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To contact me, please click here: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We have reached another milestone in the 2025 Legislative Session: the Second Chamber Posting Deadline. If a bill has already passed out of the House or Senate, it then goes to the other chamber to be reviewed. The second chamber deadline is the last day most bills can be assigned a work session in that second chamber. This deadline also applies to the Joint Committee on Transportation.
As we move through May, we also enter the season of graduation, new chapters, and community gatherings in sunny weather. As you enjoy the festivities and celebrate accomplishments with loved ones, please remember to gather safely, drive responsibly, and look out for one another!
Finally, I would like to congratulate Senator Courtney Neron Misslin on her appointment to the Oregon State Senate. As the former Chair of the House Education Committee, Sen. Neron Misslin was an advocate for our students and a strong education system. I know she will represent Senate District 13 well.
In this newsletter, you'll find:
- A recap of my votes this week
- Opportunities to engage with the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project
- A win for students from the Oregon Department of Justice
- Highlights from meetings and events at the Capitol this week
- Events and good news in Washington County
BILL TO REMOVE OFFENSIVE NAMES PASSES
I was proud to join my colleagues in the House this week to advance the Dignity in Place Act, HB 3532. The bill, led by Representative Tawna Sanchez would expedite a multi-decade effort to rename derogatorily named waterways, valleys, roads and more, in Oregon including Squaw Creek (Douglas County), Chinaman Hat (Josephine County) and Cannibal Mountain (Lincoln County).
In 2021, the U.S. Department of the Interior established a process to review and replace derogatory names of U.S. federal lands, including the slur “squaw.”
The bill builds on legislation from then-Sen. Kate Brown passed in 2001 (HB488) to eliminate derogatory geographic names from Oregon. The 2001 legislation came at the request of two women from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Since then, the Oregon Historical Society has compiled a list of 107 geographic locations bearing offensive names, but many remain unchanged.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
HOUSE PASSES HB 2931 ON I-5 BRIDGE
The House passed HB 2931 A this week, which is a bill that updates statutory language on the I-5 Bridge Replacement project. The Interstate Bridge is a critical regional, national, and international transportation link. Replacement of the bridge is vital for environmental, equity, and economic improvements.
This bill simply continues the financial dialogue with our bi-state partners in the Washington Legislature in support of our state’s commitment to replace the Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River. It modifies Oregon laws related to financing the bi-state I-5 Bridge project to enable the delivery and implementation of the new bridge in partnership with Washington State and protects Oregon from financial obligation to the project over 50%.
The existing bridge poses immediate safety and congestion issues as we face the possibility of failure if a major earthquake occurs. Crash rates in the area are over three times higher than the statewide average. There are no safety shoulders, and emergency vehicles cannot even cross the bridge at certain times of the day. In addition, the existing path does not provide adequate space for people walking, biking, or rolling.
The passage of HB 2931 helps ensure that our statutes keep up with the evolving program needs and that we continue to be responsible stewards of this critically important project and good partners with Washington State.
RENTAL HEAT PUMP PROGRAM UPDATE
HB 2567 is awaiting the signature of Governor Kotek after passage in the Legislature this week. The bill strengthens the vital Heat Pump Deployment Programs and extends the Rental Program, ensuring more Oregonians can access energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions.
As I wrote about in my newsletter last week, the Oregon Department of Energy runs the Oregon Rental Home Heat Pump program. It provides rebates to landlords installing energy efficient heat pumps and electrical upgrades from approved contractors to rental properties. Tenants living in rented rooms, houses, apartment buildings, manufactured homes and recreational vehicles qualify.
The program works directly with contractors. Landlords must contact approved contractors to begin a project. The rebate will be paid to the contractor who will then pass the savings to the homeowner.
EXPANDED LEARNING FOR JUDGES PASSES
SB 710 passed the House this week and now heads to Governor Kotek's desk for signing. This bill establishes continuing education requirements for judges that include domestic violence, assault, and stalking.
Specifically, the measure authorizes the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court to establish minimum continuing education requirements for judges of the county circuit courts, tax court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. It further provides that the continuing education requirements established by the measure must include evidence-based and trauma-informed education related to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other matters related to interpersonal violence.
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENT REMINDERS
In recent newsletters, I've highlighted upcoming engagement opportunities and I wanted to briefly remind you about them and reinforce that feedback is an important part of the process that we are undertaking to replace the I-5 Bridge.
♦ I-5 Traveler Preference Survey
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Some community members in the Portland-Vancouver metro area, including Western Washington County, might soon spot a postcard in their mailbox inviting them to take part in an anonymous passenger vehicle traveler preference survey. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are jointly conducting this survey to help estimate travelers’ value of time perceptions and willingness to pay for travel time savings when crossing the river between Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon.
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The survey includes questions about topics such as frequency of travel, origin and destination of trips, travel times, preference for travel across the I-5 or I-205 bridge under certain conditions and more. The data collected from this survey will be used in a future analysis to predict what choices travelers will make once a toll is implemented and ensure that adequate revenue can be generated to help fund construction of IBR Program investments.
To ensure the responses are reflective of typical I-5 users, postcards are being mailed to randomly selected residential addresses based on the proportional percentage of estimated Interstate Bridge travelers from each zip code. I hope that people who receive a postcard with a link to the survey take time to complete it. Each postcard includes a link with instructions to complete the survey online. I-5 travelers completing the survey will help the model better predict future travel behavior once a toll is implemented. Since the Interstate Bridge is a key regional freight corridor, outreach is also being conducted to freight travelers who use I-5 and the Interstate Bridge.
♦ Historic Preservation Open House
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As part of a robust cultural resources consultation process required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program is holding a Section 106 Online Open House and Public Comment Period from May 5 to June 5.
All avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures for historic properties will be implemented through a Programmatic Agreement. The Online Open House and Public Comment Period is an opportunity for the community to review and provide input on the Draft Programmatic Agreement, which outlines how the IBR Program will mitigate known adverse effects to historic properties and the processes and procedures the Program will follow throughout construction.
Historic properties within the IBR Program’s Area of Potential Effects (APE) were identified through field survey, consultation and background research. These properties were evaluated to determine their eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The evaluation of each property is documented in a Determination of Eligibility (DOE) form. To meet the requirements of Section 106, a Finding of Effect (FOE) form was prepared for NRHP listed or eligible properties to evaluate effects from IBR Program activities. The Program will adjust the APE, if appropriate, based on new information as the Program design progresses.
Any adverse effects to historic properties within the IBR Program’s Area of Potential Effects will be avoided or minimized, if feasible, or mitigated. There is no formula for mitigation. Appropriate mitigation is project-specific and takes into consideration project impacts and the needs of the local community.
Public input will help guide the outcome of the Section 106 process, including development of the Final Programmatic Agreement. The Final Programmatic Agreement will be executed prior to the issuance of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and will be included as an appendix to the Final SEIS.
The public has from May 5 to June 5 to provide their comments on the Draft Programmatic Agreement. Those interested in participating can begin reviewing the open house here.
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AG RAYFIELD RESTORES ACCESS TO $1 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS
This week, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, alongside a coalition of 16 other state leaders, secured a critical legal victory restoring access to over $1 billion in federal education funds. These funds, withheld by the Trump Administration, support vital programs for low-income and unhoused students, and are essential for helping our schools recover from the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AG Rayfield spoke about the significance of the preliminary injunction issued on Wednesday, which immediately restores states’ access to these critical funds as the case continues:
“This is a win for Oregon students. These funds were supposed to help kids who’ve had it the hardest – students from low-income families and kids without stable housing. Trying to hold that support hostage over a political fight was just wrong. We stepped in to stop it, and the court backed us up.”
Oregon leaders are committed to protecting our community and standing up against federal overreach. You can read more about this case from the Oregon Department of Justice here.
CENTRO MERCADO GRAND OPENING
I was proud to speak at today’s Centro Mercado Grand Opening Ceremony in Cornelius alongside Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Executive Director Maria Caballero Rubio.
In 2021, legislators were granted funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for local community improvement projects, and Former Senator Chuck Riley and I both selected Centro Cultural’s Mercado project to receive part of our ARPA funds, with my contribution totaling $660,000.
Centro used the funds to purchase a building in Downtown Cornelius to expand their food pantry program to a new and dedicated location. The new Centro Mercado is at 1216 Baseline Street, a block away from Centro Cultural. It now houses a storefront grocery-style food pantry that allows community members to select their food with dignity and respect.
After following the years of planning, construction, and development that Centro put into this project, it was exciting to see the end result today. I am grateful to Centro Cultural for their 50+ years of service to empower and uplift our community. I know this space will be an incredible resource for Western Washington County.
CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY
This week had a festive start with a birthday surprise from Team McLain! Thank you to everyone who stopped by and reached out to share well wishes.
My staff and I had the opportunity to hear from numerous higher education students and community leaders this week. Students from University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon University, and Southern Oregon University advocated for robust higher education funding and support for Student Basic Needs resources. We discussed the importance of affordable tuition, as well as food and housing security. I also enjoyed connecting with the President of Southern Oregon University about the needs of Technical and Regional Universities. I began my teaching career in Phoenix-Talent School District, and the Southern Oregon community has a special place in my heart.
I also appreciated hearing from community advocates on immigration, housing, and climate resilience issues. LULAC spoke with me and my team about the importance of standing up for the rights of immigrants, especially as federal actions continue to impact our communities.
We heard from Building Resilience about protecting housing and addressing the impacts of climate change. We discussed how high utility costs impact the safety and stability of Oregonians, and my focus on finding solutions to make climate resilient housing accessible. We also spoke about support for the POWER Act, HB 3546, a bill I am co-sponsoring to hold big tech accountable for their disproportionate energy use.
Finally, I connected with Latino Network members, who shared stories about their direct service work in youth violence prevention, housing stability and homeless response, and immigration legal services and social support. Thank you to all of the advocates who visited the Capitol this week to advocate for essential services that uplift our communities.
NEARLY 1,000 BOOKS DONATED TO WASHCO
The Washington County Early Learning Hub donated 980 early childhood books and three bookcases to locations in Beaverton, Tigard and Hillsboro. These books will promote early literacy in our public buildings and provide opportunities for families to engage with one another as they wait to access services. The donated books are written in numerous languages, including Arabic, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. You can read more about this donation in the Hillsboro News Times by clicking here.
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Portland Youth Philharmonic Performance
Enjoy a performance of both classical and contemporary works from the orchestra’s chamber ensemble, Camerata PYP. Click here for more information.
WHERE: Walters Cultural Arts Center
WHEN: Saturday, May 17th at 2 pm
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Registration Open for OMSI Summer Camps
OMSI will offer STEAM summer camps at Tamarack Elementary School for students in grades 2-8! From design and robotics to chemistry and astronomy, there are lots of options to check out. Click here for more information.
WHERE: Tamarack Elementary School
WHEN: Summer 2025
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Centro Cultural Hazardous Waste Collection
Do you have items you don't know how to dispose of? Bring them safely to the Free Hazardous Waste Collection Event. Please prepare by bringing all items securely packed. Click here for more information.
WHERE: 1110 North Adair Street, Cornelius OR
WHEN: Saturday, May 31st from 10 am to 1 pm
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Local Farmers Markets
Spring is here and our local farmers markets have returned! Check out the fresh produce, food, and crafts.
Forest Grove
WHEN: Wednesdays from 4 pm to 8 pm
WHERE: 2030 Main Street, Suite A
Cornelius
WHEN: Fridays from 4 pm to 8 pm
WHERE: 1591 N Adair St.
Downtown Hillsboro
WHEN: Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm
WHERE: 150 E Main Street
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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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Washington County Crimson Clover—one of my favorite May crops!
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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