Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
This has been a week of heavy news. More school shootings and political violence have rocked our communities and shaken our foundational values. There is no place for gun violence anywhere—not in our schools and not in our political process. We cannot allow these acts to become normalized. No one should fear for their safety as they attend class, participate in political dialogue, or take part in a community event. My prayers are with the victims, families, and all those impacted.
Our nation and state face significant challenges, but we cannot tolerate the use of violence or intimidation in our democracy. Political violence endangers all of us. As we engage with different viewpoints and navigate the road ahead, it is critical that we recognize our shared humanity. Decency and civility are not just nice ideas—they are core tenets of our political system and community. We all have a responsibility to uphold them.
 
🚨 Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Access 🚨
I've received questions from members of our community about how to access an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall. I am concerned by the lack of nationwide and clear direction that has historically come from the federal government on vaccine science and distribution.
The state is working on solutions to mitigate interruptions to vaccine access. It’s important to note that each state has different rules, laws, and authorities that create different barriers or opportunities. All options are on the table to support Oregonians.
What happened:
- Oregonians are facing challenges because of limited FDA use authorization and lack of clear protocols adopted by the federal government to allow for pharmacist administration of vaccinations. Oregonians are used to going to the pharmacy to receive vaccinations in preparation for the November-January respiratory season.
What Oregon is doing to step in:
- While we wait for federal protocol, the Oregon Health Authority, in coordination with the Governor’s office, the State Board of Pharmacy, and other state agencies continue their work to identify all options available to mitigate the disruption this federal delay has caused – including at local pharmacies.
- The state is expediting efforts to identify and implement necessary legal and regulatory actions. This includes evaluating mechanisms like standing orders to streamline vaccine delivery.
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This month, Governor Kotek entered a partnership with Governors from Washington, Hawaii and California to form the Western Health Alliance in response to arbitrary changes to vaccine recommendations and anticipated further politicization of health care. In addition to aligning guidance from independent, established clinical authorities, the alliance will initially be focused on the impending fall respiratory season and ensuring state recommendations are evidence-based in response to broader, further changes at the federal government. Alliance states will work together to find alignment and best practices, and each state may have different processes and timelines for implementation based on the recommendation and legal authorities
Here’s how to get a vaccine:
- It is best to call ahead to the pharmacy to see what options are available for your specific circumstances. Oregonians can talk to their provider about getting a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine at their provider’s office or at the pharmacy with a provider prescription.
- When the federal protocol becomes available and is adopted by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists will have greater ability to provide vaccinations to those who are approved for use without a prescription.
- The Oregon Health Authority is currently leading the state’s participation in the Western Health Alliance; if other vaccination guidelines or standard protocols are adopted by the state, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy would take appropriate action to align with those standards.
 
Celebrating the Freedom to Read Act
A bright spot in this week was the celebration of SB 1098, the Freedom to Read Act. This bill was put forward to address a concerning pattern: according to the State Library of Oregon, libraries and schools in Oregon reported challenges to more books and other materials in 2023-24 than at any point since the Library began collecting data. This bill makes it clear in statute that library books and instructional materials cannot be removed from curriculum simply for reflecting the identity or experience of a member of a protected class.
SB 1098 was introduced and championed by Senator Lew Frederick, and I am proud to have supported his efforts. As a teacher of over 42 years, I have seen how stories can impact students' lives. It was always my goal that each child would find a book they connect with. This is why I will continue to stand up for students' right to read about a diverse range of experiences, identities, and perspectives. When this bill came to the House Floor, I spoke in support. You can watch my speech here.
The ACLU and other champions of the Freedom to Read Act celebrated the success of SB 1098 at the iconic Powell's City of Books on Wednesday. Thanks to all of the teachers, parents, and advocates who helped get this policy across the finish line!
ABOVE: Legislators and champions of SB 1098 at Powell's. Photo credit to Sarah Arbuckle.
Washington County Chamber of Commerce Partnership Legislative Debrief
Last night, I was honored to join six of my colleagues for the Washington County Chamber's debrief of the 2025 Legislative Session. We discussed some key issues impacting Oregon's economy and business community, ranging from workforce development to infrastructure investments. This was an important conversation—we all recognized that our state has work ahead to strengthen our economy and fully fund our essential services. I appreciated hearing from Chamber members, other legislators, and community leaders about their priorities and goals for the coming years.
Forest Grove City Council Presentation
On Monday evening, I joined Senator Sollman to give an update to the Forest Grove City Council. We shared about our work during the 2025 Legislative Session and the impacts of the transportation funding package under consideration this special session. I spoke about the urgent need for this special session bill to stabilize our system, prevent drastic cuts to the services our communities count on, and hold ODOT accountable to keeping our roads and bridges safe. I also highlighted that this bill preserves the 50-30-20 split, which designates half of our state transportation revenue to cities and counties. This funding distribution provides our local jurisdictions with the resources they need to keep up safety and maintenance operations in every community.
Westside Economic Alliance Presentation
I was glad to attend Thursday's WEA Government Relations and Transportation Joint Committee Meeting to provide an update to members on the status of the transportation funding package. We had a great conversation about the importance of a safe, functional transportation system for the continued growth of our economy. Thank you to all those who attended and engaged in the conversation.
Business Oregon Infrastructure Summit
My Chief of Staff, Grace, attended the the Business Oregon Infrastructure Summit in Seaside to hear from leaders on current issues and opportunities in infrastructure. These discussions and presentations included updates on climate resilience in our transportation system, electric grid modernization, and innovative housing development methods. She also heard from leaders like Oregon Business and Industry President Angela Wilhelms on our state's current economic landscape. Thanks to the organizers and presenters who made this a successful day!
 
Reflecting on the Anniversary of Labor Day Fires
This month marked the five year anniversary of Oregon's 2020 Labor Day fires. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, these five fires rank in Oregon’s top 20 largest
wildfires since 1900 and, combined, they burned nearly 850,000 acres of forests. Eleven lives were lost and more than 4,000 homes were destroyed during Oregon’s 2020 wildfire season. The impacts of these devastating fires are still felt in communities across the state. This week especially, I have thought of those who have lost homes, communities, and loved ones to wildfires.
Our wildfire season continues this year, and we each have a role to play to prevent the next fire. We can be mindful of restrictions and risk by staying informed. The State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard provides live updates to active fires in Oregon. Click below to view the dashboard.
 
Hillsboro City Council Legislative Debrief
Next Tuesday, I will be at the Hillsboro City Council meeting to provide an update on the 2025 Session and answer any questions about legislative action. Meetings are open to the public.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 16th at 7 pm
WHERE: Hillsboro Civic Center, or join via Zoom on a phone, computer, or mobile device. A livestream of the broadcast is available on TVCTV Channel 30 online or on television.
Zoom Details
Phone: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 851 4863 9488
Password: 932487
Join the Zoom Meeting.
 Forest Grove Annual Corn Roast
Established in 1964, Forest Grove’s Corn Roast was a way to introduce incoming educators and celebrate the beginning of Fall!
Celebrate the bounty of Forest Grove! Food, Vendors, Games, Crafts, Music, Children’s events and of course CORN! Contact: (503) 357-3006 or go to www.fgcchamber.org.
WHEN: Saturday, September 20th from 11 am-4 pm
WHERE: College Way and 21st Ave Forest Grove, OR, 97116
El Grito - Centro Cultural
Join the virtual broadcast and celebrate together with pride, joy and hope.
WHEN: Monday, September 15, 2025 at 8 pm
WHERE: Social Media (Facebook and YouTube)
 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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BELOW: The Pacific Ocean in Seaside after Tuesday's conference.
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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