about legislation the Child Care Alliance has prioritized for the 2023 legislative session, follow the upcoming legislative session by signing up to receive regular updates from Nguyen’s office through her website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nguyen
About The Child Care Alliance:
The Oregon Child Care Alliance brings the expertise and advocacy of lawmakers, labor unions, businesses, and other community partners. to advance policies and investments that increase equitable access to quality and culturally relevant child care, and that fairly compensates the child care workforce for the critical work they do. In collaborating on the shared vision of increasing access to affordable child care in Oregon, the Alliance identifies priorities prior to each legislative session, connects the community with valuable resources, and advocates for policies and resources devoted to child care.
Lobby Days
On February 19th, students from Portland Public Schools came in to lobby Rep. Nguyen to discuss their Legislative Priorities!
📢📚 PPS 2024 Legislative Agenda 📚📢
On February 19th, students from Portland Public Schools came in to lobby Rep. Nguyen to discuss their Legislative Priorities! These priorities include addressing budget gaps, enhancing academic programs, supporting special education, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and advocating for policy changes such as a youth advisory committee and expanding the Community Eligibility Provision. Their enthusiasm and commitment to equitable academic experiences and racial equity in education are truly inspiring. Together with Rep. Nguyen, they are dedicated to advocating for the betterment of students and communities. 🎉📚
North Clackamas School District (NCSD) paid Rep. Nguyen a visit to advocate for quality education and inclusive communities with these priorities:
🌟 Adequate Funding: Full funding for the Quality Education Model by 2027 and Special Education.
🎓 Student Success: Protect programs for underserved students, amplify student voice, and expand anti-bias curriculum.
🌟 People & Culture: Promote educator diversity, fair compensation, and cultural training.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Community: Support enrichment activities, expand childcare options, and address health and safety needs.
💡 Resources: Ensure mental health support, tackle food and housing insecurity, and enhance school safety.
🔍 Local Control: Return decision-making to school districts and oppose unfunded mandates.
NCSD students urge legislators to prioritize full funding for public education early in the legislative session. Let's create inclusive, barrier-free schools for all! 🏫💬
OSPIRG Lobby Day for Right to Repair
On February 14th, OSPIRG paid a visit to Rep. Nguyen to discuss the "right to repair" movement which advocates for legislation that mandates companies to provide consumers and small businesses with access to parts, tools, and repair documentation for various products, including electronics and household appliances, at fair and reasonable terms. States like Minnesota, Colorado, and California have already passed such bills. Representative Nguyen is proud to be a sponsor to this bill, SB 1596!
In Oregon, the right to repair would not only save families money, with the potential for each household to save an average of $382 annually, but also help bridge the digital divide by empowering schools and refurbishing markets. Additionally, it would contribute to environmental protection by reducing electronic waste and lowering the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new devices. Furthermore, the right to repair supports small businesses by creating more opportunities for growth and enabling employees to gain valuable STEM skills.
On February 15th, we were visited by some of our favorite constituents on behalf of MCAT (Metro Climate Action Team)! KB Mercer and Brian Ettling! We are so thankful for the work they do for the environment in our district and we appreciate them keeping us informed on impactful issues.
Their key legislative agenda includes efforts to simplify electrical storage siting, encourage clean energy technology growth, and promote electric buildings through housing production incentives. They also aim to strengthen carbon emission reduction goals, divest from coal investments, empower consumers to repair electronic devices, and develop offshore wind resources with fair labor standards. Additionally, they support marine reserve management, anticipate a study bill for fire-safe communities, and advocate for funding for various programs including Healthy Homes and EV incentives. MCAT's initiatives reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being, urging us to join forces to support these vital efforts for a greener future! 🌍💚
OED Update: New Website and Data Migration for UI Applicants
Important Message for Oregonians Applying for Unemployment Insurance
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.
Important Information
- New UI Claimants: File an initial UI claim before 5 PM on Tuesday, February 27.
Otherwise, claimants have to wait until March 4.
- 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.
Customer Service Impacts
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
- New UI Claimants: Claimants must first create a Frances Online account before filing a
claim.
- 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.
Tax Resources
Tax Season Resources
It’s tax season, and the deadline for filing is Monday, April 15. Keep reading for information on
resources, credits, and deferrals available to Oregonians.
Tax Preparation Resources for Low-Income Oregonians
Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through a
number of trusted programs. Not all locations offer free e-filing, and most services are only
available during the tax filing season. Use the resources below or call 2-1-1 to find a trusted free
tax preparation program near you.
- AARP Tax-Aide
○ Free services provided to anyone, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50
years old and have low to moderate income
○ Find a location here or call (888) 227-7669 to learn more
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
○ Offers free help to people who generally make $60,000 or less, persons with
disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
○ Visit the IRS webpage to learn more
○ OR find a location near you using the VITA site locator
- MFS-CASH Oregon
○ Virtual service is offered in addition to in-person service, mainly located in the
Portland metropolitan area
○ Visit the website to see if you qualify and make an appointment or call (503) 243-7765 to learn more
- MyFreeTaxes
○ This service offered by United Way can help guide you in filing your own taxes or
help prepare your taxes for you if you qualify
○ To learn more, visit their website or call the help line at (866) 698-9435
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.
Oregon Free Fillable Forms performs basic calculations and is ideal for taxpayers who don’t
need help preparing their returns and want the convenience of filing electronically. 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.
Property Tax Deferral for Disabled and Senior Homeowners
A disabled or senior homeowner may qualify for a program to borrow from the State of Oregon
to pay county property taxes. If a taxpayer qualifies for the program, the Oregon Department of
Revenue will pay county property taxes on November 15 of each year.
To participate, a taxpayer must file an application with the county assessor by April 15 or pay a
fee and file late from April 16 to December 1. A lien will be placed on the qualified taxpayer
property, and the Department of Revenue will become a security interest holder. Learn more at
the Department of Revenue’s website.
Taxpayer Advocate
If you think you are not being treated fairly, or if you have a problem or complaint, please contact
the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate for assistance. The Taxpayer Advocate is here to make sure
your rights as an Oregon taxpayer are protected.
Email taxpayer.advocate@DOR.oregon.gov, call 503-945-8700, or visit
www.oregon.gov/dor/Pages/Taxpayer-Advocate.aspx for assistance.
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.
Oregon families can apply for this credit when they file their tax returns in 2024. 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.
Find free food resources near you
Is your family in need of food? The Oregon Food Bank Network supports 21 regional food banks with over 1400 sites that distribute food to families across Oregon. Visit the Oregon Food Bank Finder at foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org to find resources near you
Mental Health Resources
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/.
The swearing-in ceremony marks my official representation of the new HD48 boundaries, which includes South East Portland and Damascus areas from Kelly Butte to Powell Butte, and Barton to Carver.
While most of the Capitol building is under construction, some parts of the building will be open to the public, including committee meetings and legislative offices. All committee meetings are available (as always) for virtual viewing on the Oregon Legislative Information Site (OLIS). Members of the public can make their voices heard by submitting written testimony or by signing up for virtual or in-person testimony. You can read more about opportunities for public engagement on the Oregon Legislative website.
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
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