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Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Updates
Emergency Housing Stability and Production
Every Oregonian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That’s why in 2024, we are taking action to address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis by passing The Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package. This package (Senate Bill 1530 and Senate Bill 1537) focuses on Oregon’s immediate housing and homelessness needs by funding homeless shelters, supporting renters, and boosting housing production and infrastructure.
This package leverages our limited state resources to make significant investments in our major homelessness relief and affordable housing goals. Funding highlights include:
- $100 million in direct allocations for shovel-ready projects within the existing Urban Growth Boundary
- $65 million for ongoing homeless shelter support
- $40 million to OHCS for rental assistance with a set aside for culturally specific organizations
- $18 million for Recovery Housing to house people recovering from drug addiction
- $10 million for land acquisition to convert buildings into affordable housing
- $3.5 million for air conditions and air filters provided on an emergency basis to at-risk individuals
- $4 million to the Residential Heat Pump Fund in DEQ
- $7.5 million to Healthy Homes, to support home repairs and improvements to lower energy usage and make homes safer
Washington County Delegation Secures Major Investments to Improve Infrastructure for Affordable Housing, Increase Recovery Services
Lawmakers deliver $19.8 million in new funding to address urgent local needs
May 6, 2024
Washington County, OR - Today, the Governor signed the Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package (Senate Bill 1530, Senate Bill 1537) into law. Between this package and other legislation signed recently, including the Oregon Drug Intervention Plan (House Bill 4002, House Bill 5204), lawmakers representing Washington County in the Oregon State Legislature are celebrating $19.8 million in new funding to address urgent local needs. These investments will go towards improving infrastructure to support the construction of new, affordable housing and increase availability of drug treatment and recovery services.
“This session, we were laser-focused on the most urgent issues impacting Oregonians every day, especially the homelessness and drug crises,” said Senator Janeen Sollman (D - Hillsboro). “We want every neighborhood to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family, and I know that this funding will get us closer to achieving that goal.”
Major projects secured by lawmakers include:
- Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment project development, Beaverton and Hillsboro locations ($8.9 million) – HB 5204
- Drinking water for new neighborhoods in the Cooper Mountain Community Plan Area via the Kemmer Booster Pump Station ($3 million) – SB 1530
- Upgrading the pump station on SW 189th Avenue in Beaverton to support more housing ($3 million) – SB 1530
- Sewer and stormwater infrastructure improvements for housing development in the City of Tigard ($1.5 million) – SB 1530
- Down payment and operational support for housing sites across Washington County through Bridges to Change ($1.5 million) – SB 1530
- Down payment and operational support for Transcending Hope Familias Transcendiendo ($1 million) – SB 1530
- Transition home for Free on the Outside, Inc ($750,000) – SB 1530
Read the full press release here.
Oregon Tax Filing Updates
Some Oregon taxpayers experienced a TurboTax error
Information provided by the Oregon Department of Revenue
Recent media stories have highlighted an error in Intuit’s TurboTax tax filing software that affected the tax filings of some Oregonians. We wanted to provide you with some additional information in the event you or your constituents have questions.
Intuit has identified an error in selecting the best deduction option (standard versus itemized) for some Oregon taxpayers using TurboTax software. This week, Intuit is notifying over 12,000 individuals impacted by the error. Intuit has provided more information on their website.
If taxpayers have questions, they can call TurboTax at 844-333-2161 (Monday–Friday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time) to speak with a specialist. Mention 2023 Oregon Itemized Deductions so they know what the call is about.
Listen. Learn. Act.
Oregon Coast Economic Summit
This week I enjoyed a wonderful time at the Oregon Coast Economic Summit in Lincoln City. I so appreciate leaders taking the time to make our state feel a little smaller by connecting us through local issues facing coastal towns. Thank you to Chair, Representative David Gomberg, and the Coastal Caucus for their great leadership.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Yom HaShoah - Day of Remembrance
It was an honor to take part in a peaceful remembrance of victims of the Holocaust on Monday. On Yom HaShoah (5/6), the Day of Remembrance, communities around the world uphold their memory by reading the names, ages and birthplace of those that died.
As stated by the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, "Unto Every Person There Is a Name seeks to defy indifference and historical revisionism, which denies that the Holocaust ever happened, by personalizing the individual tragedy of the dead and the survivors. By keeping the memory of the victims alive, we fulfill one of the vital tenets of our collective experience – zachor – to remember."
Naomi, who is pictured below, is reading the names of 33 family members that died in the Holocaust.
I came to honor the memory of my friend, constituent and Holocaust Survivor, Alter Wiener. A man that always strived to break the cycle of hatred through his real-life stories to students.
Community Conversation in Forest Grove
Last week, I enjoyed a great show of community at my May Community Conversation in Forest Grove. I always appreciate the connections we discover when we get to talking around the table and what we fill the time talking about. My next Community Conversation will be a virtual one in June. Stay tuned for details.
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Nan's on Third
This weekend I had fun shopping at Nan's on Third. It was a great way to celebrate the wrap of National Small Business Week, but anytime is a good time to shop local and support a small business. Nan's on Third is a women's consignment boutique located at 125 SE 3rd Avenue in Hilsboro. Find more information and check out their hours of operation here.
Community Outreach
Mental Health Awareness Month
Shared from Pew Charitable Trusts
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. A time for the nation to recognize and address the importance of mental well-being, impacting every U.S. community.
People in America have long grappled with mental health conditions and substance use, and for many individuals, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues. The numbers are stark: In 2021, nearly 1 in 4 adults had a mental illness; nearly 1 in 3 adults had a substance use disorder or mental illness; and more than 12 million adults had serious thoughts of suicide.
The Pew Charitable Trusts conducts research and supports policies to improve behavioral health in America, including increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder, making suicide screening a routine part of health care delivery, and improving crisis care in communities so people in distress can have access to health-focused treatment instead of the first response coming from law enforcement.
FIVE FACTS UNDERSCORING THE URGENCY OF THIS ISSUE
Create Defensible Space This Wildfire Awareness Month
News Release from Oregon State Fire Marshal Posted on FlashAlert: May 6th, 2024 7:53 AM
SALEM, Ore. – May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal is encouraging all Oregonians to get prepared for the upcoming wildfire season. Creating defensible space is one of the most important things you can do to protect your home and increase the chances it will survive a wildfire.
The OSFM offers free defensible space assessments to Oregonians who want to start creating defensible space or those who want to optimize their current plan. For a limited time, people living in select areas of the state may be eligible for a $250 payment after receiving an assessment. Request an assessment and read more details at www.oregondefensiblespace.org.
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“Creating defensible space might feel overwhelming but taking it one project at a time can go a long way in protecting your home,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “May is a great time to tackle these projects before the heat of summer arrives.”
A few projects you can consider this month include:
- Space and prune trees.
- Remove leaves, needles, wood, bark mulch, and other debris from within 100 feet of buildings or to the property line.
- Remove leaves, needles, and other debris from roofs and gutters.
- Move flammable material away from the outside of your home, including mulch, flammable plants, leaves, and needles.
- Prevent plants from growing directly under the eaves; a minimum of five feet away is recommended.
- Keep firewood piles and lumber at least 30 feet from any structure.
- Maintain the plants in your yard. Clean out old leaves or pine needles from your plants and prune away dead parts.
For a detailed guide on how to create defensible space at your home, click here.
When creating defensible space, you may have debris to get rid of. The OSFM suggests chipping, composting, or recycling it. If you must burn the debris, follow all local burning restrictions and be safe when using fire. Escaped debris burns are the number one cause of human-sparked fires in Oregon.
During Wildfire Awareness Month, the OSFM, along with our partners, is encouraging, empowering, and informing Oregonians to help prevent and prepare for wildfire. For more resources and information, visit the OSFM’s Wildfire Awareness Month webpage.
Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Online Forum May 14th
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board is hosting online community forums. Come and learn why drug costs are so high and share your story about how medication costs have affected your health, budget, and life. Take the survey located on the PDAB website. Haga clic aquí para obtener información en espanol.
Online forum
Find more information here.
Enjoy the Sun and Stay Safe - Cold Water Safety Tips
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 Senate District 15 lies on Kalapuya land. The Atfalati were the northernmost band of the Kalapuya that lived along the Tualatin River in present day Washington County. Many of the Atfalati descendants are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon today. The Indigenous Peoples of this land experienced a painful history of colonial violence, sickness and removal from their land. The Atfalati are the foundation of Oregon's past and we must honor them well into our future.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1715
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-207, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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