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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Join me on Friday, January 30th, at 6:30PM, at Pacific University's McCready Hall, for a Joint Town Hall with Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Representatives Susan McLain and Nathan Sosa. Bring your questions and share your thoughts. I hope to see you there!
Legislative Updates
January Interim Legislative Days
November Interim Legislative Days are next week, Monday, November 17th - Wednesday, November 19th. Committees and task forces will convene and hear about current issues, upcoming bill concepts and possible budget reductions for agencies. The Senate Floor will also convene for confirmation of Executive Appointments by the Governor to State Boards and Commissions.
The Legislative Day agendas for the committees I serve on are linked and listed below:
If you are planning a visit to Salem, there are metered and electric vehicle charging spots near the Capitol. The historic part of the Capitol is still under construction and remains closed, but the Senate and House wings are open. Stop by my office (S-207) to say "Hello" if you are at the Capitol. Visitors may enter through the ADA accessible doors on State Street, the south side of the building. To ensure the safety of the public, employees, tenants and Legislators in the Capitol, all visitors will encounter a security checkpoint with a walk-through metal detector upon entry. Please see the Building Use Policy, Rule #15 for prohibited items.
Not able to make the trip? You can still watch the meetings from home on OLIS, the Oregon Legislative Information System. Please find links provided by OLIS below for further information.
Legislative Days Details:
Oregon JOBS Act
This session, I will be introducing LC 237, the Oregon JOBS Act. This bill will support Oregon workers and families by strengthening the state’s ability to create and retain high-wage jobs. Our aim is to maintain and accelerate the growth of advanced manufacturing jobs - such as semiconductors, biotech, and clean tech - in Oregon, and increase Oregon’s income tax base.
We know that the only way to keep our state budget thriving is to have a thriving economy with living and high-wage jobs, which is something these industries provide. As a state that relies heavily on income tax for its general fund, without people living and working in Oregon, we will only fall further behind. Oregon has the highest unemployment rate in the nation right now. Once those jobs leave the state it is even harder to get them back. The Oregon JOBS Act is a way to keep Oregon competitive and keep us moving forward with these industry leaders.
Please see below for further information.
Listen. Learn. Act.
Washington County Legislative Summit
Wednesday evening, my team and I participated in the Northwest Regional ESD Legislative Summit. We talked about funding priorities and learned about the difficulties school districts face when looking at cuts. We shared ideas for how we can be better partners in legislative policy areas and keep our lines of communication open. The large turnout from legislators and education partners across Washington County showed how committed we are in this work to achieve the best outcomes for students.
Out and About in Senate District 15
State of Washington County Business
Yesterday, I joined a panel at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce: State of Washington County Business. We had a good discussion talking about economic development, workforce, housing and how these things are all interconnected. I shared about the Oregon JOBS Act and how we need to keep our businesses and economy growing and thriving in order to ensure a prosperous future.
Storytime with Hillsboro Online Academy
Earlier this morning, I had the joyful opportunity to read two stories to K-2 students in Ms. Maher's class at Hillsboro Online Academy. It was a great and positive way to start my day, seeing the smiles and chatting with students.
Intern Corner
January is a fresh start for most people. This time serves to leave behind the bad habits and start the healthier new ones. Every January we repeat the same ritual, the “new year, new me” cliche where we set resolutions for ourselves in hopes of a better lifestyle. Now, many times these resolutions don’t hold on for the entirety of the following year--even for myself--and here are the two main reasons that I have seen why:
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It is not you, it is our failed systems
- Outcome-based goals are easier to quit
I have heard hundreds of resolutions, and one of the most common ones that tend to not stick is the “eat healthier” resolution. In America, eating healthy organic foods requires handfuls of more money than going to your local fast food restaurant. Families that are able to spend money on healthy foods everyday are a minority in America. It is our systems that prevent many low or middle class families from eating healthy consistent meals on a daily basis. It is not you, it is our failed systems.
I have also heard many resolutions that sound like this: “be more productive” or “get better grades”. The problem with outcome based resolutions is that there's no schedule in telling you how to achieve this goal. None of these resolutions will tell you what to do on a random Tuesday in March to obtain better grades or to be more productive. There is no guidance and the outcome can feel too overwhelming and far away to achieve. In the end, a goal that doesn't tell you what to do each day, will eventually become ignored.
New Year's resolutions have the potential to re-shape our lives, but it is important to set ourselves up in a way to do so. I hope the start of 2026 brings happiness and positive change, Happy New Year!
~Amara D.
Community Outreach
FRAUD ALERT From PGE
Shared from Portland General Electric
🚨 We have reports that individuals may be posing as PGE employees using high-pressure tactics.
✅ Always ask to see an employee badge
📞 Call PGE (503-228-6322) to verify
https://portlandgeneral.com/help/help-topics/fraud-alert
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ALERTA DE FRAUDE
🚨 Hemos recibido reportes de personas que podrían hacerse pasar por empleados de PGE y usar tácticas de presión.
✅ Siempre pida ver la credencial del visitante
📞 Llame a PGE al 503-228-6322 para verificar
https://portlandgeneral.com/en-espanol/alerta-de-fraude
QPR Suicide Prevention Training - February 11th
You are invited to the next “QPR Suicide Prevention” training in Hillsboro. Just like CPR, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. This suicide prevention training is free and available to anyone in our community. Join us on Wednesday February 11 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The training will take place at one of the Hillsboro libraries, depending on how many people sign up. To register or learn more, email ccosenzo@justcreatecommunity.com. This opportunity is offered by Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services and Just Create Community.
Small business grant! - ¡Subvenciones para pequeñas empresas!
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Immigration Resources
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Federal immigration officials have been terrorizing our communities for months and their violent escalation this week, first in Minneapolis and now here, it must end. Like so many of you, I'm afraid for neighbors, angry and feel powerless in this federal fight. It was good to stand with community last night in peace, at a vigil honoring Renee Good at the Forest Grove United Church of Christ.
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
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 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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