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To contact me, please click here: Rep.ShannonIsadore@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
We are two weeks into session and we are off to the races. Over 2,300 bills have been introduced with more to come— an all-time record! It’s an exciting time as we settle in for this “long” session, though I can already tell it will fly by. I want to share some updates on my work and the top priorities for House Democrats this session.
Last month, we watched as fires devastated communities around Los Angeles. 57,636 acres burned and 29 lives tragically lost, with countless buildings damaged or completely burned down. The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized a significant number of resources at the request of California to help with the historic fires. The Oregon State Fire Marshal sent 15 strike teams with 300 firefighters and 75 engines through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System. These resources reported to CAL Fire and were the first out of state resources on the fire lines. The Oregon State Fire Marshal remained in close contact with our partners in California to assess their needs as they responded to this crisis. I am so proud of our state for supporting the monumental effort it took to get these resources to our neighbors so quickly and my heart goes out to all of the people impacted by these historic, destructive fires. If you or someone you know was impacted, please know that resources are available. Information on FEMA assistance can be found here.
 February is Black History Month, a time to reflect and honor the culture and resilience of African Americans. The Library of Congress in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, have created a website showcasing events, art, educational materials, and more related to Black History Month. This month and all months, I am proud to stand on the shoulders of the African Americans who have come before me and serve as the only Black woman in Oregon’s legislature.
To kick off Black History Month, I had the honor of attending the Portland Trail Blazers Black History Celebration with my fellow elected leaders. I especially appreciated the halftime performance by Sebe Kan Drum and Dance Group. I am so glad to see community coming together to celebrate Black excellence, businesses, and history this month and all months. It was also a pleasure to connect with City Councilor Candace Avolos and VP of Communications for the Blazers, Natalie King. Congratulations to the Blazers on a great game! Bonus points if you can spot Rep. Nelson in the back!
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Today, February 4th, is Rosa Parks' birthday. I spoke on the House floor to honor the civil rights icon who is widely known as the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. To celebrate Rosa Parks Day, we remember her legacy of resilience and courage. In December 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger in segregated Montgomery, Alabama. Parks was arrested and fined for her act of civil disobedience, and the incident inspired a federal lawsuit that led to the desegregation of all public transportation in the United States.
Today, in honor of her birthday, TriMet did not collect fares to honor her commitment to equitable access for all. I encourage us all to revisit her story and learn more about her life, her experiences on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, and the crucial role she played in the Civil Rights movement. In the words of Rosa Parks herself, “you must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”
 In the 2025 legislative session, I will be focusing on improving the wellbeing and quality of life for HD 33 and all of Oregon. I've heard loud and clear from our community that we need to make progress on community safety, increasing access to behavioral health treatment and revitalization of downtown. I am laser focused on improving our behavioral health system and public safety, as well as supporting our small businesses and the state’s economy. Together, Oregon House Democrats are working to advance legislation to fight for an affordable Oregon, make government work, keep Oregonians safe, protect basic rights and freedoms, and deliver a roadmap forward. Read the full caucus agenda here.
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I am enthused and proud to be championing the effort to secure funding for the James Beard Public Market. I will be submitting a budget request later on in session and have already introduced a bill, HB 3377, to raise awareness about this project, which I am proud to say is co-sponsored by Rep. Nosse. This project will bring economic prosperity to Oregon vendors, farmers, and artisans and will make a significant positive impact on downtown’s economic recovery.
The market recently surpassed a major milestone–buying the building that will house the market. The location is in the heart of downtown Portland in the historic Ungar building. This is a crucial step, and it's even more important now that we secure $10 million in state funds to get this project over the finish line. I'm proud to champion this transformative project in the legislature and can't wait to see the positive impacts it will have for Portland's revitalization and for the entire state of Oregon. When Portland thrives, Oregon thrives!
In addition to sponsoring this legislation, I am also supporting economic recovery in my capacity as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade. I was proud to welcome guests to present to the committee on the status of Oregon's economy. We heard presentations from Marcia Walker, Director of Oregon State University Food Innovation Center, downtown commercial real estate developer, Vanessa Sturgeon, as well as small business owner Chris Warren, CEO of specialty construction company WDX Specialties. The committee heard about the immense challenges facing businesses, but also the great opportunities to support our business community and Oregon's economy. I was especially attuned to the challenges facing downtown Portland and the need to bring businesses back to our downtown core. When downtown Portland thrives, Oregon thrives. You can watch the presentations here.
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    I had the pleasure of attending a trip to deflection centers in Seattle with my fellow legislator, Rep. Nelson. As deflection centers get underway here in Oregon, we have much to learn from our neighbors to the north about diverting people away from incarceration and into services. Seattle has been diverting individuals this way since 2011 as part of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, which is both a pre-arrest and pre-booking diversion program. In the pre-booking component, officers directly refer individuals to case managers. In pre-arrest, officers identify individuals who they think would benefit from treatment or services and offer assistance, without bringing charges. Individuals whose charges are not considered “divertable” but would still benefit from services and care coordination, have their case reviewed by prosecutors with an eye to special resolution alongside LEAD services. Case managers coordinate an individual’s access to services for needs such as treatment, housing, benefits, and health care.
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders, visit program sites, and ask questions of the LEAD program staff, law enforcement, business leaders and community service providers to learn more about what makes this program successful. It’s crucial to learn from others’ examples as we respond to the addiction crisis in our own backyard.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a legislator has been connecting with my colleagues, especially my fellow freshmen. There is an immense learning curve to navigate, and I am so grateful to have the support of my cohort as we get situated. The mentorship and guidance of seasoned legislators has been invaluable and I am so glad to be serving with such a dedicated, passionate group of individuals.
      
Here are some fun events happening around HD 33 this month! More information about events in Portland can be found here.
Cascade Festival of African Films
The longest-running African film festival in the United States is back to showcase the rich and diverse tapestry of African storytelling. The festival is a tribute to the filmmakers whose dedication and creativity have brought extraordinary stories to life. It’s an ode to the audience whose appreciation and support fuel African cinema's continued growth and evolution. Engage in thought-provoking after-film discussions, immerse yourself in the beauty of storytelling, and embrace the magic woven by these incredible films that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.
 Lunar New Year Lantern Viewing Evenings
Lantern Viewing Evenings are back throughout the month of February at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Witness the garden aglow with hanging red lanterns, illuminating sweeping rooflines. Lake Zither reflects the lights of large-scale floating lantern sculptures, creating a scene of beauty and tranquility that captivates visitors of all ages.
 Portland Winter Light Festival
Portland Winter Light Festival returns for its tenth year on Feb 7-15 at various locations throughout the city. The festival’s theme in 2025 is A Light For Tomorrow: A Technicolor Future, exploring how light, creativity and innovation shape the future.
Thank you for reading! You are welcome to send me an email at rep.shannonisadore@oregonlegislature.gov or call my office at 503-986-1433. Stay tuned for more newsletters with updates or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
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Rep. Shannon Jones Isadore
HD 33 State Representative
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Sugar
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1433
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-276, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.ShannonIsadore@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/isadore
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