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To contact me, please click here: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
Happy belated Labor Day to all! I hope everyone enjoyed some fun and rest over the long weekend. Labor Day is an opportunity to honor the contributions of working people and the labor movement. Here in Oregon and everywhere, working people deserve fair wages and safe conditions. I'll keep fighting to ensure our workers have the rights and protections they need to thrive.
This is also a big week for students, families, and educators in our community. To all those getting ready for a new school year, I wish you a great first week of classes! Thank you to the teachers, staff, and administrators who are working hard to support our learners in this exciting chapter.
After public hearings, a work session, and a floor vote, the House wrapped up our special session work on Monday. In this newsletter, I'll share more about why we came together and what we accomplished.
Keep reading for:
- A recap of the special session on transportation
- My live segment on KATU News
- New resources from the Oregon Dept of Justice
- An update on Oregon's fight to protect vote-by-mail
- Upcoming events in Washington County & more!
ABOVE: Rep. Sosa, Rep. Tran, and I enjoyed catching up on the House Floor.
 
A Special Session Recap
Here's the big news: the House passed HB 3991 and HB 3992, a transportation funding package to keep up essential services and prevent drastic cuts to ODOT's workforce.
As many of you know, I've spent the last three years working on improving our transportation system and finding sustainable funding for our roads and bridges. While this isn't a perfect solution, the bills we passed over Labor Day weekend are a solid step forward.
People have asked me—why did I vote yes?
Before taking this vote, I heard from local leaders in every corner of the state who shared about their communities' urgent need for funding. I received messages from seniors in rural areas who count on plowed roads in the winter to get their groceries and see a doctor. ODOT workers who keep our system running smoothly explained how the loss of their colleagues would erode daily operations and put Oregonians at risk. Keeping our roads and bridges safe and usable requires investment in maintenance.
I also heard from our community about very real cost of living challenges. Affordability is top of mind, and I know rising costs are putting pressure on family budgets. I don't take raising taxes and fees lightly. But the cost of doing nothing is far too high.
A dysfunctional transportation system compromises safety, damages vehicles, and prevents people from getting where they need to go. When we fail to maintain and preserve our infrastructure, we risk real and dangerous consequences. Potholes blow out tires, collapsed culverts destroy ecosystems and jeopardize public safety, and unmanaged winter weather conditions delay emergency responders.
The truth is, our transportation system is already stretched thin. We spent this past session refocusing on the core mission, conducting strategic reviews of ODOT operations, and supporting the agency in implementing recommended changes. The budget these bills will fulfill already contains $55 million in efficiencies and reductions. Every public dollar must be used responsibly, and accountability was a top priority of this transportation plan. The bills we passed strengthen oversight and audits so we can trust our resources are used wisely.
 ABOVE: Rep. Dobson and I chatted while waiting for Floor to begin.
I want to share my opening speech about why this bill in necessary and how it will impact every Oregonian. Please click below to hear my thoughts, and keep watching to see the full debate on the House Floor:
If you'd like to hear from other voices on this issue, I recommend checking out Senator Golden's recent newsletter here. He shares a very thoughtful reflection on our need for transportation funding. A number of my colleagues also offered important perspectives during our robust floor debate, linked above.
Here's what's ahead:
The House has adjourned for now, and the bills will move to the Senate for consideration on September 17th. Governor Kotek has directed ODOT to extend the effective date of layoffs to October 15 to prevent service and employment interruptions.
Live Interview on KATU News
Before we began our legislative work for the day, I gave a live interview to KATU News early on Friday morning. I highlight why transportation funding is so critical and talk about my expectations for the special session. Click below to watch:
 
Oregon Dept. of Justice Immigration Toolkit
The Oregon DOJ and Attorney General Rayfield released an Immigration Services and Support Resources toolkit to share important information and resources in one location. Take a look to learn about ICE, federal immigration enforcement, and your legal rights. This toolkit also includes links to services for immigrant and refugee community members.
Oregon Leaders Stand Up for Vote-By-Mail
President Trump continues his attack on vote-by-mail systems, but Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is standing up to this overreach. Trump has threatened to release an executive order banning mail-in voting, attempting to bypass Constitutional provisions that leave election administration up to the states.
As Oregonians, we know that vote-by-mail is secure and effective. Our system has worked for 25 years, and we don't plan to walk away from it now.
You can read Tobias Read's full interview on this issue below:
 
Sign Up for Community Office Hours
Do you have questions and want to speak to someone about the I-5 Bridge Replacement Program?
Program staff hosts regular office hours to answer questions on a range of topics, including design, potential future contracting opportunities, community engagement, financial plans, and the Draft SEIS!
Sign up for IBR office hours, in person or virtually, and get your questions answered!
Please make a 30-minute reservation at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments can be scheduled using one of three ways:
Schedule: See availability on our website
Email: info@interstatebridge.org
Call: 888-503-6735
 
Washington County Legislative Debrief
State legislators representing Washington County have been invited to participate in a moderated Q&A session. Attendees will hear reflections on the session and have a chance to ask questions and share feedback on the issues that matter most to local businesses. Click here to learn more.
WHEN: Thursday, September 11 from 4-6 pm
WHERE: Embassy Suites Washington Square, Tigard
Public Lecture at Pacific University
Jeff Goodell, author of The Heat Will Kill You First, will be speaking about his book. Goodell’s talk will explore the connections between climate, inequality, and survival.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 1 at 7 pm
WHERE: Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center, Pacific University
Free to attend | Registration required: pacificu.edu/Goodell
Willamette Writers Workshop in Hillsboro
 Join your Hillsboro Chapter and editor Amber Finnegan to explore the various types and stages of editing. She will also offer editorial guidelines and expectations for working with freelance editors. Click here to learn more.
Willamette Writers meetings are free and open to all writers. Middle and high school writers are encouraged to join Young Willamette Writers.
WHEN: September 9 from 6:30-8 pm (doors open at 6)
WHERE: Hillsboro Brookwood Library (2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy)
 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
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!
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WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES
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.
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RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS
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.
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STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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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Looking at flowers and Willamette University on the walk between House and Senate this week...
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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