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To contact me, please click here: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The past few weeks been busy and exciting! More bills are moving out of committee and onto the House Floor for a vote, which has allowed us to hold our first full floor sessions of the year. As new bills make their way through the legislative process, there will be many opportunities for engagement on issues that impact our state. I encourage you to visit OLIS, the Oregon Legislative Information Service website, where you can find regularly updated information about bills and committees.
As always, I appreciate hearing from constituents. My office receives daily outreach on a wide range of topics, and we read and listen to each message. We do our best to reply to constituents in a timely manner and appreciate your patience as we provide responses to a high-volume of questions, input, and casework inquiries. Please continue to share your thoughts by sending email to rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.
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Many community members have contacted me with concerns about how federal actions will impact their daily lives. Our state leaders are taking action to provide clarity and stand up for the rights of Oregonians. Last week, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, along with 16 other Attorneys General, issued guidance for businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility best practices. You can read this update by clicking here. In the State Legislature, we will continue our work to make Oregon an affordable, accessible, and welcoming place for all.
Here's what you'll find in this week's newsletter:
- Updates on my bills
- I-5 Bridge turns 108
- Outreach and meeting highlights
- Meet the Team McLain Interns
- Events in Western Washington County
UPDATES ON MCLAIN BILLS
HB 2356 PASSES OUT OF THE HOUSE:
House Bill 2356, a bill I am working with the Metro Regional Government on, passed in the House yesterday and now heads to the Senate for consideration. The bill would require that a territory already in a city's urban growth boundary is also automatically annexed to the Metro District when it is annexed by a city. It simply eliminates the need for a separate Metro District annexation application as is currently required.
In the speech I gave on the House Floor yesterday, I urged my colleagues to pass the bill because it is a simple technical improved bill to reduce red tape that will help efficiently facilitate needed development by Metro cities and will eliminate the current duplicative, costly, and time-consuming process of separate annexations. The bill does not change any urban growth boundary expansion requirements, nor does it change any city annexation requirements. In addition, the bill is not “retroactive” – it would only apply to city annexations going forward.
It is a good governance bill that makes the annexation process smoother and saves money and time for city governments, Metro, and developers. Read the informational sheet on the bill here.
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HEARING HELD ON HB 2357:
My bill on expanding the workforce for school-based health practitioners, HB 2357, had a hearing in the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care on Tuesday. The bill addresses the workforce shortage of Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists that is having an impact on our schools and our most vulnerable students.
Speech-Language and Occupational Therapists who work in schools conduct student assessments, determine diagnoses, and provide the critical therapy necessary for students to overcome disorders, issues, and other difficulties in speech, language, and motor skills. We are currently in a perfect storm where the shortage of school-based healthcare practitioners is occurring in conjunction with an all-time high level of students who require specialized services. 15% of Oregon’s public school kids have a disability that adversely affects academic performance and requires special education and/or related services. Oregon’s children count on these health services as a part of their mandated plan for education in public schools.
HB 2357 offers an opportunity to alleviate the provider shortages affecting our schools. The bill would allow Oregon to join multi-state compacts for Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists. Being a part of interstate compacts would allow health practitioners licensed in other compact states to practice in Oregon without obtaining a license through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists or State Board of Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. As an example if the bill passes, a licensed practitioner with the State of Washington that lives in Vancouver, would be able to work in a Portland-area school without going through the time and expense of having to obtain a duplicative license for the State of Oregon.
SUPPORTING HB 3181 ON YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS:
I am the second chief sponsor on a bill from Representative Nathan Sosa that would create a Taskforce on Youth Apprenticeship. The bill, HB 3181, had a hearing in the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards on Tuesday. Representative Sosa has been a champion for youth apprenticeship programs and I am proud to join him on this bill because I have also long advocated for expanding apprenticeship opportunities for our students.
HB 3181 outlines a data-driven process that will allow us to create a comprehensive policy for youth apprenticeship programming in Oregon during the 2027 Legislative Session. Apprenticeship programs are a key element of our Education system in Oregon, and I strongly believe that expanding opportunities for youth apprenticeships will benefit both our students and our economy. We need a seamless Education system that supports all students and helps them reach their dreams. This starts with early learning and includes K-12, apprenticeships, job training, and higher education. Apprenticeships are an example of thinking outside of the standard education system box, being creative, and looking for different ways to improve educational opportunities for every student. They can provide our students with exceptional career prospects that allow them to enjoy the level of economic security that comes with earning a living wage with good benefits.
Read the letter I submitted to the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards here.
NEWBORN SCREENING BILL GETS A HEARING:
In last week's newsletter, I wrote about the Newborn Screening Program bill I am working on with Representative Owens. As a reminder, the bipartisan bill calls for a $4 million allocation to Oregon's Newborn Screening program to clear the backlog of conditions already approved for addition to the testing panel but are not included yet because of inadequate funding. The funding would also cover screening for three additional diseases currently in, or likely will soon be in, the review stage for addition to the screening panel. I am happy to share that HB 3192 will have a hearing in the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care on February 25th. You can watch the hearing or submit testimony for the bill on the committee's OLIS page here.
I-5 BRIDGE TURNS 108 YEARS OLD
To celebrate the 108th birthday of the I-5 Bridge, I'm sharing the below piece written by the team at the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program:
The Interstate Bridge grew another year older on Feb. 14, and with this milestone, we’re reflecting on the captivating history surrounding this 108-year-old marvel of civil engineering.
More than a hundred years ago, the people of Vancouver and Portland knew that something had to be done about the lack of a safe and efficient crossing of the mighty Columbia River. This was particularly important following the turn of the 20th century when westward expansion saw the region’s population and economy balloon.
At that time, the region went from the emergence of steam-powered ferries in the mid 19th century to the first passenger vehicles, horses and streetcars crossing the Interstate Bridge in 1917 — the bridge we know today as the northbound span of Interstate 5.
Considering that construction of the first span began in 1915, it’s impressive to consider how well the technology of the era has stood the test of time. While the Interstate Bridge has served the region well over the years, times have changed, and it can no longer meet today’s transportation and safety needs. In fact, it would require an estimated $270 million in capital maintenance costs by 2040 just to keep the existing bridge operating. This does not include any seismic retrofit.
Both spans are built on concrete footings that sit atop timber piles made from Douglas Fir trees resting in sandy soil that could liquify in the event of an earthquake. This means that the bridge faces a serious risk of failure in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone event, which is a constant threat to our region. A replacement bridge will be built to modern standards to withstand such a major earthquake event, with the piles extending significantly deeper to reach the more solid bedrock-like layer known as the Troutdale Formation.
Looking back at the bridge’s early history and construction is a poignant reminder that major achievements are built over time, and it requires persistence and collaboration to get big things done. This moment reaffirms the IBR Program’s commitment to delivering a bridge that serves our region with a safe, efficient and modern replacement designed to meet today’s needs and last for generations to come.
We look forward to continuing to engage and inform you on our progress as we move closer to breaking ground on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen our region’s infrastructure and economy.
RECENT OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS
I enjoy the opportunity to connect with constituents, students, and advocates at the Capitol each day. Here are a few recent highlights:
Mayor of Beaverton: I had a great conversation with the Mayor of Beaverton, Lacey Beaty. She dropped by my office to talk about transportation and local needs in Washington County.
AFSCME Lobby Day: Constituent members of AFSCME spoke with me during their annual Lobby Day. They shared personal stories, and we discussed ways for the legislature to support workplace safety and employee retention.
OEA Lobby Day: Educators from House District 29 visited my office during Oregon Education Association's Lobby Day. They spoke to me about their firsthand experiences in schools and classrooms and advocated for school funding, special education, and youth behavioral health services. Below are some highlights from my visit with OEA members:
Exchange Students as Honorary Pages: Each year, my office sponsors young adults from across the globe to participate in the Oregon State Capitol Honorary Page program. This is a one-day opportunity for students to perform duties on the House Floor, participate in educational discussions, and assist with day-to-day operations of the legislature. This year, exchange students from Germany, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Estonia, Malaysia, and Turkey participated. The students also stopped by my office for a group photo, but unfortunately I was in committee and could not join them. Below is the group shot from my office:
Climate Action Commission: I was glad to provide an update on the transportation package to the Climate Action Commission last week. As Co-Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, I shared about our priorities: improving safety, accessibility, and sustainability for our multimodal system.
YMCA Youth and Government: YMCA Youth and Government is a nationwide civic engagement and servant leadership program that provides students in high school with the opportunity to represent and serve their communities through model government, leadership and professional development, advocacy, and service-learning. I had the opportunity to visit Oregon's Youth and Government delegation when they were at the Capitol to debate and pass the bills they wrote. Below are pictures of the students taking over the member desks on the House Floor.
ALL ABOUT THE TEAM MCLAIN INTERNS
You've already read about my two staff members, Grace and Carolyn, in a previous newsletter, but our office is also fortunate to have two great interns with us this Session. Keep reading to find out about Khushi Kalia and Keenan Yoshizawa.
Khushi Kalia
Walking into the Capitol for the first time was both inspiring and humbling. The energy in the air reminded me of the sacrifices my immigrant parents made to give me opportunities they could only dream of. I’m Khushi, born and raised in Oregon, and I’m a first-generation college student at Portland Community College. I applied for PCC’s 2025 legislative internship, which gave me the opportunity to work alongside Representative Susan McLain, my House District representative, at the Capitol. In addition to my internship, I’m finishing my AAOT degree and preparing to transfer for my pre-law BS in Philosophy, with the goal of becoming an attorney to advocate for underserved minorities in Oregon. Outside of school, I enjoy reading at Hagg Lake and performing at South Asian events hosted by PCC. One of my current passions is co-chairing SLC's BIPOC Affinity Group, where I help organize events that foster engagement and support. My time in the Capitol has truly deepened my sense of purpose, and I’m excited to work toward positive change, inspired by leaders like Representative McLain.
Keenan Yoshizawa
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Hello! My name is Keenan Yoshizawa, I am a sophomore Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics (PPLE) and History double major at Willamette University. I am originally from Oahu, Hawaii. I am one of Rep. McLain’s interns for the 2025 session. I am excited to start working at the Capitol for the first time. The Oregon State Capitol is much different compared to the Hawaii State Capitol back home. There is an open environment where you get to know others in neighboring offices. I have enjoyed my time getting to know Rep. McLain, Carolyn, and Grace in the office. Overall, I have been enjoying my experience here and I look forward to learning a lot more in the weeks and months ahead.
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EVENTS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON CO.
Wildfire Ready 2025
Watch a one-hour documentary (Built to Burn) exploring wildfire’s impact and the balance between human communities and wildlands. Following the film, a panel of local experts will discuss Washington County’s wildfire history and ecology, emergency preparedness systems and fire response strategies, and ways you can contribute to community wildfire readiness. Register by clicking here for this FREE event.
When: February 27 from 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Pacific University, Forest Grove
Joe Kye for the Walters Performance Series
Joe Kye is a musician and storyteller based in Portland, Oregon who’s opened for Yo-Yo-Ma, recorded a TEDx Talk, and been featured on NPR and PRI's The World. This performance will reflect on his grandfather's escape from North Korea during the Korean War and Joe’s life as a child immigrant. Click here to learn more.
When: February 28 at 7:30 pm
Where: Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro
Tickets: $20 advance / $23 day of the show.
Local High School Theater Productions
During the weekends of February 21st and February 28th, several high school theater departments will be performing their Winter/Spring plays and musicals. Visit their websites to find a time to support our local young artists, production crews, and staff!
Click here to learn more about Liberty High School's show: The Scottish Play.
Click here to learn more about Forest Grove High School's show: The Island of Doctor Moreau.
Click here to learn more about Glencoe High School's show: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
My office has compiled a list of resources for our community. You can click on the images below to open a document with the relevant links. If you know of a resource that should be included here, or you need a resource and are having trouble finding the information you need, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.
EDUCATION RESOURCES
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Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of Education-related resources. This includes links to the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts, the Oregon and US Departments of Education, information on how to pay for college, student lunch programs, and much more!
WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES
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Click here, or on the image to the right for important resources related to wildfire prevention and recovery. This list includes links to current fire restrictions and recreation site status maps, the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire prevention tip page, and important resources for wildfire victims.
RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS
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Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of important resources for Veterans, including links and phone numbers to the various divisions of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, local Washington County assistance, supportive and community-based groups like the American Legion, and mental health resources.
STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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Click here, or on the image to the right for links to important local and state government pages, including the Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Cornelius city government pages. You can also access the Oregon Legislature's page, and other important state agency sites, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Unemployment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority.
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Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-493, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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