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To contact me, please click here: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
I recently returned from a legislative trip to China, and I would like to share a bit of information with you about that trip. I joined several other Democratic and Republican current and former legislators, as well as members of the Oregon-China Council, for a two-week trade mission. We visited our Sister State, the Province of Fujian, and met with members of the Chinese People's Friendship Association in several cities and provinces. We also met with representatives at Wuyishan National Park, which is a sister national park to Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park. A highlight of the trip was attending the two-day Sister Cities Conference in Hangzhou, with attendees from around the US joining representatives from their sister cities there.
While the entire population of Oregon is small compared to the population of each of the cities we visited, the importance of our relationship with China cannot be underestimated, as we are one of only a few U.S. states that maintains a trade surplus with China. Given our geographic location on the Pacific Rim, it is crucial that we maintain good relations with all our trading partners on the other side of the Atlantic. I was glad to see that President Trump and China’s leader, Xi Jinping, met last week to discuss trade and made progress on agricultural products and tariffs. We cannot afford to lose access to this major market, nor can we afford to not maintain relations with other leading nations.
 Photo: Oregon delegation and representatives from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
On another note, I was pleased to see $5 million earmarked by Governor Kotek to help support the work of food pantries across Oregon, given the delays in, and changes to, access to SNAP benefits, which affect one out of every 8 Oregonians. I have donated my excess per diem payments from the Special Session to support the Marion-Polk Food Share here in the Salem area, and the Ella Curran Food Bank, which serves Polk County residents.
While federal courts have ruled that some funding to SNAP must continue, there are some permanent changes that took effect on November 1st. These changes include requiring recipients to document each month that they meet eligibility requirements, otherwise they will be limited to three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period. Under H.R. 1 (the Big Beautiful Bill), refugees, asylum-seekers and other lawful immigrants are now cut out of SNAP benefits entirely. The bill has also added work requirements to previously exempted groups, including homeless people, veterans, and young people who were in foster care when they turned 18. The bill also expanded work requirements also apply to adults aged 55 to 64, a group which is more likely to experience age discrimination when seeking employment. In addition, costs for this program shift significantly to states, with the median cost increase for states of more than 200%, according to a report by the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality.
These impacts to SNAP don't just affect SNAP recipients--they affect the economy, too. When families have fewer dollars to purchase food, it will affect grocery stores, especially in rural areas where the stores have a very slim profit margin. According to the USDA, every $1.00 spent through SNAP generates at least $1.50 in economic activity, as SNAP spending directly boosts grocery stores, their suppliers, and the transportation and farming sectors. Additionally, when low-income households have help accessing food, they’re more likely to spend money on other needs, such as prescriptions or car repairs.
My office is meeting with local leaders and food bank representatives about how we can support our community in this very difficult time. Oregonians have always come together to take care of one another, and I will continue to fight hunger here in Oregon.
Sincerely yours,
Deb Patterson
Food Resources During Federal Shutdown
This is a very difficult time for the 1 in 6 Oregonians who participate in SNAP. If you or someone you know needs help accessing food, Marion-Polk Food Share offers resources to find support. Visit this link to find community food sites and assistance near you: https://marionpolkfoodshare.org/find-food
If you want to support local efforts, you can help too:
(1) checking in on your neighbors, and
(2) making a donation to your local food bank or to the Marion-Polk
Food Share.
Volunteer Opportunity
You can help save lives this winter by signing up to volunteer at a local warming shelter. The ARCHES Project operates warming shelters keep people safe when temperatures fall below freezing. You can learn more or sign up to volunteer at bit.ly/archesvolunteer.
Salem Public Library to Expand Hours on November 10
Following community support for the May 2025 Salem Livability Levy, the City of Salem is expanding hours the Salem Public Library is open. Beginning November 10, both the Main Library and the West Salem Branch will be open longer to give the community more access to programs, services, and meeting spaces.
When is the Main Library open?
Beginning November 10, the Main Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, will add evening hours Tuesday through Thursday. The Library will also be open on Sunday. New hours will be:
- 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
When is the West Salem Branch open?
Beginning November 10, the West Salem Branch, 395 Glen Creek Rd. NW, will include an additional day and longer hours of service. New hours will be:
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday
- 12 p.m. -7 p.m. Wednesday
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday
Join an open house to celebrate!
Open house celebrations are planned at each library location. The community is invited for treats from:
- 10 a.m. to noon Monday, November 10 at the West Salem Branch
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, November 16 at the Main Library
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson
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