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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Save the Date! Town Hall with Senator Lisa Reynolds and Reps Mari Watanabe and Nathan Sosa. Thursday, October 2nd. 5:30-7:00PM at PCC Rock Creek. Register to attend at this link here.
Legislative Updates
Transportation Funding Measure Timeline
I continue to hear from many of you, thank you for sharing your stories with me. I understand and appreciate the concerns about layering new taxes and fees, combined with inflation, uncertain job market and utility rate hikes, the pressure on families is real. There are additional cost pressures coming from federal tariffs that we are starting to see on our purchases. Experts indicate that on average, Oregon families will see a $3800 increase in costs per year due to tariffs. I get your frustration, tariffs are not something that we can weigh in on as individuals and have any sort of control over, so I understand the drive to speak out where and when you can to seek change.
I approach this decision knowing that this bill will help save jobs, both at the state level and locally, especially in an economy where financial stability is of utmost importance. This is not just about jobs for ODOT agency workers. There is a ripple effect to not being able to fund road improvement projects when the private construction companies that work on these projects have no money coming in, they have to let their workers go or move to another state where the jobs are happening. Knowing that this bill will also protect transit for a large portion of our friends and neighbors who rely on transit to move through their daily lives is critical. This bill will also keep roads plowed and protected in the winter months in our most rural areas across Oregon. And finally, accountability measures are very important and I am thankful Oregon's trusted Secretary of State will be keeping a keen eye to the audit process, my stance is that it will be an integral component moving forward on future investments.
Environmental Updates
NCEL 2025 Legislative Session Recap
Shared from the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators works with an extensive network of legislators across the country. Through individual outreach, various working groups, regional events, and more, NCEL works to provide resources for legislators’ interests.
Each year, NCEL staff produces a Legislative Session Recap showcasing trends and milestones in state-level environmental policy. Now more than ever, the action of states in the fight for a healthy environment and thriving communities is crucial.
Over the past year, federal executive action and the recent reconciliation bill have deprioritized renewable energy investments, taken steps to reduce the impact of the nation’s bedrock environmental laws, and scaled back various agencies’ ability to protect the health of our climate, air, water, wildlife, and communities.
Below are some of the major legislative trends and successful policies that states passed in 2025 to meet this moment and ensure a healthy environment for all.
Jump to a section: General Trends | Climate Accountability | Transmission & Utilities | Emerging Energy Technologies | Endangered Species | Outdoor Engagement | Habitat Connectivity | Plastic Pollution & Zero Waste | Toxic Chemicals & PFAS | Cumulative Impacts | Offshore Energy | Marine Biodiversity | Blue Economy
Most of the sections in this recap contain non-exhaustive lists of enacted legislation. You are encouraged to follow the link at the bottom of each section for a complete list of enacted legislation.
Intern Corner
AI Usage and Consumption
With the rapidly growing use of artificial intelligence in today’s society, almost everyone is looking for places to incorporate it in their lives. Opinions vary on the best ways to do so. Although the debate is heavy right now on its ethical usage in school, art, and in the workplace, one thing many of these conversations overlook is the environmental toll it takes to generate the technology in the first place.
AI data centers require immense amounts of electricity and water to function. In order to cool their servers, AI companies have significantly increased their water consumption, as the demand for AI products escalates. On average, centers can evaporate around 1-9 liters per kWh of server energy for cooling purposes. In the midst of a global climate crisis and freshwater scarcity, this practice raises many sustainability concerns. The United States is currently dealing with its own alarming freshwater shortages due to factors such as droughts and reliance on shrinking water sources. AI data centers are merely accelerating the decline of this precious natural resource. Though the conversation of AI in the modern world is incredibly multi-faceted, we should remember that its problems go beyond just the way we choose to utilize it; it’s equally important to discuss how much we utilize it.
~Helena V.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Forest Grove Farmers Market
It was wonderful to be out in community on Wednesday afternoon at the Adelante Mujeres Farmers Market in Forest Grove. The Forest Grove market runs every Wednesday from 4:00-8:00pmt through October 30th. Make sure to get a visit in before the season ends. Its a great way to support our community and local small business.
Hillsboro Hops Season Ender
This weekend, we rounded out our time in the Hillsboro Ballpark cheering on our hometown heroes, the Hillsboro Hops. For 12 seasons we have stood with our friends, family and neighbors in building community. What a beautiful run! Next year the team moves to the brand new ballpark across the parking lot. I am grateful for the memories and excited for the new opportunities the new stadium will bring to the community.
Helvetia Farm Fair
Last Friday evening was a beautiful night at Helvetia Farm Market for their Farm Fair! We enjoyed music, food, treats, drinks, local marketers and neighbors. It was a great event bringing people together to celebrate community.
Community Outreach
Community Bike Ride and Walk
Shared from Hillsboro School District
The City of Hillsboro invites community members of all ages to participate in a family-friendly bike ride/walk on the new Shute Road multi-use path (https://tinyurl.com/2y7pw3yp) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 13. Meet at the Brookwood Public Library bike pavilion for a quick refresher on bike and helmet safety, enjoy some light refreshments, and join a staff-led ride or walk.
Paseo en Bicicleta y Caminata
La ciudad de Hillsboro invita a los miembros de la comunidad de todas las edades a participar en una actividad familiar llamada Paseo en Bicicleta/Caminata por el Nuevo Sendero Multiuso de Shute Road (https://tinyurl.com/2y7pw3yp) el sábado, 13 de septiembre a las 10:00 a.m. Reúnase en el pabellón para bicicletas de la Biblioteca Pública de Brookwood para un breve repaso sobre la seguridad en bicicleta y el uso del casco, disfrutar de algunos refrigerios ligeros y unirse al paseo/caminata guiados por el personal.
Understanding the Impacts of Suicide: How our Community Can Help to Prevent Suicide
Shared from Just Create Community
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a painful subject which we feel uncomfortable talking about. But we must talk about it, bring it out of the shadows, shine a path of community light for those who may be walking in the darkness of these thoughts.
On September 25th, you are invited to join Just Create Community’s “SHARE LEARN CONNECT” education series in partnership with Medicare Mark Fuchs, LLC for:
𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦, a panel discussion, featuring 5 special guests:
💜 Ashley Taylor, VA Portland Health Care System
🩵 Dra. Ruth Zúñiga, Raíces de Bienestar
💜 Kera Magarill, Washington County Disability Aging & Veteran Services
🩵 Dr. Diane Kaufman, Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention
💜Sofia Bieniak, Westside QRC
Thursday September 25th
5:30pm-7pm
Washington Street Conference Center
102 SW Washington St
Free parking in the upper levels of the Washington Street Parking Structure, 1st & Washington.
Hope you can come be part of this important discussion.
Vietnamese Star Lantern
Shared from the Hillsboro Public Library
🌟 Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with us! 🌙✨
Join us for Vietnamese Star Lantern (đèn ông sao) Making
📅 Tuesday, September 30, 2025
🕕 6 – 7:30 pm
📍 Brookwood Library
Create your own beautiful star lantern in honor of Tết Trung Thu, a festival filled with light, joy, and tradition. 🌟 During the celebration, children parade with lanterns symbolizing happiness, guidance, and hope.
All supplies provided. Ages 13+.
👉 Registration required! https://bit.ly/3JD4Q5K
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Immigration Resources
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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