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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Join me online, Thursday, March 27th, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, for a Community Conversation. Come share your thoughts and questions and meet fellow community members. I look forward to seeing you there. Please register here to receive a virtual link to join.
Policy Spotlight
SCR 17- Celebrating the life and accomplishments of Colonel Richard Kidd III and honoring him for his service to his country.
Richard Kidd III was born in Starke, Florida into a military family. He continued the tradition by joining the United States Army in 1957 and served for 37 years, attaining the rank of Colonel. Colonel Kidd was a Vietnam veteran and received many honors, including multiple bronze stars. As Colonel Kidd transitioned to the Army Reserve, he and his family moved to Forest Grove, Oregon.
Richard was deeply engaged in our community, serving a combined 25 years on the City Council and as Mayor of Forest Grove. His leadership extended to the Forest Grove Elks Lodge #2440, where he was an active member, and he was also a charter member of the Forest Grove Daybreak Rotary Club. He was instrumental in establishing the Public Arts Commission and the Historic Landmarks Board as an advisory body to the City Council.
Richard was a two-time Chamber Citizen of the Year and received the Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award last spring.
He was also involved with the Washington County Habitat for Humanity, volunteering for 15 years. His efforts contributed to the construction of 18 new homes with one of the projects named "Kidd's Corner" in his honor.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution is in honor of the life of Colonel Richard Kidd III, his contributions to our community, and service to our country. Please click here to watch the Public Hearing on SCR 17 in the Senate Rules Committee.
Legislative Updates
Budget Framework Focused On Fiscal Responsibility, Maintaining Core Services
Every two years, the Legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget for our entire state. It's a big responsibility that takes hundreds of hours of conversations.
The budget committee co-chairs released their framework for the 2025-2027 budget on Wednesday, which stresses fiscal responsibility, protects core services, and maintains flexibility during an uncertain economic time.
As always, the Legislature is not going to have enough resources to pay for every important program up for consideration. But Oregon's economy is stable, so unlike other states we don't have to make programmatic cuts right now.
And while budget conversations continue in the coming months, we are going to make sure that key investments are guided by Oregon values and directed toward the most pressing needs of our state.
One great part about the framework: We are able to maintain funding for existing programs, including fully funding the governor's request for $11.4 billion into the State School Fund for K-12 education, assuming the adoption of oversight and accountability measures.
We also want to hear from you. Legislators from the Joint Committee on Ways and Means will be participating in six community budget hearings across the state to provide a space for Oregonians to share their opinions about the budget.
The first stop is tomorrow, March 22 at the Mt. Hood Community College Theater in Gresham at 10am.
Considering the chaos coming out of Washington, D.C., the framework also contemplates scenarios where actions by the federal administration impact Oregon's economy and budget.
If federal budget cuts happen, the federal government will own those cuts and we would not be able to back-fill those services. Oregon's budget is designed to leverage federal funds to help more Oregonians, not plug federal funding holes.
A destabilizing trade war or economic mismanagement from the federal government could also turn our country toward a recession.
Our co-chairs have been preaching "facts, not fear" so we are preparing for the worst while planning our budget with the information we have right now.
Community Budget Hearing Schedule
Members of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means will attend six Community Budget Hearings across the state through the end of April to hear directly from Oregonians about their state budget priorities.
- With limited funds, we are going to need to make tough choices about which projects and programs to fund
- These decisions must align with Oregon values and focus on key challenges facing the state
- We believe in listening to people, the importance of public engagement, and being responsive to the public
- These Community Budget Hearings will be our best opportunity to hear directly from Oregonians as we work on the budget
The Community Budget Hearing dates, times and sign-up links are below and on the Ways and Means OLIS committee page:
Gresham | Saturday, March 22 (10:00am – 12:00pm) Mt. Hood Community College, College Theater 26000 S.E. Stark Street, Gresham, OR 97030
Members of the public can register to testify here
Astoria | Friday, March 28 (5:00pm – 7:00pm) Liberty Theatre Astoria 1203 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103
Members of the public can register to testify here
Warm Springs | Friday, April 4 (5:00pm – 7:00pm) Old Warm Springs Elementary School 1112 Wasco Street, Warm Springs, OR 97761
Members of the public can register to testify here
La Grande | Friday, April 11 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339 1 University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850
Members of the public can register to testify here
Salem, Statewide Virtual Testimony Prioritized | Wednesday, April 16 (5:00pm – 7:00pm) Oregon State Capitol Building, Hearing Room F 900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Members of the public can register to testify here
Klamath Falls | Friday, April 25 (5:00pm – 7:00pm) Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons 7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Members of the public can register to testify here
This Week's Testimonies and Floor Speeches
Senator Sollman Testifies in Support of SCR 17 - Celebrating and honoring Colonel Richard Kidd for his service to his country.
Senator Sollman Testifies in Support of HB 2007 - Relating to summer learning.
Week 9 Committee Snaps
Senate Committee on Energy and Environment
Public Hearings were held on:
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SB 688 - Relating to performance-based regulation of electric utilities
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SB 360- Relating to machine-powered pesticide application devices
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SB 634- Relating to the use of hydroelectric energy to comply with a renewable portfolio standard
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SB 1047- Relating to access to resources for development in Curry County
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SB 1143- Relating to thermal energy networks
Work Sessions were held on:
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SB 221- Relating to a fish enhancement program
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SB 222- Relating to the protection of salmon
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SB 339- Related to the plant disease Sudden Oak Death
Senate Committee on Education
Public Hearings were held on:
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SB 977- Relating to post-secondary education for individuals with disabilities
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SB 978- Relating to legal processes involving education districts
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SB 983- Relating to the adoption of local budgets
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SB 396- Relating to applying to public universities
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SB 401- Relating to State School Fund adjustments for children in poverty
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SB 980- Relating to job profiles for unlicensed school jobs
Work Sessions were held on:
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SB 905- Relating to the accessibility of information under a Healthy and Safe Schools Plan
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SB 953- Relating to transitions to kindergarten
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SB 1098- Relating to access to materials in schools
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SB 324- Relating to state education governance
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SB 979- Relating to a study on post-secondary educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities
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SB 982- Relating to out-of-state residential placements of students
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education
Informational Meetings were held on:
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SB 5515 - Department of Education
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SB 5516 - Department of Education - State School Fund
Week 9 - Oregon State Capitol Visits in the halls and in #S207 (Your Senate District 15 Capitol office)
In The News
Should workers on strike get unemployment benefits? Oregon Senate says yes
The Oregonian, Sean Meagher, March 20, 2025
"Sollman, a former school board member, told her colleagues on the Senate floor that she’s long supported the work of public employees and classroom teachers. But she said Senate Bill 916 would threaten the stability of cities grappling with tight budgets and school districts facing the possibility of losing federal funding from the Trump administration.
“If I believed that Senate Bill 916 would help Oregon classroom teachers in lighting fires in our students, then it would have my support,” Sollman said. “But rather than helping Oregon’s schools and teachers, I believe Senate Bill 916 will have the opposite effect.”
Democrats’ Quest to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products Picks Up Steam
Willamette Week, Nigel Jaquiss, March 19, 2025
CHIEF SPONSOR: Sen. Lisa Reynolds (D-Portland) along with 17 Democratic co-sponsors (and no Republicans).
WHAT IT WOULD DO: Senate Bill 702 would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products or “inhalant delivery system product”—i.e., vapes—and flavored nicotine products, including synthetic nicotine pouches.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Community Conversation
Last Saturday, I held my 139th Community Conversation in Hillsboro. I was able to meet with many members of the community, and discuss issues important to them. I look forward to continuing the conversation and seeing you at an upcoming event.
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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