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Dear Neighbor,
Happy September! As we enter the fall season, I hope you have had a good summer. As we enter the fall, I am gearing up for September’s legislative days, and preparing for the 2025 legislative session. It’s been a busy summer, and I’ve been grateful to attend multiple events throughout the last few months.
As a reminder, the committees I proudly serve on are:
- House Interim Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans
- Joint Committee On Conduct
- House Interim Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care
- House Interim Committee On Judiciary
- House Interim Committee On Conduct
I also proudly serve as the Co-Chair of the Oregon Veterans Caucus.
Blackout Period:
We will be taking a pause from now until November 5, so this will be the last newsletter you see from me until after the November election.
From September 6 until after the general election on November 5, 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 send newsletters during this timeframe. You are welcome to reach out to my office directly, but this will be my last newsletter until after November 5.
Power to the People & Upcoming Constituent Events:
Every first Friday of the month I host our Power to the People event at my in-district office. I would love to see you in person on
Friday, September 6th at 5:30pm
in my district office, located at
4526 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
We invite you to share your concerns and policy ideas alongside friendly neighbors.
Save the Dates:
Because of the upcoming Blackout Period, I will be unable to send an email reminding you about our October and November events:
Power to the People Events
- October Power to the People constituent event:
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Date: Friday, October 4th, 2024, at 5:30pm
- Location: 4526 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
- November Power to the People constituent event:
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Date: Friday, November 1st, 2024, at 5:30pm
- Location: 4526 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
15th Annual Bike Town Hall
When: Saturday, September 14, 2024 - 12:30pm gather, 1pm-4pm bike ride and program
Where: Start and end at The Yard at Montavilla, food cart pods on 82nd, 8220 NE Davis St, Portland, OR 97220
What: Bring a bike, a helmet, and a friend for a “Bike Town Hall” that will travel through the northeast section of Oregon Senate District 23, in the heart of Oregon House District 45.
Who: All are welcome on a gentle bike ride with a safe, organized route with planned stops and programming
After last year’s 14th edition of the Bike Town Hall in southeast Portland, this year we’ll return to the northeast for a route that will start near 82nd and traverse greenways on both sides of 82nd. At 1pm, State legislators Michael Dembrow, Khanh Pham and Thuy Tran will give opening remarks, and longtime ride organizing partners at PBOT will share the logistics of the ride for people of all experience levels. Following on last year’s event, this year we will use a “circle” pattern, meaning we start and end at the same food and drink area for lots of opportunity for mingling. Last year about 70 people joined the ride, and we hope you’ll join us this year. We expect the ride to last about 2.5 hours and cover roughly 4-5 miles.
We’ll do more than just enjoy a ride together. The ride will feature several programming stops, including:
- Vestal Elementary to discuss Safe Routes to School, street-painting, and education policy and funding with Oregon’s Senate Education Committee chair.
- Bird Alliance of Oregon to discuss the bird sanctuary and education center, the PCEF grant, and APANO community solar.
- 82nd Avenue to discuss needed road infrastructure improvements during a big year for transportation funding and planning.
- A stop highlighting inspiring housing and community work for unsheltered Oregonians
- And more!
RSVP for the event here: https://bit.ly/BikeTownHalls
Wildfires:
As the Chair of the House Interim Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, I am deeply committed to staying informed about emergencies across the state, including wildfires. My role involves actively seeking ways to reduce the risk these disasters pose to our communities. The recent wildfire outbreaks in Oregon highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate these risks and protect our citizens.
Reducing wildfire risk is not just a professional obligation for me; it is a personal mission to protect the people and places we hold dear. I am committed to continuing this important work and advocating for policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of all Oregonians.
Wildfire Programs Director's Report: Key Metrics and Current Status
The sixteenth Wildfire Programs Director's Report provides a sobering overview of the current wildfire season in Oregon, marked by unprecedented challenges and significant impacts. Here are the key metrics and updates:
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Wildfires to Date: Over 1,000 wildfires have burned more than 1.2 million acres across Oregon. This is considerably higher than the state's 10-year average, which typically sees approximately 2,000 wildfires burning 640,000 acres over an entire season.
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Current Season's Severity: With a long wildfire season still ahead, the 2024 fire season is on track to be one of the most challenging in Oregon’s history.
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Losses: The state has already lost 29 primary residences and 70 structures to wildfires. In addition, the tragic loss of firefighter James Maxwell, who died while piloting a single-engine air tanker, underscores the human cost of these disasters.
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State of Emergency: A state declaration of emergency has been issued, enabling the activation of the National Guard for firefighting efforts and allowing for additional federal assistance through Fire Management Assistance Grants.
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Suppression Costs: Gross suppression costs have already exceeded $70 million, highlighting the financial burden of managing these extensive wildfire activities.
The report also notes that eight major conflagrations have been initiated by the Governor to protect Oregon’s population centers. Daily coordination efforts are ongoing with all county and tribal emergency managers, state wildfire response agencies, and other partners to manage and mitigate the fires.
8/30 Update:
The stretch of cooler weather over the last two weeks of August has been welcome news for the crews that have been working incredibly hard this fire season to keep Oregonians safe. But fire season is far from over. Conditions have improved but hot temperatures have returned across much of the state and all eyes will be on potential east winds, which tend to shift in late August/early September. This has been a very extreme, record-setting fire season, with more than 1.5 million acres burned across the state. For perspective, the 10-year average for an entire fire season is 640,000 acres burned.
On August 29, Governor Kotek visited the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in Portland and hosted a media briefing with state and federal partners to provide more extensive wildfire updates and continue building awareness. You can read more about that visit here and find news coverage here.
Have You Been Affected by the 2024 Wildfires?
Oregon’s wildfire season this year is one of our worst to date, with over a million acres burned. Given the statewide threat, it’s important to be prepared for anything when planning outdoor activities:
Access Resources
For urgent needs, you can contact 211info by calling 211, texting your zip to 898211, emailing help@211info.org, or visiting 211info.org.
Case Management
A case manager focused on you and your family can help meet your disaster-recovery needs, such as clothing, document recovery, and housing planning. Interpreters are available.
Call 1-833-669-0554 (open 24 hours) or fill out an online form at https://uniteus.com/oregonwildfires to get connected. For urgent assistance, contact 211.
SNAP Benefits
Did you lose food you purchased with SNAP benefits due to a wildfire? Oregonians enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, can request replacement benefits from the Oregon Department of Human Services for food lost due to wildfires by visiting https://bit.ly/replacebenefits. You must request replacement benefits within 10 days.
Wildfire Safety and Prevention: Protecting Ourselves and Our Communities
As the summer heat intensifies, the risk of wildfires becomes a significant concern, especially for those living in fire-prone areas. With Oregon's diverse landscapes and dense forests, it's crucial to stay informed, prepared, and proactive. Here are essential tips to ensure your safety and prevent wildfires.
Create a Defensible Space and Maintain Your Property
Maintaining your property well can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires:
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Clear vegetation: Remove dead plants, dry leaves, and pine needles from your yard, roof, and gutters.
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Spacing plants: Ensure adequate space between trees and shrubs to slow the spread of fire.
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Use fire-resistant landscaping: Incorporate fire-resistant plants and materials in your landscaping.
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Dispose of debris properly: Dispose of lawn clippings, leaves, and other yard waste safely.
Safe Use of Fire and Equipment
Using fire responsibly and safely handling equipment can prevent accidental wildfires:
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Outdoor burning: Check local regulations before burning yard waste and always have a water source nearby.
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Campfires: Only build campfires in designated areas, keep them small, and never leave them unattended. Completely extinguish them before leaving.
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Fireworks: Avoid using fireworks, especially during dry conditions.
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Equipment safety: Avoid using mowers and other equipment that can generate sparks during the hottest and driest parts of the day. Ensure your vehicle’s exhaust system is in good condition and avoid parking on dry grass. Secure chains on trailers to prevent sparks.
Home and Building Safety
Building and maintaining fire-resistant structures can prevent wildfires from spreading:
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Fire-resistant materials: Use fire-resistant roofing and siding materials.
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Ember protection: Install screens on chimneys, vents, and gutters to prevent embers from entering your home.
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Water sources: Ensure accessible water sources, such as hoses and sprinklers, in case of a fire emergency.
Prepare an Emergency Kit and Evacuation Plan
Having an emergency kit and a well-thought-out evacuation plan can save lives:
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Emergency kit: Include water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, medications, copies of important documents, masks for smoke, and sturdy shoes.
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Evacuation plan: Identify multiple evacuation routes, designate a safe meeting point for your family, and practice regular evacuation drills.
Stay Informed
Keeping up-to-date with the latest wildfire information is crucial:
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Sign up for alerts: Register for local emergency alerts and notifications.
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Monitor news: Follow local news channels and official social media accounts for real-time updates.
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Weather awareness: Pay attention to weather forecasts, especially red flag warnings indicating high fire risk.
You can keep up to date with incident information through each incident’s Facebook page, ODF’s wildfire blog, OSFM’s incident information blog, and the federal Inciweb site.
Back to School:
During the 2024 legislative session, I was proud to support House Bill 4082, which invested $30 million in school districts to provide high-quality and culturally relevant summer learning programs in partnership with community-based organizations and tribal nations.
These funds have helped expand Oregon students’ access to school and community-based programs that boost youth engagement; accelerate academic success; nurture social and emotional learning; promote mental, physical, and behavioral health; and support college and career readiness. It’s estimated 48,000 students are benefiting and will enter the school year with a strong start.
In addition to these investments, the Legislature passed important policies that will improve learning outcomes for students in foster care and students who are immigrants, refugees, or asylum-seekers, amplify student voices in policy making, increase transparency of school boards, and improve school bus safety.
The bills passed in the 2024 session include:
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House Bill 4084, which is the Foster Care Student Success Pilot Grant Program, aiming to improve support and school outcomes for foster students.
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Senate Bill 1532, which creates a Student Success Plan for students who are asylum seekers, refugees, and other types of refugees to improve school support and ensure academic success.
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Senate Bill 1552, which establishes a Youth Advisory Group to give students ages 14-18 from historically marginalized backgrounds a voice in shaping policy decisions made by the Oregon Department of Education.
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Senate Bill 1502, which requires school boards, education service districts, community college districts, and public university boards to livestream their meetings and post recordings of the meetings within seven days.
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House Bill 4147, which allows buses to record drivers who fail to stop for bus safety lights and stop signs, enabling law enforcement to issue citations and improve safety.
I was proud to support these policies that help our kids be successful in school, grow and thrive.
Suicide Prevention Month:
As the United States has transitioned to 988 — an easy to remember three-digit dialing and texting code, with a chat feature on 988lifeline.org, for anyone experiencing a suicidal or mental health crises or emotional distress, it’s important that messaging efforts are aligned, coordinated, and consistent. To help organizations consider when and how to develop public messages about 988, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance)—the nation’s public-private partnership committed to advancing suicide prevention and changing the conversation about mental health and suicide prevention—released the 988 Messaging Framework. The 988 Messaging Framework, developed in collaboration with a 988 Messaging Task Force co-led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Vibrant Emotional Health, provides broad guidance for organizations about when and how to develop public messages about 988. As you develop 988 messages, I encourage you to use this resource to help inform your planning and to ensure our nation’s 988 messaging is strategic, aligned, and effective. To learn more, visit 988messaging.org.
The Veterans Crisis Line's new number helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran and Service Member suicide rates are at a 20-year-high. In Oregon alone, 139 Veterans* died by suicide in 2021 (most recent year available), a rate of 49.6 per 100,000
If a Veteran calls 988, they press 1 when the system answers, and they are routed to a special crisis line that is staffed by Veterans for Veterans. Here is the information on that service: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/about/what-is-988/
If you or someone you know is a Veteran, this site where Veterans and their loved ones talk about their experiences, challenges, and recovery.
We have an urgent need for support and solutions. This critical effort must begin with hearing from Veterans themselves to understand what they’re experiencing now and what kind of support would be most effective for them and their families. This is why Rep Tran has scheduled an Informational Presentation at this month’s Public Hearing.
Events I've attended:
As your representative, I’m thrilled to attend the groundbreaking for the 82nd Avenue Safety Project, a critical investment in our community’s well-being. For too long, 82nd Avenue has been a hazardous corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. This project, led by PBOT, represents a significant step forward in making our streets safer and more accessible for everyone. By prioritizing safety improvements such as better crosswalks, lighting, and traffic signals, we are creating a safer, more connected Portland that reflects our values of equity and sustainability. I'm proud to support this initiative, which will enhance the quality of life for all of us who live, work, and travel along this vital corridor.
In August, I attended Sen. Jeff Merkley's Multnomah County townhall wherein I engaged with him and other elected leaders, and saw him engage constituents on the pressing issues facing our community.
  
Throughout the summer, I’ve attended numerous transportation tours across Oregon, as we gear up for the 2025 Session. I’ve been learning more about issues related to transportation that are important to Oregonians all across the state. Pictured above are some memories of the tours across the state.
In June, I attended a conference of State Legislators from across the country discussing healthcare policy.
A few days ago, I joined the Human Access Project for a safety paddling session wit the River Huggers Swim Team.
On July 12th, members of the Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus attended
the unveiling of the first operational fighter jets to be received by a National Guard Unit ahead of the active-duty Air Force in U.S. History.
“Oregon is not only going to protect the skies,” said Representative Tran, (D – Portland), Veterans Caucus Co-Chair and Chair of the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans. “We are going to command them in defense of our nation.”
The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing received multiple F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets with a new advanced weapons system to support operations and stay ahead of adversaries. The 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard is the first operational unit to receive the F-15EX fighter jets. The 142nd Wing is one of three Air National Guard units set to operate the EX.
In attendance was Col. Michael Kosderka (142nd Wing Commander), Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold (Adjutant General for the Oregon National Guard), Governor Tina Kotek, and US Sen. Ron Wyden. It was not lost on speakers that two decades ago a federal recommendation was made to close the Portland Air National Guard Base. Now, legislators are welcoming these operational fighters from the Air Force’s arsenal to that same base in support of maintaining homeland
security in a vital region of the Pacific Northwest.
Members of the Oregon Legislative Veterans Caucus and the House Interim Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans were also in attendance.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. I look forward to sharing more with you come November. Take care this fall.
Yours truly,
Representative Thuy Tran
House District 45
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1445
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-285, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.ThuyTran@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/tran
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