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Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov
Is that Dan Rayfield?
Hello Friends,
Now hear me out on this one - former Corvallis State Representative and former House Speaker, Dan Rayfield has been leading Oregon's fight against an ever-growing authoritarian regime in the Washington, DC universe. Fueled by peanut butter sandwiches, now Oregon Attorney General Day Rayfield is teamed up with Governor Kotek and has so far defended and saved $4.4 B as in Billion bucks. That's enough money to build 110,000 U.S. homes, pay for 4 years at OSU for 297,000 students, or buy 601,000 platinum experience tickets to the World Cup final next summer (a woman can dream).
Additionally, he and his team led the fight in the lower court and in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the ruling that Trump's tariffs are unlawful. Check him out on MSNBC here: Trump urges Supreme Court to protect tariff agenda. The Supreme Court will hear Trump’s appeal of the decision in the fall.
Not only that, but the DOJ website has information on: Reproductive Health Care Services, Gender-Affirming Care Resources, and Immigration Services and Support Resources, which we'll cover in more detail below. You can find a full list of litigation Oregon, let by AG Rayfield, is part of on the Oregon DOJ litigation tracker.
But alas, the DC Universe is what it is, and the Governor is in the Marvel Universe. She's already stood tall before the man once, and now she's joined forces with Washington State and California to ensure we have access to safe vaccines. More below!
My hat is off to our AG and our governor. We are lucky to have their leadership.
COVID-19 VACCINE
The Democratic governors of Oregon, Washington, and California have announced a new public health partnership focused on safeguarding access to vaccines.
The initiative, known as the Western Health Alliance, has been joined by Hawaii. It will create its own immunization guidelines, drawing on recommendations from leading national medical organizations, according to a joint press release issued Wednesday by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The alliance will initially focus on the fall respiratory season and ensuring state recommendations are evidence-based. States will work together to establish best practices but may have different processes and timelines for implementation because of differences in legal authority.
“The CDC has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences. California, Oregon, and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk,” the governors said in a joint prepared statement.
Here’s what to we know TODAY about COVID-19 vaccine access:
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- The FDA's approval of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine formulations was narrower than in previous years, limiting use to adults over 65 and those with high-risk medical conditions.
- The Oregon Board of Pharmacy has not made any changes to pharmacists’ authority to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon. Oregon pharmacists cannot administer vaccines without a prescription until a protocol is adopted.
- The federal government has not adopted a protocol for the new formulation but may do so during the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting on September 18-19th.
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What this means: In addition to narrower eligibility criteria imposed by the FDA, Oregonians may experience additional barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines at a pharmacy without a prescription until a protocol is adopted by the federal government. This is causing confusion and disruption to access to the COVID vaccine and may reduce its overall use.
- When a protocol becomes available and is adopted by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists will be able to prescribe and administer the new formulation following the protocol. The governor is working with OHA to review Oregon statues and determine what steps need to be taken to insure vaccine access.
- For reference, the Oregonian covered this disruption via the Alliance announcement on 9/3, you can view the state pharmacy association comments here.
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How to get a vaccine:
- It is best to call ahead to the pharmacy to see what options are available for your specific circumstances. If you have a doctor, talk to them about getting the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine at their office or at the pharmacy with a provider prescription. When the federal protocol becomes available and it or an alternative protocol is adopted by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists may have greater ability to provide vaccinations to those who are approved for use without a prescription.
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Insurance:
- Federal law requires insurance companies to cover vaccines recommended by the ACIP. But there is not a recommendation yet. To be sure your insurance company will cover your vaccine, talk to your provider and insurance company. The CDC estimate of cost/dose is $141 for adults and $77 for children.
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UPDATES: If a protocol is adopted that changes vaccine access, I will send out an update.
Unfortunately, President Trump's private army was in Corvallis last week. Just two blocks from an elementary school, they targeted a geographical area that would instill fear in the community.
Oregon is a sanctuary state. I’ve spoken with the Corvallis Police Chief and Corvallis School District Superintendent, and no cooperation is being given to ICE.
Justice demands that law enforcement be accountable for their actions. That means knowing who is policing us, and that those officers are identifiable in the streets. That’s how we know they aren’t just abducting people. I am working with my colleagues to develop legislative efforts to address these issues.
“Your papers, please” doesn’t belong in America in 2025. It belongs in black and white movies in our past. Just like this regime.
Know Your Rights!
The Oregon Department of Justice has your back. Just last week they updated their website to include resources for communities and individuals who are being impacted. Check out that link here: Immigration Services and Support Resources - Oregon Department of Justice Español: Promesa de Santuario - Oregon Department of Justice
Rep Cyrus Javadi (HD 32-Tillamook)
“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.” —Bob Dylan
I welcome Rep Javadi to the Democratic Party. Having seen his integrity and work ethic first-hand, I can say that we are all lucky to have him, and his district is well-served.
Below is his press release announcing his decision:
TILLAMOOK, OR – State Representative Cyrus Javadi (HD 32-Tillamook) announced today that he changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in advance of yesterday’s deadline for incumbent candidates running for re-election to file with the major political party of their choice.
“Being an elected leader has never been about party loyalty to me, it’s been about how I can best fight for our community and our state. Like the vast majority of my constituents, I support our constitution and the right to freedom of speech, support the rule of law, believe we have a moral obligation to treat people fairly and with respect, and believe that as elected leaders it’s our job to show up and govern, for the sake of ordinary people, not the interests of the powerful and well-connected.”
“Too many extreme politicians in today’s Republican Party have abandoned these values, which is why I made the decision to join the Democratic Party. I’m not leaving my principles, just aligning with people who still share them, still show up to govern, and are more interested in bipartisan solutions than obstruction. My loyalty is first and foremost to the people of my district and I won’t waver from my values in order to fit into a partisan mold.”
First elected to the legislature in 2022, Rep. Javadi, who serves as vice-chair of the House Committee on Health Care, has championed policies to bring down the costs of health care and prescription drugs, fight overdose deaths, and stand up for crime victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
“Rep. Cyrus Javadi has worked relentlessly to create good jobs and fight rising costs for coastal families. He doesn’t hide behind political slogans or shy away from tough conversation,” said Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar. “He is dedicated solely to his constituents and for that, he’s earned our trust and respect, regardless of political party.”
Rep. Javadi’s advocacy has delivered millions of dollars for services and infrastructure projects in coastal communities, including $6 million to Columbia Memorial Hospital, $1.4 million for detox and substance use recovery centers in Clatsop and Tillamook Counties, $2.7 million for water safety and storm preparedness in Manzanita, and much more.
“As an elected official in a non-partisan office, I care about results, not party politics,” said Commissioner Chair Mark Kujala. “The Clatsop County Commission unanimously established legislative priorities at the beginning of this year and Rep. Cyrus Javadi was a champion for each and every one of them in Salem, delivering major wins for our community.”
“It’s been clear for years that Rep. Javadi’s loyalty is to the residents of the North Coast, not to any politician or political party. I look forward to continuing to work with him to move our region forward, regardless of what letter is next to his name on the ballot,” said Clatsop County Commissioner Lianne Thompson.
In addition to serving in the legislature, Rep. Javadi has a doctorate in dental surgery and operates a dental clinic in Tillamook. Previously he has served as a Commissioner for the Port of Tillamook, the Dental Director for the Tillamook County Health Department, and board member and secretary for the Oregon Dental Association.
Upcoming Events
 The Corvallis Witches Paddle
Fall in Corvallis is always an exciting time with the farmers market in full swing, OSU football and the return of students, performances at The Majestic and PRAx, corn mazes, beer week, and more. Check out all the events at Visit Corvallis!
Corvallis Fall Festival, Sept. 27-28, always a fun combination of art, food, and Saturday night street party.
A Haunted Night On Broadway will be showing on Sun Nov 2, 3:00 PM at the LaSells Stewart Center.
Yours truly,
 Representative Sarah McDonald
House District 16
email: Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1416
address: 900 Court St NE, H-477, Salem, OR 97301
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website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mcdonald
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