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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Oregon is facing a painful and scary point in time, an economic and humanitarian crisis. Oregonians are receiving pink slips at work, businesses are impacted by federal tariffs and that results in higher prices for you as Oregonians. Some of our neighbors are very scared to leave their homes, children are afraid to go to school and even to recreational activities. Profiling people based solely on the color of their skin is 100% wrong, inflicting fear and trauma on humans is cruel. Do not believe the narrative that only hardline criminals are being targeted. ICE is targeting fathers and mothers that are dropping their kids at school, Oregonians that are driving to work, working on our farms and building the homes we live in.
I attended Tuesday night’s Hillsboro City Council meeting to hear from the community as to what they are faced with every day and the answers they seek. The fear, pain, and anger in the room was palpable. Many elected leaders are coming together to seek solutions to this humanitarian crisis. We are exploring all options to help our community. I urge you to watch Tuesday’s Hillsboro City Council Meeting. I think you will find the testimony powerful, especially the young man that spoke in the end, Manny.
Recent reporting has shed light on the economic toll federal immigration enforcement is taking on Latino-owned businesses across the Portland metro area, including many right here in Hillsboro. Stores, bakeries, and restaurants that have long been community anchors are seeing sales drop by 40–50% as fear keeps families at home.
Many have asked: What can I do to help? Here are three ways to take action:
- Shop local. Visit neighborhood stores like Supermercado Mexico and La Imperial Bakery to show support.
- Donate or volunteer. Contribute groceries to local food pantries or community organizations.
- Help your neighbors. Small acts of kindness make a big difference when fear and uncertainty weigh heavily.
Buy Local, Give Local: Standing With Our Community
Last weekend, I joined Representatives Nathan Sosa and Susan McLain at Supermercado Mexico in Hillsboro to shop for groceries, which we then delivered to Centro Cultural’s Food Mercado in Cornelius. Our neighbors are in need and every act of kindness helps. Find out how you can donate or volunteer time at the Food Mercado here.
Other local food banks that may be accepting donations or volunteers:
 Hillsboro Schools Foundation (HSF).
As you know, many HSD families are feeling the impact of rising food insecurity. Our schools are responding quickly, and several are setting up or expanding school-based food pantries to ensure students have access to consistent, reliable food. We are also sharing regional food resources with our community so families know where to go for help.
What our schools need right now:
- Refrigerators (for perishable items)
- Storage shelving (for non-perishable items)
- Sturdy, unmarked boxes (company logo is fine)
- Sling bags or backpacks to send food home with students
How to donate: Donations can be made through the Hillsboro Schools Foundation (HSF). Tax ID/EIN: 91-1779425 Please note “School-based food pantry support” (or name a specific school). HSF can also assist with donation letters or receipts.
Upcoming Events
Community Conversations - Two Upcoming Opportunities to Connect
Join me Tomorrow, Saturday, November 8th, from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at Uptown Coffee in Hillsboro, located at 2020 NE Cornell Rd. Come share your thoughts and talk about issues that are important to you. Meet fellow community members and enjoy delicious coffee and pastries.
** I will be collecting items for IRCO's Donation Drive to support the immigrant and refugee communities. Please see flyer below and consider bringing an item or two to donate.
Later this month, join me on Thursday, November 20th, from 6:30PM to 7:30PM at Bites Restaurant in Forest Grove, located at 2014 Main St. If you would like to purchase dinner and support a local restaurant, come early to order some delicious food, then pull up a chair and join the conversation.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Legislative Updates
November SNAP benefits have been issued in full
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) issued full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to all eligible Oregonians Thursday evening, November 6, 2025. This means all Oregonians who receive SNAP should now see their full November benefits loaded to their Oregon EBT cards.
We know how important these benefits are to families across Oregon and worked quickly with our electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card vendor to make sure benefits would become became available as soon as possible.
Before shopping, people should check their EBT card balance to make sure their benefits have been issued as expected. There are several ways to do this:
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Call customer service toll-free at 888-997-4447.
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Check online by logging in to your EBT account.
- If you have the ebtEDGE mobile app, you can check your balance there. Only use the official ebtEDGE website and mobile app for Apple or Android. ODHS does not support any other EBT management apps or websites.
If people are expecting a SNAP balance and don’t see one, they should call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075.
Electronic theft of benefits from EBT cards is on the rise nationwide. Take steps to protect your card and benefits.
ODHS will continue to share updates at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/Pages/snap-updates.aspx.
Joint Public Education Appropriation Committee
Legislative Days will be occurring on November 17-19 and the Joint Public Education Appropriation Committee will meet to hear a presentation on the committee's Draft Report on the Adequacy of Public Education Appropriations. This report was drafted by the committee in response to the Quality Education Commission's Quality Education Model 2024 Report. You can read both by following the links below.
In The News
State agencies give notice of transportation tax increases as the bill remains unsigned, KATU News, Vasili Varlamos, November 6, 2025.
Sollman reiterated in her call to Kotek on Thursday to act on the bill as soon as possible.
"Oregonians deserve a transparent and responsive government, where we roll up our sleeves and solve problems," Sollman said. "When an issue is called out as urgent, Oregonians expect an urgent response. Delays undermine public trust. When the process is good, when Oregonians can engage in that process, the results are better for Oregon.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek still hasn’t signed transportation funding bill, as pressure grows, OPB, Dirk VanderHart, November 4, 2025.
A transportation funding bill that was a major priority for Gov. Tina Kotek in August has sat, unsigned, on the governor’s desk for nearly a month.
That’s a problem for enemies of the measure, which will hike gas taxes and other transportation-related fees by more than $4 billion in its first decade. Each day that Kotek withholds her signature is a day that opponents cannot collect signatures to force a public vote on the tax hike a year from now....
Even a couple Democrats are weighing in. State Sens. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, and Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, sent separate letters to Kotek on Oct. 22 urging her to sign the bill.
Out and About for Senate District 15
MeterHome
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to tour a residential battery storage manufacturing plant in Tualatin. As Oregon continues to expand its use of renewable power, one of our biggest challenges is consistency, solar and wind don’t always produce enough energy to meet demand when we need it most. Battery storage is an innovative way to level out those energy needs, strengthen our grid, and save Oregonians money. It’s exciting to see this kind of technology being built right here in our state.
If you’re interested in learning more, visit meterhome.com. And don’t forget, federal tax incentives for home energy storage systems are available through December 31.
Honoring Día de los Muertos
Last weekend, I had the joy of honoring Día de los Muertos at M&M Marketplace and at the Forest Grove High School Mariachi Tradición concert. This beautiful tradition is a time to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on, a moment filled with music, color, and community.
It was wonderful to see families, students, and local businesses come together to share culture and connection. Events like these remind us how vibrant and resilient our communities are, and how important it is to keep showing up for one another.
Community Outreach
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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