Hello and Welcome to House District 48!

Xin chào và Chào mừng đến với House District 48!

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2024 Blackout Period

From March 22 until May 21, the Legislature enters the “blackout period.” During this time, legislators running for office are prohibited from using state resources for mass communications with their constituents 60 days prior to an election, meaning I cannot post on my social media accounts or send newsletters during this timeframe. You are welcome to reach out to my office directly, but this will be my last newsletter until after May 21.

 

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Town Hall 

Happy Thursday everyone! On Tuesday, March 19, Representative Valderrama, Senator Jama, and I hosted a joint town hall for our constituents. We had a great turnout and an engaging dialogue about policies that were passed in 2024, and what to expect heading into the interim. As we prepare for another year, stay connected with our offices by signing up for our newsletter!

Thank you to everyone who came and shared their voices during our townhall and thank you to ODHS and their staff for hosting us!

 

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2024 Legislative Accomplishments

After a tough short session, I am proud to share some of our victories! We've secured funding to support many of our underserved communities, while also increasing our investments to improve access to childcare, housing, and treatment. See my press release here or check the slides below!

 

 

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Oregon Kids Credit and Tax Help

With tax season just around the corner, you may be eligible for the 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. 

Who Qualifies

The amount of credit is based on age and number of dependent children, and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), but even people who don’t owe any tax can claim the refundable credits. For those with a MAGI of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children ages 0 to 5 at the end of the tax year. The credit is reduced when MAGI is more than $25,000 and is eliminated at $30,000. 

ITIN filers and individuals with qualifying dependents with ITINs may claim the Oregon Kids Credit. ​All filing statuses are eligible for the credit except for Married Filing Separate.

How to Get Credit

Oregon families can apply for this credit when they file their tax returns in 2024. Since the credit is refundable, the portion of credit that is more than what a person owes will be refunded to them. 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. Free tax preparation assistance can be found on the Department of Revenue’s Free Tax Help webpage. 

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/. 

Photo available at this link

Find Work or Workers with WorkSource Oregon

Are you looking for work? Are you seeking people to hire for your business? WorkSource Oregon is a one-stop career center and resource for businesses. All services are free. 

For job seekers, WorkSource can help you: 

• Register in iMatchSkills, Oregon’s largest job database
• Apply for jobs, sign up for trainings, develop a career plan and WorkSource Portfolio, and message WorkSource staff in My WorkSource
• Get a one-on-one career coach
• Match your interests and abilities to jobs you’d be good at and enjoy doing
• Learn about free training to help you advance in your career or learn a new industry
• Explore paid internships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, GED programs, and college classes
• Take part in workshops on resumes, interviewing, networking, soft skills, applying for state jobs, and more
• Use computers, internet, phones, fax, copiers, and printers in our Resource Rooms
• Get help with transportation, childcare, food, internet access, tuition, textbooks, school fees, identification, work clothes and tools, and more.

For employers, WorkSource can help you: 

• Craft job postings for improved results
• Convene job candidates through job fairs and hiring events
• Identify possible tax credits
• Provide customized workforce data analysis
• Establish market-competitive wage rates to attract and retain talent
• Grow skilled workers with apprenticeships, internships and training options

WorkSource is here to partner with you. Each year the Business Services representatives serve 9,700 businesses, post 250,000 jobs, and help with 34,000 hires. 

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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

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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

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