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Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
Happy Holidays! As we wrap up a year for the history books, I hope you’re finding a chance to slow down, turn off your phone, connect with loved ones, and recharge. The year’s end is a reminder to reflect on our challenges and accomplishments. It is important that we face the new year with purpose and determination to stand up for our values. Thank you for being part of our community — your support, engagement, and energy make all the difference. Wishing you peace, joy, and a bright start to the new year!
Town Hall Recap
 The mirrors came with the room
You all are so amazing! We seriously have THE BEST community. Over 250 of you showed up to the recent "Oregon Priorities " Town Hall with Attorney General Rayfield, Senator Gelser Blouin, and me. If you weren't able to make it, here's a little recap:
Protecting Oregonians - We've covered much of what AG Rayfield has already accomplished. After clawing back $4.5 billion from the feds, he's litigating for SNAP benefits, disaster relief funds, against the unlawful deployment of Oregon's National Guard and removal of the Coast Guard helicopter from Newport, and so much more. You can check out the litigation tracker to see it all. Truly amazing work from the AG and his staff.
Coffin Butte - A hot topic at the town hall, which wasn't at all shocking, considering DEQ just blasted Republic Services in a 12-page pre-enforcement letter. The state affirmed community concerns about the landfill. AG Rayfield has been briefed on the letter, and lives in the area. He commented that the investigative process at DEQ needs to play out before we know more about enforcement actions.
ICE - There were a lot of questions about what the AG can and is doing to protect Oregonians from their own president. The DOJ is using its tools and partnerships with other states. We can act too to protect ourselves and others.
DOJ Immigration Resources:
English: Immigration Services and Support Resources - Oregon Department of Justice
Spanish: Servicios de inmigración y recursos de apoyo - Oregon Department of Justice
Arabic: Immigration Services and Support Resources - Arabic - Oregon Department of Justice
Know your rights in Spanish and English: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Make a family preparedness plan (Spanish and English): Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan / Plan de Preparación Familiar: (Guía Completa)
Virtual Migrawatch training Dec. 4: bit.ly/MWDecember4
SNAP and federal jobs vs. medical insurance costs –
Yes, this was the unethical battle we were facing when we met for the townhall. Many who attended the townhall were worried about SNAP benefits and federal jobs. Luckily, the federal government reopened, restoring government programs the President had chosen to allow to lapse and returning federal workers to their jobs with backpay. Unfortunately, a deal was not made to continue subsidies for medical insurance through the ACA. These subsidies aim to make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans, especially those with lower or moderate incomes. This is just one of the challenges we will face as costs to Oregonians are increased and Medicaid and SNAP are cut and we are facing reduced revenue as we face economic uncertainty caused by tariffs and erratic decision making by the President and his administration.
A few Angry Women and the Legislator and Community who Backed them
Representative Gomberg's Chief of Staff
BREAKING: A federal judge blocked the closure of the Newport Coast Guard Air Facility on Monday night. Judge Ann Aiken found Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem violated the law and issued a temporary restraining order in response to the lawsuit filed by the Newport Fishermen’s Wives and Lincoln County. Add the Fishermen’s Wives to our long list of sheroes fighting for their community.
What happened: Just in time for freezing weather and crab season, the Coast Guard rescue helicopter was removed from Newport and ICE was caught red-handed trying to build a detention center in Newport, Oregon. Representative David Gomberg, no doubt wanting his own place on our team of D.C Heroes, uncovered the plot. Check him out on Rachel Maddow talking about how he and the community are fighting back.
Lincoln County also turned out to fight the DC villains. At the first city council meeting after the information was released, over 800 community members flooded the chamber demanding action.
Short Session 2026
 Go Tottenham!
There are two emerging realities coming into view after 300 days of the current administration and the Big Ugly Bill - the state will not have enough money to meet the needs of the community, and we are going to have to innovate and be creative to do more with less. We're going to have to make tough choices about where we put our resources, identify systems that aren't working, and be open-minded to change.
Each legislator can bring 2 bills to the 2026 short legislative session. What I’m working on:
Balcony Solar - This concept is mirrored after the bi-partisan legislation that unanimously passed out of Utah earlier this year. Widely adopted in Germany and other parts of Europe, these systems can be as simple as a solar panel being plugged into an outlet, or a more complex system with a battery. Designed to plug in to a GFCI or 220W outlet, these panels can offset growing electrical costs and reduce greenhouse emissions.
While the concept prepares regulatory framework necessary to adopt the technology at the state level, both the national electric code needs to be changed and the technology needs certification by Underwriters Laboratories. For a better understanding of how this technology could work, and the barriers we still have to overcome, check out this Wired article from earlier this year.
Notification when Ice is on Campus - We've all been seeing the news of schools closing because of ICE activity on or adjacent to school property. What started a few months ago as "ICE doesn't target schools" is now known to be complete BS:
Woodburn School District reinforces student protections after alleged local ICE activity | Woodburn Independent
ICE agents outside Oregon middle school asked to leave by school staff | kgw.com
Families, staff return to school across Oregon, some under fear of ICE arrests
As a reminder, we have a moral and legal obligation to teach any child that shows up to school. Using that obligation, and children, to target members of our community is unconscionable. That's why my second bill for 2026 will require schools (K-12 and higher ed) to notify parents, students, and faculty if ICE is present on school property. This would apply to sports fields, parking lots, and every inch of school grounds.
We need our kids in school, and ICE to GTFO - it's that simple.
Upcoming Events
SO MUCH Holiday merriment! You can always find community events listed here: Corvallis Event Calendar: Festivals, Markets, Music & More
A few highlights:
Corvallis Holiday Parade 2025 – The Downtown Corvallis Organization is bringing back the parade! Come enjoy the sparkle of downtown Corvallis with your friends and family on Dec. 6 at 6pm on 1st Street. Corvallis Holiday Parade
Rotary Children’s Holiday Craft Fair- This was my FAVORITE FREE holiday outing when my kids were little. Sadly, my family has outgrown it. But if you’ve got kiddos 4-9 years old, you can register for a spot for holiday craft making, cookies and hot chocolate, and pictures with Santa on Dec. 13, 9am -1pm. Rotary presents the 2025 Childrens Holiday Craft Fair Tickets
Whiteside Movie Night - Watch classic movies at the historic Whiteside Theater! Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Visit www.WhitesideTheatre.org to see what's playing and buy tickets. I'll put in a plug for A Christmas Story (Dec. 7 and 10).
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
Connect with us on Facebook / Instagram
website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mcdonald
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