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Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Virtual Community Conversation - Saturday, June 1st
Join me online on Saturday, June 1st, from 9:30am - 10:30am, for a Community Conversation. Come share your thoughts and questions and meet fellow community members. I look forward to seeing you there.
Use this link to join: Join the meeting now. The virtual meeting platform is Microsoft Teams. Please keep in mind, if you have not used MS Teams before, you may need a couple extra minutes to get set up.
Legislative Updates
May Interim Legislative Days
May Interim Legislative Days are next week, Wednesday, May 29th - Friday, May 31st. Committees and task forces will convene and hear about current issues, upcoming bill concepts and Emergency Board funding requests.
The Legislative Day agendas for the committees I serve on are linked and listed below:
If you are planning a visit to Salem, there are metered and electric vehicle charging spots near the Capitol. The historic part of the Capitol is still under construction and remains closed, but the Senate and House wings are open. Stop by my office (S-207) to say "Hello" if you are at the Capitol. Visitors may enter through the ADA accessible doors on State Street, the south side of the building. To ensure the safety of the public, employees, tenants and Legislators in the Capitol, all visitors will encounter a security checkpoint with a walk-through metal detector upon entry. Please see the Building Use Policy, Rule #15 for prohibited items.
Not able to make the trip? You can still watch the meetings from home on OLIS, the Oregon Legislative Information System. Please find links provided by OLIS below for further information.
Legislative Days Details:
First Meeting of Transportation Committee Statewide Tour to be at Portland Community College
The public is invited to testify at the Portland meeting of the 12-stop Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour.
May 23, 2024
SALEM, Ore. – Today, the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation announced that Portland Community College will be the venue for the first meeting of the Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour.
The public hearing will be held on June 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Portland Community College Cascade Campus Moriarty Auditorium at 705 N. Killingsworth Street. It will also be available via livestream on olis.oregonlegislature.gov.
Members of the public interested in testifying can register in person starting 30 minutes before the meeting begins. The committee will also hear remote testimony if time permits, which the public can register for on the committee's webpage at olis.oregonlegislature.gov. Additionally, written testimony can be submitted to the committee via email to JCT.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov.
The complete tour agenda was announced on May 10; venues will be announced prior to each tour stop.
Listen. Learn. Act.
Circularity Policy Forum Trip
Last week, I was honored to be invited to take part in the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN) and National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) Circularity Policy Forum Trip from Vancouver, BC to Oregon. The trip agenda was full of learning about extended producer responsibility policy, bottle bills, glass recycling, and included legislator visits in Washington. Joining the tour were legislators from across the United States, advocates and industry, all learning and sharing together. Our first full day (Wednesday) was in Vancouver, BC.
On Thursday, day two of the tour took us from Vancouver, BC to Seattle to Portland. We met with Washington legislators, toured glass making and recycling companies and made it to Portland in the evening to hear from Oregon DEQ regarding Oregon's SB 582, the Recycling Modernization Act. I was a proud sponsor of this legislation in 2021. Always remember - it's Reduce. Reuse. Then Recycle.
Day three, the final tour day was spent in Portland. We visited The People's Depot, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) and ORPET, a joint venture between Merlin Plastics Supply, Inc., and Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative to operate a state-of-the-art PET recycling facility in Warren, Oregon. It was a packed three days, but I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and share with others.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Explore Tualatin Valley - 40th Anniversary
This Wednesday, I spent a beautiful evening at Helvetia's Eagles Nest Reserve Vineyard celebrating the 40th anniversary of Explore Tualatin Valley. This week is National Tourism Week and our beautiful area has much to offer. It was a great night 'Celebrating History. Inspiring Tomorrow.'
Oregon Winegrowers Association - Annual Meeting and Reception
Earlier this week I attended the Oregon Winegrowers Association Reception, following their annual business meeting. Wine bottles being added to the bottle bill was the hot topic at the event. I am currently chairing a workgroup taking on materials management for wine bottles. It was great to hear thoughts from wineries, big and small, on how they feel about the issue.
Family Justice Center - Annual Denim and Diamonds Gala
Last weekend was a fabulous night for the The Family Justice Center of Washington County. Our table was filled with ah-mazing community leaders, out in support of a good cause. During the evening, we heard from survivor, Jennifer. The heartbreaking personal story she shared is why the Family Justice Center is 100% needed. They provide a critical service to our community and I am proud to be a board member, survivor and supporter of the Family Justice Center of Washington County.
NW Natural Celebrates Project with Modern Hydrogen
Team SD 15 attended the celebration event this week at NW Natural's Central Resource Center in Portland. NW Natural has teamed up with Modern Hydrogen on a three-year demonstration project to produce clean hydrogen using a process called methane pyrolysis. Hydrogen generated on site at NW Natural’s Central Resource Center is turned into energy. Solid carbon captured from the process is collected for use in Modern Hydrogen’s proprietary asphalt product for use in applications such as paving and road repair projects. The project, thanks to the dedication of workers, building trade partners and innovators in climate technology, is the latest step in NW Natural’s journey toward a lower-carbon future.
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Methane pyrolysis is the process in which thermal energy is applied to methane (CH₄) to break the chemical bond between carbon and hydrogen, generating hydrogen gas and a solid carbon product with no CO2 emissions. (Only a small portion of methane remains unreacted depending on the reactor's efficiency).
~ThirdDerivative.org
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Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Hillsboro Headshots by Lee Gochenour
Lee Gochenour is a Headshot and Commercial photographer based out of the beautiful Hillsboro, Oregon. In addition to headshots, Lee offers Commercial Photography, Branding Photography and more. Lee has been a friendly face around many local events in Hillsboro, capturing the community's best moments. Visit Hillsboro Headshots website here to see Lee's work and learn more.
Intern Corner
The Influence of Social Media on Political Mobilization and Public Protests
The influence of social media on political mobilization and public protests has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of contemporary activism. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram have become pivotal tools for activists to organize, communicate, and amplify their messages. Social media enables quick dissemination of information, allowing movements to gain momentum and coordinate actions with unprecedented speed. This has been evident in various situations, such as the Arab Spring and recent Palestinian encampments on college campuses, where social media played a critical role in rallying support and organizing demonstrations. The viral nature of content on these platforms also helps to draw global attention to local issues, exerting pressure on political leaders and institutions.
However, the impact of social media on political mobilization is not without complexities. While it facilitates the spread of information and mobilizes supporters, it can also act as a double-edged sword. The same platforms that empower activists can be used for surveillance and the spread of misinformation. Governments and opposition groups have increasingly leveraged social media to track and counter dissent, sometimes leading to crackdowns on protestors. The echo chamber effect can reinforce existing biases and polarize public opinion, potentially leading to fragmented and less effective movements. Despite these challenges, the role of social media in political mobilization and public protests remains transformative, offering more new possibilities for civic engagement and political change.
~Mari Park
Community Outreach
Memorial Day Observance in Forest Grove - Monday, May27th at 11:00am at Forest View Cemetery
ODVA to Host Statewide Memorial Day Event in Salem
Shared from Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host Oregon’s annual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony in person at 11 a.m., Monday, May 27, at the Oregon World War II Memorial, located at the intersection of Cottage and Court Street NE on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.
This event honors Oregon’s fallen service members from all eras of service and will include remarks from ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels and Oregon Adjutant General Alan R. Gronewold, along with other veteran leaders and state dignitaries.
Learn more here.
Adult Summer Reading 2024
Shared from Forest Grove City Library
Our Adult Summer "Read for a Cause" program was such a hit in 2023 that we've decided to bring it back. And we're very excited to announce that the library's community partner this year will be Meals on Wheels People!
Registration for "Read for a Cause" starts on June 1st and the program runs through August 15th. Watch this space for more details as well as instructions on how to participate!
Hillsboro Hops - Play Ball Weekend
 Shared from the Hillsboro Hops
Date: Saturday, June 15th
Time: 11am-1pm
Ages: 5-10 years old
The Hillsboro Hops have partnered with Nike Diamond and Friends of Baseball to offer eight (8) FREE youth clinics all around the Portland metro area on Saturday, June 15th. Participants will rotate through 4 elementary level stations ran by Hops players/coaches, Hops front office staff, Nike staff, and community volunteers. Participants will also receive “swag bags” with items donated from the Hops, Friends of Baseball and Nike, including Nike t-shirts. All participants must pre-register.
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend Clínica de Béisbol (Glencoe HS): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219920-pbw-hillsboro-hops-clnica-de-bisbol---hillsboro-2024
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend Hillsboro Clinic (Hillsboro Ballpark): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219913-pbw-hillsboro-hops-play-ball-weekend---hillsboro-2024
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend Girls Softball Clinic (Champions Park): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219942-pbw-hillsboro-hops-play-ball-weekend---softball-clinic---beaverton-2024
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend Tigard Clinic (Cook Park): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219915-pbw-hillsboro-hops-play-ball-clinic---tigard-2024
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend Scappoose Clinic (Scappoose HS): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219916-pbw-hillsboro-hops-play-ball-clinic---scappoose-2024
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend North Portland Clinic (University Park): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219917-pbw-hillsboro-hops-play-ball-clinic---n-portland-2024
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend NE Portland Clinic (Normandale Park): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219918-pbw-hillsboro-hops-play-ball-clinic---ne-portland-2024
Hillsboro Hops Play Ball Weekend SE Portland Clinic (Harrison Park): http://hillsborohops.leagueapps.com/events/4219919-pbw-hillsboro-hops-play-ball-clinic---se-portland-2024
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Honoring Those Who Served and Their Families
This Memorial Day, I’m thinking about how grateful I am to the members of the military and their families who selflessly sacrifice so much to keep us safe.
As your Senator, it’s my honor to work to make it easier for veterans and military families to live and thrive in our state. We can never fully repay our fallen heroes, but we must continually try.
Some efforts I’m particularly proud of from recent legislative sessions include:
Building a New Veterans Home in Roseburg (HB 5701, 2024)
Every veteran deserves a safe place to live. The Legislature invested $35 million to build a new home for more than 150 veterans in Roseburg, OR where they can receive essential long-term skilled nursing, memory, and rehabilitative care.
The Veterans Educational Bridge Grant Law (HB 2271, 2023)
This new law addresses the challenges faced by student veterans who encounter obstacles in completing their academic or training programs. The program offers grants of up to $5,000 to veterans that meet the eligibility requirements. The bill will expand eligibility for the program, allowing more veterans to qualify and receive support. This bill also makes this program permanent, ensuring long-term assistance for student veterans pursuing their education.
Ensuring unclaimed veterans' remains are properly interred (House Bill 2147, 2023)
Unfortunately, some veterans’ remains are never claimed and can sit in bureaucratic limbo for years, instead of receiving the honor they deserve. This new law makes sure all of our fallen veterans can be brought home and laid to rest.
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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