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In this day and age, when most folks hold information in their hands every moment through smart phones or other devices, it might be easy to ask if libraries even matter anymore. However, our public libraries continue to play a crucial role in our communities, and we must find ways to help both school libraries and community libraries have the funds to maintain their staffs and budgets for needed services.
Libraries provide free access not just to books, but to a wealth of information and resources, along with assistance on how to access them. The staff at libraries promote literacy for people of all ages and provide resources for learners of other languages.
Libraries maintain documents that help to preserve our history. They offer space for community meetings and classes. They also provide a safe space where everyone is free to read, study, or just rest, and this is provided to all, regardless of ability to pay.
I was thrilled recently to be able to participate in the announcement that the State has allocated funds to match those from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, an initiative that I co-sponsored with House Majority Leader Ben Bowman. This program delivers one book a month to every child who takes part from birth to age five, and it will soon be available across Oregon. Please tell your neighbors and friends about this wonderful opportunity. Every child deserves the opportunity to develop a love of reading, which can be nurtured lifelong by our public libraries.
Thank you for reading this – and please stay in touch!
All the best,
Deb
Community Town Hall
Please join me for a Community Town Hall to learn about my legislative priorities and to share your perspective on the issues that matter to you. The event will be held in Loucks Auditorium at Salem Public Library from 4:30 - 5:30pm on Wednesday, June 12.
I hope to see you there!
New Constituent Resources Web Page
My office has created a new web page to help constituents looking to connect with local state and community resources. Our new Constituent Resources page provides links to a range of programs in Marion and Polk Counties, including food and housing assistance, legal help, veteran services, and more.
Click here to find the resources that best fit your needs.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Launches Statewide
Thanks to a bipartisan initiative, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is launching statewide in Oregon! This program, which I was proud to co-sponsor, provides a free book every month to children age 0 - 5. Families in Marion and Polk Counties can click here to enroll and view more information.
If You Experienced a TurboTax Error
An error in Intuit's TurboTax software affected the tax filings of some Oregonians. Intuit has contacted affected taxpayers and provided instructions for filing an amended return at no charge.
Taxpayers will need to complete the amended return in TurboTax, print it out, and then choose one of the three options below to file their return.
- Mail their return to the Oregon Department of Revenue at P.O. Box 14700, Salem, OR, 97309-0930.
- Bring their printed amended return to one of the Department of Revenue offices. (Drop boxes are available to accept documents after regular business hours in Salem, Bend, Eugene, Medford, and Portland.)
- Enter the information from the printed return into Direct File Oregon to electronically file their amended return free of charge.
Directions for using Direct File Oregon to file an amended state return are available on the Department of Revenue website.
Some amended returns can take up to six months to process if they require manual review due to errors or missing information. Taxpayers should make sure they follow these important steps that will allow more timely processing of their amended return.
- Make sure the printed return they file is complete, including the federal form and all schedules (like Schedule OR-A).
- Make sure they have checked the "Amended Return" box on the first page.
- Use their current address, if it is different from the address they used when filing their original return.
- Provide their direct deposit information for their refund, otherwise the department will mail a paper check.
- Sign their amended return.
Affected taxpayers have three years from the date their return was originally filed or from the due date of the return, whichever was later, to file an amended return.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson
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