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To contact me, please click here: Rep.ShannonIsadore@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Starting last week, the House is convening daily to vote on bills as committees rapidly work through the historic number of bills introduced this session. I am proud to see many of the bills I am sponsoring move through the legislative process and to have the opportunity to share my support of so many excellent ideas for improving the lives of Oregonians.
As we get further into session, there is a tendency for discussions to get increasingly partisan and divisive. I am committed to finding common ground with my colleagues to find solutions to the most pressing issues facing Oregon: affordability, safety, and livability. I am pleased to see this collaborative spirit in my committees and hope to continue fostering dialogue across the aisle as we approach increasingly sensitive topics.
As always, my office remains available to support you and listen to your perspectives on legislation and other topics at rep.shannonisadore@oregonlegislature.gov.
CEI Transition Plan
The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) hub, where fuel tanks store millions of gallons of gasoline, crude oil, fracked gas, and other chemicals on the bank of the Willamette continues to be a major environmental and public health concern. Rep. Tran, Chair of the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans has put forward a number of bills to address the safety concerns that these tanks pose. I am pleased to co-sponsor two of these bills, HB 3450 and HB 2949 which will direct the Oregon Department of Energy to engage community, industry, and government to define a future for Oregon’s energy sector that will ensure resilience while enabling the State of Oregon to develop an energy storage transition plan with short-, medium- and long-term implementation goals for the CEI hub.
James Beard Public Market Update
I'd like to update you all on some recent progress for HB 3377, which would allocate $10 million for the James Beard Public Market. My fellow members of the Committee for Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade and I met last week for a work session on this bill, and I am pleased to announce that the bill was passed out of committee with bipartisan support and now awaits consideration in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. I am eager to see this crucial funding secured for the market!
Reparations Task Force Testimony
Last month, the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans held a public hearing on HB 2995, which creates a task force to study reparations for Oregonians of African-American descent. I am proud to sponsor this bill along with Representatives Travis Nelson and Andrea Valderrama, and Senators Lew Frederick and James Manning, Jr. I was honored to testify on this crucial piece of legislation and share with the committee the story of my grandfather, who was a veteran like myself. After completing his service in World War II, he was unjustly denied a land grant offered to veterans and died without ever receiving compensation for this injustice. With this bill, we have an opportunity to right these wrongs and deliver justice for so many Oregonians past and present. Let’s take this critical first step to acknowledge the historic harm done to our Black communities and begin the necessary work towards reparative justice. Hear my full testimony here.
Economic Development Southern Oregon Field Trip
 
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to join some of my fellow members of the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade for a tour of Southern Oregon. We made stops in Roseburg, Grants Pass, and Central Point to meet with local small business owners and city officials to discuss their needs for economic development. I found it so valuable to hear their stories on how regulations impact our rural economies and I will make sure to consider their perspectives as I consider how to best support the economic wellbeing of all Oregonians.
 
I took a tour of Outside In’s facilities to get a closer look at the crucial work they are doing to support community members with SUD. Outside In supports youth experiencing homelessness and other marginalized people as they move toward improved health and self-sufficiency. As the founder of a behavioral health clinic and a member of the Committee on Behavioral Health and Healthcare, I deeply appreciate this organization's mission and values.
  
With support from the legislature and the city, Made in Old Town is making strides to transform Old Town into a manufacturing hub for footwear and apparel innovation. The hub will bring manufacturing back to Portland, boosting the local workforce and revitalizing the neighborhood and economy. The sense of industrious optimism that I got from meeting with HILOS founder, Elias Stahl, was infectious and is exactly the tone shift that is needed to help reshape the narrative about downtown Portland.
I was excited to join the Lit Motors team for a tour of their Portland-based workshop. It was invigorating to learn more about their new ideas and innovations, including their flagship product, a two wheeled electric vehicle. Love to see how imagination and hard work can revolutionize transportation right here in Portland!
Thank you to Governor Tina Kotek for inviting me and some of my fellow freshmen legislators to get introduced over lunch. It was such a treat to meet with the Governor and be in community with other Representatives and Senators that are also getting the opportunity to represent their districts for the first time. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my legislative colleagues and the Governor's office to make Oregon a place where all can thrive.
 
I was so enthused to meet with the team at Oregon Recovers to talk about legislation that will expand access to addiction services and improve our state's ability to manage the addiction crisis. Oregon Recovers works to expand access to effective behavioral healthcare through public education, policy development, community building, and improving access to care.
Senator Reynolds and I met with the president of Powell’s Books, Emily Powell, to learn more about what’s on the horizon for this Portland gem that has been a cornerstone of the downtown business community and Portland’s identity for over 50 years. It's so important to support iconic local businesses like Powell's to keep our community thriving!
It was a privilege to attend the Blanchet House Lend a Helping Hand Brunch at the Portland Art Museum earlier this month. Blanchet House is a nonprofit that provides crucial services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It was heartwarming to see the outpouring of support for this organization and am grateful for all that they do for our community.
Meet Sugar! If you see me around HD 33, you may notice my little doggie either walking next to me or being carried in my handbag. When Sugar is not at doggie daycare she is working at Oregon Change Clinic - Behavioral Health Center as a support doggie to those experiencing mental health treatment and emotional discomfort. Sugar is both the Chief Greeter and Emotional Supporter at the clinic and while she doesn’t come with me to the Capitol, she’s an important part of the team!
The IRS and Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) have begun accepting returns for the 2025 tax season. The following suggestions for taxpayers are here to help assist in efficient processing of returns and avoiding common errors that may delay a refund.
Where’s My Refund? tool improved for 2025
Taxpayers who want to check the status of their Oregon state income tax refund will find more information available this year when they use the Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool.
Updates include:
- Additional detail about refund status.
- Added functionality to see when the agency is requesting additional information to complete processing a return.
- Website enhancements for improved customer experience.
Which of Oregon’s free electronic tax filing options fits you best?
A variety of free electronic-filing options are available to Oregon taxpayers, including the new combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon.
While the free filing options have some income and other limitations, most Oregon taxpayers are eligible to file electronically at no cost using one of the free file options that can be found on the Department of Revenue website. Or follow the guide in this news release.
Free help filing Oregon tax returns
Taxpayers that don’t have a computer or need one-on-one help also have options for electronic filing. AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, MFS-CASH Oregon, and the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes offer in person and drop off services for tax preparation by trained volunteers. Learn more on Revenue’s Get free help filing your taxes webpage.
Thousands of taxpayers have filed state returns with Direct File Oregon
The newest free electronic filing option is the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon. Almost 5,000 taxpayers have used Direct File Oregon to file their state income tax returns. Almost 2,000 of those state returns were filed in combination with federal returns filed with IRS Direct File.
More information about Direct File is available on the Revenue website. Videos are also available to show how to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon.
Spring Equinox Garden Fair
Shake off the winter blues and celebrate the equinox with the Leach Garden community. Enjoy springtime scavenger hunts, nature crafts, refreshments, community partners, arborist walks, and story times for children. Get tickets for this event here!
NAYA Native-Made Marketplace
NAYA Marketplace is a team within the Native American Youth and Family Center that provides Native entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and skills to build a business from an idea or scale their existing business to their personal bar of success.
You’ll find beautiful jewelry, clothing, crafts, prints and much more at this special event, which will feature upwards of 45 makers along with fun activities and treats.
Holi Festival of Colors
This historic Indian Spring celebration is happening in our own District 33! Join a vibrant free, all-ages event with music, dance, colors, food and drink vendors, and more. The 15th Annual celebration features organic flower petal colors sourced straight from India. At Holi, the Festival of Colors celebrates the coming of spring, the joy of friendship, and equality for all. The festival will feature hourly performances from local dancers and artists, kicking it off with kids' performances.
To learn more about this event or to reserve a spot, visit their website here.
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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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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