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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Happening Tonight! Joint Committee on Transportation - Public Hearing in Hillsboro
Legislative Updates
This week we were in Salem for Legislative Days. Committees met to hear about current issues and the Senate Floor convened to approve Governor's Executive Appointments. The Emergency Board was also convened to appropriate funds to various agencies needing funding before the next biennium. (See more in the press release below).
As Joint Emergency Board committees met to hear agency reports and consider funding requests, the Oregon Public Defense Commission was of particular focus as some ongoing issues with the agency were put under the spotlight. As legislators, it is our job to make sure our agencies are funded, but also that they are accountable for the dollars they receive.
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Thousands left without representation as lawmakers grapple with public defender shortage, KOIN, Joelle Jones, Aimee Plante, September 24, 2024.
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Number of Oregon criminal defendants without lawyers increases; senator calls for ‘less talk,’ ‘more action’, OregonLive, Aimee Green, September 23, 2024.
I also enjoyed receiving an update on the work that continues to implement the Recycling Modernization Act in Oregon. Thank you to DEQ and Circular Action Alliance for their collaboration on this monumental change coming to Oregon's recycling system. Find more information on the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act here. Watch the clip of the hearing at this link here. The full committee hearing is linked below.
You can watch the committees I am a member of at the links below.
Emergency Board Provides Support to Agencies for Wildfire Fighting, Public Health and Safety
September 25, 2024
SALEM, Ore. – Today, legislators on the Joint Emergency Board provided more than $103 million to state agencies as they work to address urgent issues of health and safety across the state.
Amid a historic wildfire season, legislators allocated $20 million in new funds and released $27.5 million in previously allotted special purpose appropriations to the Oregon Department of Forestry to support wildfire fighting efforts.
Oregon has seen more than 2,000 wildfires this year, which have burned a record 1.9 million acres statewide.
"We stand with Oregonians across our state who have been impacted by fires this year. The Department of Forestry has done incredible work fighting these fires under difficult weather conditions and with personnel and resources stretched thin across multiple states," said Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego). "The Legislature will continue to support wildfire fighting efforts so our firefighters can focus on keeping Oregonians safe and protecting homes and wildlands."
A total of $24 million from the Emergency Board’s General Fund were allocated, with the remainder going toward:
- $3.15 million to the Department of Justice to backfill federal funding reductions from the Victims of Crime Act, ensuring that Oregonians will continue to receive the resources and support they need after being victims of a crime.
- $1.1 million to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to repair a critical building used in training courses for law enforcement.
- $40,000 to the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability for an additional 0.25 FTE to address a backlog of complaints.
"The Emergency Board's actions were focused on urgent issues of health and safety, including responding to Oregon’s most damaging wildfire season in history and ensuring victims of crime have the support they need," said House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-West Eugene & Veneta). "With the limited resources we have, we will continue supporting the professionals who provide the services that Oregonians expect of their state government."
The Emergency Board also took action to support the continued transition of the Public Defense Commission to the Executive Branch, including the approval of new personnel. Significant work remains for the agency to resolve the state’s unrepresented persons crisis. Several funding requests were deferred until further progress on the crisis can be demonstrated.
In total, the Emergency Board released $79.3 million in previously allocated special purpose appropriations and approved an increase in spending for federal funds and other funds by $169 million and $198 million, respectively.
In the News
Inside the Oregon Department of Corrections’ push to build a new state penitentiary, KGW, Evan Watson, September 11, 2024.
Free at-home COVID tests are back. Here's how to get yours, KGW, Amanda Seitz, September 26, 2024.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Forest Grove Corn Roast and Chalk Art Festival
Last Saturday was the 60th Anniversary of the Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce Corn Roast. It was a beautiful day in the Grove and we enjoyed both the Corn Roast and Chalk Art Festival happening simultaneously. The corn was delicious, the weather was beautiful and there were amazing crowds and music!
Orenco Fest 2024
Last Saturday, I also enjoyed attending the Orenco Fest 2024. What a great day to celebrate music, food, friends, love and community!
Senate District 15 - Small Business Spotlight
Top Burmese Restaurant
Top Burmese Restaurant in Hillsboro is one of my newly discovered favorites. Threre you can enjoy delicious Burmese food in the heart of downtown Hillsboro. My personal favorites are their Chicken Curry with Coconut Rice, Turmeric Fries and their lovely Burmese Tea with coconut milk. ❤️
Top Burmese is located at 180 E Main Street. Hillsboro, OR 97123. Find more information and hours of operation here.
Community Outreach
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the Cornelius Farmers Market - Today, Friday September 26th from 4PM-8PM
Shared from Cornelius Farmers Market - Adelante Mujeres
 Join us on our last day of the Cornelius Farmers Market to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! We will be located in the Cornelius Public Library parking lot where we will have live music from DJ Blaze, art activities with a local artist Vanessa Vigil and a looming activity with the Cornelius Public Library. We will also have Danza Azteca Shochicalli from 7-7:30 PM!
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¡Únase a nosotros en nuestro último día del Mercado Agrícola de Cornelius para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Estaremos ubicados en el estacionamiento de la Biblioteca Pública de Cornelius donde tendremos música en vivo de DJ Blaze, actividades de arte con una artista local Vanessa Vigil y una actividad de telar con la Biblioteca Pública de Cornelius. ¡Tambien tendremos Danza Azteca Shochicalli de 7-7:30 PM!
Forest Grove Annual Town Meeting - Tomorrow, Saturday, September 28th
Shared from Forest Grove City Hall
THIS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28 FROM 10-NOON!!!!
Dive into the future of transportation! The Committee for Community Engagement (CCE) is hosting our next Annual Town Meeting (ATM) at the Community Auditorium. The theme is TRANSPORTATION and what’s next for getting around the Grove. Come chat with city staff, learn about the 2040 vision project, and meet representatives from Grove Link (Ride Connection) and TriMet. Light refreshments will be served.
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¡ESTE SÁBADO 28 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 10 A 12!!!!
¡Sumérgete en el futuro del transporte! El Comité de Participación Comunitaria (CCE) está organizando nuestra próxima Reunión Anual del Pueblo (ATM) en el Auditorio Comunitario. El tema es el TRANSPORTE y lo que viene para moverse por el Grove. Ven a charlar con el personal de la ciudad, aprende sobre el proyecto de la visión 2040 y conoce a representantes de Grove Link (Ride Connection) y TriMet. Se ofrecerán refrigerios ligeros.
Help Us Shape the Future of Cornelius Parks
Shared from City of Cornelius
 The City of Cornelius is in the final stages of the Cornelius 2045 Vision project. One of the action items is to update the City's Parks Master Plan, which will assess community needs for parks and outdoor recreation, identify implementation strategies, and offer a variety of opportunities for community involvement. This updated plan will establish a path forward for providing high quality, community-driven parks, trails, natural areas, and outdoor recreation for Cornelius' residents and visitors. We want to hear from you!
Take the Survey Today!
Washington County School Supply Reuse Project
Shared from Washington County Solid Waste and Recycling
Now through the end of October, Washington County is collecting new and gently used school, art and office supplies to be donated to teachers and students. Gather your unwanted supplies and put them to good use.
Visit the School Supply Reuse Project webpage for a list of accepted items and donation drop-off options. Thank you!
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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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