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To contact me, please click here: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
In my conversations with our community this week, one thing was clear: we are facing real challenges in Western Washington County, but we are standing together. Many of our neighbors are feeling uncertain and afraid. I heard these concerns and fears at the recent Hillsboro City Council and Forest Grove City Council meetings. Federal actions are deeply impacting families throughout our region, but we are finding ways to support one another. Our educators, business leaders, faith communities, local organizations, and elected officials are showing up and responding to the needs of our community. I am committed to strengthening protections for all community members and working with partners on local, state, and national levels as we navigate the path forward.
In this newsletter, you'll find:
- Community updates on immigration responses
- News on November Legislative Days and electric vehicle workgroup updates
- My visit and discussion with Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts
- Celebrating the Grand Opening of Hillsboro's Year-Round Shelter
- Upcoming events and opportunities to engage in Washington County
Many events this week to honor our veterans! My father, father-in-law and husband, Cliff, served.
 
Forest Grove Declares a State of Emergency in Response to Federal Immigration Actions
In response to the deep impacts of ICE activity in our community, city leadership has taken action to mobilize resources for Forest Grove. Many community members feel unsafe leaving their homes, visiting the doctor, going to work and school, or picking up groceries, and these impacts are harmful to our community.
The city council was unanimous in approving a state of emergency declaration and authorizing up to $50,000 in funding to support community-based organizations.
I am grateful for our local leaders and partners who are working to respond swiftly and provide resources for our community in this difficult time.
Hillsboro Mobilizes $200,000 to Support Organizations Serving Immigrant & Vulnerable Community Members
The application period is now open for local Community-Based Organizations to request funding that supports immigrant and other vulnerable community members impacted by recent ICE-related activity and broader community stressors.
The City Council authorized $200,000 in funding be made available for impacted community members during the November 4 City Council meeting.
Application details:
Share Your Experiences with Federal Action in Oregon
Attorney General Dan Rayfield continues to hold the federal government accountable for the illegal and unconstitutional actions by President Trump and the federal administration. AG Rayfield is partnering with the Office of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden to track and better understand how federal actions are impacting Oregonians.
Click above to share your experience. Your information will not be shared with anyone outside of these two offices without your consent. The Attorney General's office will continue to ensure the federal government operates within its legal bounds, while protecting the integrity of our state agencies and safeguarding the rights and interests of all Oregonians against executive overreach.
Next Week - November Legislative Days
Next week, my colleagues and I will be in Salem for November Legislative Days. Here is a quick look at my committee hearings during that week:
- House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water: Monday the 17th from 2:30-5:00 pm
- Joint Transportation Oversight Committee: Tuesday the 18th from 5:30-8:00 pm
- Joint Ways and Means Education Subcommittee: Tuesday the 18th from 8:00-11:00 am
- Joint Public Education Appropriations Committee: Wednesday the 19th from 9:00-12:00 pm
- House Committee on Transportation: Wednesday the 19th from 2:30-5:00 pm
Meetings are open to the public. If you are interested in tuning in remotely, check out the Oregon Legislative Information Service website to watch a livestream or view a recording.
Updates from My Workgroup on "All Things Electric Vehicles"
I have continued to lead meetings for a workgroup on "All Things Electric Vehicles (EVs)." This week, we heard from a number of presenters with expertise in transportation, infrastructure, and energy policy. Industry leaders from Kittleson and Associates shared about the landscape of charging and payment methods for public EV charging stations and opened a discussion on simplifying these processes. We heard from the Oregon Department of Energy on the recently published Zero Emissions Vehciles Report and Oregon Energy Strategy, and ODOT also presented on a comparison of transportation revenue systems in Colorado and Minnesota. We will continue our discussions on opportunities to refine Oregon's electric vehicle-related policies in the coming weeks.
If you are curious to learn more, a website for our workgroup is now live. Click here to view meeting materials and summaries.
Forest Grove & Hillsboro School District -
Accountability and Advocacy Visit
Last Wednesday, I joined fellow legislators and education leaders for a tour of four Hillsboro and Forest Grove schools. Our goal was to explore shared approaches to accountability across districts, focusing on bilingual literacy, CTE, and graduation outcomes.
We began with an overview from district leaders, who shared about the current landscape of our schools and provided data on outcomes. Our tour highlighted a few priorities: multilingual education, career-connected learning, and strong Career and Technical Education (CTE). At McKinney Elementary in Hillsboro, we observed Spanish literacy instruction and literacy blocks that are helping bilingual students build a strong academic foundation. At Glencoe High School, students showcased their Health Sciences and Construction Trades opportunities, which connect classroom learning to future career paths.
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In Forest Grove, our visit to Cornelius Elementary highlighted the power of dual-language programs and the importance of reliable multilingual assessments. During lunch at Forest Grove High School, had a policy discussion with superintendents from across the region over a fantastic meal prepared by culinary students. In our discussion, we heard about the importance of collaboration, stability, and adequate funding to help our schools succeed.
Thank you to all of the school administrations, school board members, educators, and staff who made this informative visit possible. I look forward to continued partnership to meet our shared goals and help students and families thrive.
Adelante Mujeres Convenes Community Leaders for Discussion on Solidarity with Immigrant Communities
On Thursday, my Chief of Staff attended a round-table discussion on how organizations, agencies, and government partners at every level are responding to the impacts of ICE action in Washington County. This conversation was an opportunity to listen to the needs and priorities of immigrant community members, while strengthen connections among partners to support the most vulnerable members of our community. Thank you to Adelante Mujeres and all who joined this important conversation to build communication and collaboration across the region.
Hillsboro Opens Year-Round Shelter to Provide Housing Support
Today, I was excited to attend the grand opening of Hillsboro's new year-round and pet-friendly shelter. This facility will provide adults experiencing homelessness with life-saving shelter, support services, and access to longer-term housing support.
Federal, state, Metro, county, city and non-profit partners all came together to pull off this project! Rep. Sosa, Sen. Sollman, and I were all glad to join this uplifting event.
The City of Hillsboro and Washington County are working together to open the 75-bed facility to meet the community’s critical need for safe sleeping options. Once open, the shelter will be operated by Project Homeless Connect Washington County (PHC).
The shelter project is made possible thanks to use of the property owned by the City of Hillsboro, $7.8 million in state and federal funding, and $8.3 million from the voter-approved Metro Supportive Housing Services Measure. Ongoing operations will also be funded by the Washington County allocation of the Supportive Housing Services measure.
ABOVE: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and US Senator Jeff Merkley
Community members are invited to attend the Cornelius City Council meeting on Monday, November 17, at 6 pm to listen to the Council’s discussion regarding community needs in light of federal immigration enforcement.
The regular City Council session will begin at 6:00 p.m., immediately followed by the work session discussion. Both sessions will be held in person and can also be accessed virtually via Zoom.
Public Comment: Public comment will take place at the beginning of the regular City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
In Person: Register to speak by filling out a yellow card on the table in the back of the room and giving it to the City Recorder.
Virtually: Register to speak by contacting the City Recorder before 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting via email: CityRecorder@CorneliusOr.gov or phone: 503-357-9112.
The Hillsboro City Council will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, November 18th.
At 6:00 p.m., there will be a work session that covers community impacts related to ICE activity and response work. Work Sessions are open to the public to observe the presentation and discussion.
At 7:00 p.m., the City Council Regular Session will begin.
To attend, join in person the 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. Click here for more information.
Cornelius Community Dinner
The City of Cornelius, Cornelius Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office will be hosting their annual Community Dinner on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025. The event will provide a traditional turkey dinner for community members. This meal is available at no cost and is expected to feed 400 to 500 people. All are welcome to attend and enjoy a holiday dinner.
WHEN: Saturday, November 22nd from 4-7 PM
WHERE: OLD Cornelius Elementary School (200 N 14th Ave., Cornelius, OR 97113)
Hillsboro Holly Days Celebration
Come together with community members to enjoy a festive evening in Hillsboro. This even will feature:
- Handmade artisan market
- Carolers, live music, and entertainment for all ages on the Cultural Arts District Stage
- Downtown shops open with in-store activities and promotions
- Kid Village on 2nd Avenue – crafts, games, and Christmas treats
- Food vendors and festive treats throughout the event
WHEN: Saturday, November 22nd from 2-7 pm
WHERE: Historic Downtown Hillsboro
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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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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