Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
What a year it has been! As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together and share what’s ahead.
This year brought its share of challenges, but it was also filled with meaningful policy wins, powerful advocacy, and community collaboration. Thank you for your continued support, your engagement, and your unwavering resilience. While there is still so much more to do, I’m excited about the path forward and the opportunities the coming year holds.
In this newsletter, you will find:
- Updates on laws that will take effect on January 1st
- Wins for renters, consumers, and Washington County in the 2025 Session
- Important news on replacement benefits for Washington County SNAP recipients
- 2025 events and community outreach highlights
- Upcoming community events in Washington County
  
❗New Laws Take Effect January 1st❗
Starting January 1, new Oregon laws will crack down on hidden fees, protect renters and workers, expand health care access, and strengthen personal safety. While chaos reigns nationally, Oregon Democrats are focused on delivering real relief for families here at home.
Here are a few of the laws that will support consumers, tenants, health care patients, and workers beginning in 2026:
If you would like to read more about these bills and other changes taking effect this year, a comprehensive list of legislation passed in 2025 is available at bit.ly/2025-wins.
Reflecting on the 2025 Session
As year comes to a close, I am looking back on our accomplishments during the 2025 Regular Session. Several of my personal priority bills were signed by the Governor and take effect in 2026. I am proud of the work we did to protect Oregonians from digital harassment and abuse, keep renters in their homes, and ensure our Washington County judicial system has sufficient resources to operate. We supported students by protecting their access to diverse stories and honored community members who made a positive impact on Cornelius and Forest Grove. Below are highlights of the bills I co-Chief Sponsored in 2025:
Washington County SNAP Food Replacement Deadline Extended Due to Winter Storms
If you live in Washington County and lost food bought with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits because of recent storms and power outages, you now have more time to ask for replacement benefits.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has extended the deadline to 30 days for people whose food was lost or spoiled due to power outages Dec. 17, 2025.
Households have until Jan. 16, 2026, to report food losses and request replacement SNAP benefits.
How to request SNAP replacement benefits:
If your food was lost because of the storms or power outages, you can request replacement benefits in any of these ways:
- Calling 800-699-9075, relay calls welcome
- Filling out a request form and emailing it to oregon.benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
- Visiting a local ODHS office
- By mail:ONE Customer Service CenterPO Box 14015Salem, OR 97309(Mail must arrive by the deadline.)
- Online: Log in to your ONE Online account
Once approved, replacement benefits are added to the household’s existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The maximum replacement amount is the cost of the food lost, not to exceed the household's normal monthly SNAP benefit.
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find a food pantry: Visit oregonfoodbank.org
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Call 1-855-673-2372 or visit adrcoforegon.org.
- Find more resources near you: Dial 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211info.org
Looking Back on Highlights of 2025
It was great to see my former Chief of Staff, Nicole, at the Washington County Housing Forum this year. Congrats to Nicole on her new role as Legislative Director for the League of Oregon Cities!
Hillsboro Year-Round Shelter Serves Our Community
A highlight of my year was attending the grand opening of Hillsboro's new year-round and pet-friendly shelter. This facility now provides 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 able to take part in this uplifting event.
The City of Hillsboro and Washington County worked together to open the 75-bed facility to meet the community’s critical need for safe sleeping options. The shelter is now open and operated by Project Homeless Connect Washington County (PHC).
The shelter project was 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.
Centro Mercado Opens Doors to Feed Our Neighbors
Another bright spot in 2025 was Centro Mercado's Grand Opening Ceremony in Cornelius. I was able to join Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Executive Director Maria Caballero Rubio in celebrating this amazing new resource for our community.
In 2021, legislators were granted funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for local community improvement projects, and Former Senator Chuck Riley and I both selected Centro Cultural’s Mercado project to receive part of our ARPA funds, with my contribution totaling $660,000. It was special to see the results of this funding in action.
Centro used the funds to purchase a building in Downtown Cornelius to expand their food pantry program to a new and dedicated location. The new Centro Mercado is at 1216 Baseline Street, a block away from Centro Cultural. It now houses a grocery-style food pantry that allows community members to select their food with dignity and respect.
I am grateful to Centro Cultural for decades of service to empower and uplift our community. This space has already become an incredible resource for Western Washington County.
Immigration Action Gatherings
This winter, federal, state, county, and city officials came together to discuss the impacts of federal immigration enforcement in our region and support those who have experienced ICE activity in our area. I appreciated the chance to hear an update from Congresswoman Bonamici on this issue and her office's work to hold federal agencies accountable in Washington D.C.. I am inspired by the resilience of our community amidst extreme challenges. Leaders across Washington County are focused on addressing community safety and upholding due process for all.
Street Trust Alice Awards
It was great to share time with my colleague, Rep. Gamba, at the Street Trust's Alice Awards. We were both honored to be recognized for our work to improve transportation safety for all Oregonians.
 
Western Washington County Welcomes First Asian Grocery Store
This December, SoLe’s Filipino Store opened in Forest Grove as the first Asian grocery market in Western Washington County. The owner, Michelle Ballesteros, noticed that community members were driving 30 minutes or more to purchase foods from the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and across the region. She decided to open a store that would offer these products locally. Michelle was interviewed in the Hillsboro News Times, where she shared her hope to provide community members with a wide variety of international products and her openness to input from customers. Congratulations, Michelle, on a successful opening day!
Read more in the Hillsboro News Times here.
Welcoming ODOT Interim Director Lisa Sumption
I would like to congratulate the Oregon Department of Transportation's Interim Director Lisa Sumption on her new role! The Interstate Bridge Replacement Project team is hard at work to keep the project moving forward, and Director Sumption recently made a visit to the aging Interstate Bridge. Welcome Director Sumption, and thank you to the IBR Project team.
Honoring the Season of Giving
I would like to recognize all those who have donated their time, resources, and skills in support of others this season. Our faith communities, non-profits, and local leaders are working hard to ensure the needs of our neighbors are met. I am proud to be part of a community that gives back and shows up for others in times of need. "Flowers" to all who gave this year!
Enjoy performances, vendors, and activities on this multicultural day of fun. Regular skate times apply.
Performance Schedule:
Food Vendors:
WHEN: Saturday, January 10th from 10 am to 3 pm
WHERE: Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station
Let music carry you along Main Street and through The Avenues in Downtown Hillsboro as you discover an emerging musician, check out new works by a local artist, explore a new restaurant or boutique, or watch an artist demonstration.
Featuring:
- Local galleries and art spaces
- Live music
- Performances
- Food & Drink
- Shopping & more!
Hillsboro Art Walk is a free, all-ages event.
WHEN: January 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm
WHERE: Hillsboro Main Street (click here for more information)
Cornelius - Citizenship Class | Clase de Ciudadanía
Want to prepare for the citizenship test? Come practice with a tutor, one-on-one or in small groups. Drop in any Wednesday from 6-8pm Jan 7 to Mar 18, 2026. ¿Quieres prepararte para el examen de ciudadanía? Ven a practicar con un tutor, de forma individualizada o en pequeños grupos. No necesitas registrarte; acompáñanos los miércoles de 6 a 8pm, del 7 de enero al 18 de marzo de 2026.
WHEN: January 7, 2026 from 6:00- 8:00 pm
WHERE: Cornelius Public Library
Click here for details.
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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