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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Greetings from Salem,
We have been busy at the Oregon State Capitol, and we are only two weeks away from closing up shop.
I love it when constituents come to visit their Capitol, and last week, I was visited by a delegation of young constituents from Cascades Academy in Bend! These students had prepared pitches on the bills that most resonated with them and shared their thoughts on protecting Oregon wildlife and the Right to Repair Act. If this engaged, aware, and passionate group is representative of Central Oregon grade-schoolers, then we can look forward to the future of our District: we’re going to be alright.
In exciting news, our Prescription Cost-Share-Fairness bill passed the House unanimously on Tuesday (2/20). HB 4113 addresses a growing challenge in our healthcare system: how financial assistance from pharmaceutical manufacturers is applied to someone’s deductible. Right now, under some insurance plans, a patient can receive financial assistance from a pharmaceutical manufacturer and despite the payment being received by the insurance company, it doesn’t count toward their yearly deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. This practice has only been permitted for a few years and in those few years, it has left patients in Oregon vulnerable and in many cases, much sicker.
HB 4113 is now on its way to the Senate Committee on Healthcare, where it will have a Public Hearing and Work Session tomorrow (2/28). If you would like to submit testimony to share your thoughts on this bill, you can do so here. Check out this document to learn more about submitting testimony.
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After last week’s Public Hearing on Trenton’s Law (HB 4103), I continued the push to align Oregon’s laws with the federal regulatory framework on e-bike use and safety. Our laws around electric bicycles have not been touched since 1997, but e-bike use in our community continues to grow and technology continues to evolve. Oregon statute needs to keep up. Trenton’s Law is named after Trenton Burger, who tragically passed away in an e-bike incident this summer in Bend. Trenton was 15 years old. He was riding a Class 2 e-bike with his friends when he was struck by a vehicle and killed. Thank you to the co-sponsors of this bill for their shared commitment to community safety and the Burger family. Today, the bill passed unanimously off the House Floor.
Our original bill has changed a bit: the status quo regarding age and e-bikes will stay the same. We couldn’t come to an agreement on Class 1 v. Class 2 bikes for youth, but I strongly believe that a Class 2 e-bike is too fast and powerful for a 12 year old, and that liability needs to be clearly assigned to the parent for insurance purposes. However, in the current bill, Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 definitions will be in line with federal law, and I will continue to work on this issue in the interim.
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On the same note, when I was back in central Oregon on Friday afternoon, I was able to attend the E-Bike Safety Assembly at Pacific Crest Middle School. Trenton's Dad, Dave, the ER doctor that was on call the night of the incident, and the police officer that was sent to the scene were all there to talk to students. Commute Options also did a safety training, and students who wore their helmets for a helmet check got a cool beanie. |
Session is close to over, both of my priority bills are alive and well, and things are looking good for bringing home needed results for central Oregon. Below, please find important updates about applying for unemployment insurance, tax season resources, information on what is available to you through the Oregon Food Bank, and mental health resources available in our community.
Stay tuned for updates next week, and as always, reach out if we can answer any questions.
Yours truly,
Representative Emerson Levy
House District 53
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
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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.
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
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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.
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.
- Free services provided to anyone, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 years old and have low to moderate income
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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.
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Visit the IRS webpage to learn more
- OR find a location near you using the VITA site locator
- 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.
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.
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Mental Health Resources: Don’t suffer in silence
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:
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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/.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye
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