|
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Summer's End
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer with students back in school and summer activities coming to a conclusion. This will be my last newsletter until after the election. The House of Representatives has a rule called the "blackout period" which prohibits State Representatives from sending mass communications in the 60 days before the election. I want to take this opportunity to share an update on some of my recent activities and a few updates on what I am watching in the district.
This update contains many subjects. You can use these links to navigate to different topics:
Hosting town halls with Representative Sanchez and Senator Frederick at the Alberta Abbey is always a great time. It is so important to hear what constituents care about and share the work we are doing for our constituents. We had questions about a wide range of topics but one common thread was the need for funding. If we want to fund our schools, invest in behavioral health workforce and fixing our transportation infrastructure, we need more revenue to the state and not going to a kicker that largely benefits the wealthy.
I don't have answers for how exactly we should be reforming the kicker but I don't think that the top 1% should be receiving $42,000 while the bottom 20% only receives $60! Oregon Public Broadcast has this extensive look at the kicker which details the 2024 $5.6 billion kicker and a history of this policy. We are now looking at another $1 billion kicker!
|
In addition to hearing about our fiscal needs, we also had many questions about other policies we are working on or plan to support in the 2025 Legislative Session. Folks from AARP came to advocate for fixing Oregon’s Workplace Age Discrimination which was a bill I supported in 2023 and plan on supporting in 2025.
We did have questions about how the state will interact with Portland's new form of government. This is a difficult question because we do not know how the council will actually work but I look forward to engaging with the new Council as we learn this new system. I am optimistic about having better representation for North Portland in this new system which we have not historically had with the current form of city government.
We had several questions about K-12 and higher education, housing and homelessness services, healthcare workforce, child care access, transpiration and small businesses. There was a question about Pier Pool and I gave the same information that is included in the "Swimming in North Portland" section of this newsletter.
|
I want to thank all of the participants who came out on one of the last Saturdays of Summer to spend time learning about our priorities and advocating for your communities. If you were not able to attend, the event was live streamed on Senator Frederick's Facebook page.
I celebrated Labor Day at the Northwest Oregon Labor Council's Labor Day Picnic. As a PROUD UNION NURSE and labor advocate, I enjoyed the chance to spend time with other union supporters.
It was a great way to celebrate the power of unions and workers!
I took some time last week joining UFCW 555 members at their picket line. I encourage Fred Meyer to bargain in good faith and reach a new contract swiftly.
I am concerned about the merger and the impact it will have on the stores in my district. The Safeway in St. Johns and one just out of district in NE are on the list of stores that would be sold in this agreement. This is an issue that I will be following closely.
|
I want to welcome all PPS students back to school for the 24-25 school year!
I had the opportunity to personally welcome students at the Multiple Pathways to Graduation program and had a chance to tour the new hayu alqi uyxat building. You can learn more about this program and building here.
I got to try out a wobble chair and use their nice new kid sized sinks that are definitely not designed for someone of my height! I got to see the beautiful makerspaces and culinary classroom, which students will get to use this year. I loved seeing the vibrant murals on the walls featuring MPG students and former graduates.
|
I know that many are concerned about this summer's lack of swimming access in North Portland. I share these frustrations. I reached out to the city to get more information on the progress of fixing Pier Pool and to get an update on the North Portland Aquatic Center.
These are the updates I received from the City of Portland.
Pier Park Pool
Portland Parks and Recreation staff and multiple specialty contractors conducted extensive work to identify the issues and how to fix them. These tests made clear that there are multiple leaks and issues. Portland Parks and Recreation are now in the process of actively seeking bids for repairs.
North Portland Aquatic Center
There are some updates on the North Portland Aquatic Center. The City of Portland will be selecting an architecture firm to design the new facility and lead permitting and construction. This firm was the lead design agency for the similarly sized local aquatic centers in Lake Oswego and Newberg. Once the firm is brought up to speed, the next round of community outreach will begin. This will likely be later this year or early 2025. You can be notified of engagement opportunities by signing up for updates on the North Portland Aquatic Center Project page.
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) invited me out to a walking tour near Interstate and Killingsworth to learn about their needs as we look at the 2025 Transportation Package.
PBOT currently has a maintenance backlog that would cost $6 billion. This does not include any new project!
PBOT roads need repaving, safety improvements and other infrastructure improvements throughout the city.
|
During the tour I learned that one of the reasons why they paint the sidewalk ramps yellow is because that is the last color that visually impaired individuals lose. I knew that they added the bumps to help folks using a cane know where the ramp ends but I did not know that is why they are painted yellow. I also learned that it is the property owner's responsibility to maintain the sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses. I was informed that there are ways to help folks who might struggle paying for needed sidewalks. If you ever have an issue with needing assistance for these types of repairs and you cannot connect with the city, feel free to reach out to my office and we can connect you with the correct folks at the city.
|
See a pothole? Report it!
If you see a pothole please report it to PBOT! I was informed that they have a goal of filling potholes within 30 days after it is reported. They do not have the ability to know about every pothole so it is important that you report any potholes by calling 503-823-1700 or 311. You can learn more on PBOT's pothole website.
I toured the Carley Boulevard site for a new Habitat for Humanity development that will offer 50 affordable homes. I was glad to hear that each home will have their own parking spot and a small personal backyard. I shared concerns about how many trees will have to be removed for the development but was told they are working with an arborist to keep as many trees as they can and will be planting new trees. I was also informed that the Belmont Goats will be relocated and the pods from the Safe Rest Village will be repurposed.
I think this project is an important next step for this neighborhood because it will be bringing permanent housing for families who have been historically displaced from North and Northeast Portland. This property will be part of the N/NE Preference Policy program which brings back families who have been pushed out of the area during urban renewal. You can watch this video to hear Deloris' story about the impact of homeownership and the N/NE Preference Policy.
 |
These homes are Habitat for Humanity properties which helps make home ownership and the generational wealth that comes with homeownership possible for families who may not be able to afford it otherwise. Over two-thirds of Habitat Portland Region homebuyers have incomes between 35-60% Area Median Income, over 70% are households of color, and one-third include a family member with a disability. Their developments use the community land trust model, in partnership with Proud Ground, to preserve these communities as affordable for future generations. They specialize in highly energy efficient, family-sized, accessible and affordable homes for sale. I look forward to meeting with them in the coming months about their legislative priorities and how we can work together to bring more affordable home ownership to Oregonians.
 |
|
I spent some time at Herman Greene's Camp Lit: Imagination and Story Camp to learn about this free summer camp. This program gives students a unique way to improve their literacy skills during the summer. I hope to see more programs like this next summer. |
I will be resuming my newsletters after the November 5th general election. As always, feel free to reach out to my office at anytime during this blackout period.
Best,
 Travis Nelson
State Representative
House District 44
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-275, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nelson
| 
