Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
It has been another full week of meetings and preparations for the 2026 Session. We are gearing up for a 35 day whirlwind to address some of our state's biggest challenges. Federal actions and lower-than-anticipated state revenue are deeply impacting all aspects of our community. We are prepared to make the most of this Session to advance solutions.
I am looking forward to discussing some of these challenges and opportunities in our region next week. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield will join Sen. Sollman, Rep. Sosa, and me for an Oregon Priorities Town Hall in Forest Grove next Friday, January 30th. Please keep reading to learn about how you can participate.
In this newsletter, you'll find:
- Details on next week's joint town hall
- Updates on my policy priorities in 2026
- News on transportation and data centers
- A major development for the I-5 Bridge Replacement Program
- Student opportunities for civic engagement
- Upcoming events in Washington County
 
❗Joint Town Hall Next Friday - Register to Attend❗
I will be joined by Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Senator Janeen Sollman, and Representative Nathan Sosa for an Oregon Priorities Town Hall in Forest Grove on Friday, January 30 at 6:30pm. We will be at Pacific University's Taylor-Meade Performing Arts Center. As we work to keep communities safe, protect consumers, seniors, and working families, and defend Oregonians' values, we want to hear what’s most important to you and your families.
This event is part of a statewide Oregon Priorities Town Hall series with AG Rayfield focused on hearing directly from Oregonians to shape legal strategies that protect the state’s interests. We hope to see you there!
To submit questions and confirm your attendance, please click the button below to register:
Parking and Arrival Information:
Parking is free. The closest parking lot to the venue is Lot C, which is on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street. The entrance to the parking lot is on Cedar Street. You can find a campus map here.
News on the Future of Transportation Funding
This week, legislative leadership announced that they will introduce a bill to set the date of the referendum on House Bill 3991 for the May statewide primary election.
As many of you know, Governor Tina Kotek called for a new approach to our transportation funding crisis earlier this month. Voters have been clear that they want to weigh in on this issue, and setting the referral for the May primary will give Oregonians the opportunity to make a decision this Spring. Knowing the results of the referendum sooner rather than later will provide needed clarity and allow us to move forward on a solution. Legislative Counsel has determined that the Legislature has the constitutional authority to set referral dates.
My commitment to finding a path forward with bipartisan collaboration has not changed. I'll keep working with colleagues in the House, Senate, and Governor's Office to preserve essential transportation maintenance and operations work. Rebalancing the budget with short-term and long-term funding tools is no easy task, but I am up for the challenge. I look forward to landing on a sustainable fix to our funding uncertainty.
2026 Legislative Session Starts February 2nd
The 2026 Legislative Session is less than two weeks away! In our 35-day short session, I am focused on advancing policies that improve life for Oregonians and push back on any attempts to take us backward.
Dangerous federal immigration enforcement, rising costs, and transportation funding uncertainty are major challenges facing our communities. We need a statewide, coordinated approach to protect Oregonians from federal overreach, make life affordable for working families, and keep our roads and bridges safe. I have been working on these issues to prepare for action this session, and I am eager to rejoin my colleagues in Salem to advance solutions.
 |
This Session, I'll be serving as Chair of the House Transportation Committee, where my top priority is improving safety for all users. We'll be working to modernize our policies to meet 21st century needs and address our funding crisis to ensure we can maintain our infrastructure. I am also serving on the Joint Transportation Oversight Committee, the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, and the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. As we face difficult budget decisions and rollbacks of federal commitments, I am focused on preserving priority services for our students and families and protecting our natural environment.
Governor Announces Data Center Advisory Committee
Governor Kotek announced her plan to convene an advisory committee to examine the challenges and opportunities related to data centers. I've heard from our community on this issue and potential impacts on land and energy in Washington County.
Here is what the Governor's Office shared about the committee:
"The advisory committee will conduct an open and public process to understand challenges and opportunities in key policy areas related to the siting of data centers in our state, and then recommend actions that the State of Oregon can take to:
- Encourage data center siting decisions that support responsible economic development, create jobs, and increase long-term revenue that will strengthen our rural communities;
- Understand how the development of data centers affects and can help Oregon meet its climate, clean energy, and natural resource management goals;
- Ensure data centers have reliable energy without burdening Oregon’s ratepayers;
- Protect Oregon’s limited water resources in the face of growing demand from data centers while recognizing available clean water is imperative to both existing economic sectors such as agriculture and the growth of new and more diversified local economies; and,
- Identify key issue areas needing to be addressed in order to develop a policy framework that will help guide the state in the responsible siting of data centers moving forward."
I am glad to see the Governor coordinate a statewide approach to protecting our communities while making progress on economic development. Read the full announcement here.
Major Progress Update for the I-5 Replacement Bridge
Last Friday, we received big news. The U.S. Coast Guard notified the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program that it will allow a fixed-span replacement bridge to be built across the Columbia River. This is a great update, as it means Oregon and Washington can move forward with a less expensive bridge design.
You can read more on this news from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program here:
"A fixed-span bridge at 116 feet vertical navigation clearance was identified as the best option to replace the aging Interstate Bridge between Vancouver and Portland. Receiving the U.S. Coast Guard's decision is a major milestone along the path to a modern, multimodal fixed-span bridge that eliminates bridge lifts and improves safety and earthquake resilience.
"A fixed span bridge has overwhelming support from the maritime industry, businesses and community groups,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said. “This is the right decision for our economy, and for commuters who use this bridge every day. I appreciated meeting with Coast Guard leadership to present our case in person. I look forward to continuing our progress to replace this 108-year-old bridge.”
The IBR Program’s proposal to build a fixed-span bridge at 116 feet clearance will eliminate bridge lifts and allow roadway commerce, vehicles, air traffic and transit to operate unimpeded while also continuing to reliably serve more than 99% of river traffic.
Next steps
This decision will allow the IBR Program to finalize and share an updated cost estimate and schedule. The IBR Program will continue to collaborate with our federal partners to complete and publish the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, a key step toward securing an amended Record of Decision and moving to construction.
“The IBR Program now has the clarity it needs to advance and position us to build a safer, multimodal river crossing and corridor that will serve both states for generations,” Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said.
The decision also allows the IBR Program to begin the process of selecting a final design for the replacement bridge and identify a construction contractor."
Forest Grove's Andwele Bridges Breaks Program Record
Forest Grove’s Andwele Bridges made history on Tuesday night, Jan. 20, becoming Forest Grove High School boys basketball’s all-time leading scorer in a 74–32 win over Glencoe.
The senior guard surpassed the previous record of 1,373 points, set by Taylor Jensen, who graduated in 2016.
Bridges was quick to emphasize the role his teammates played in the achievement. “Being the leading scorer on the team, they definitely look for me a lot and have a lot of trust in me,” Bridges said. “I owe it to them.”
Congratulations to Andwele and the Forest Grove High School basketball team on this outstanding accomplishment!
Applications Open for Civic Engagement Opportunities
There are a few exciting opportunities for students to get involved in government and civic engagement. I encourage students from our community to check out the applications below:
 Oregon Civics Bee
The Oregon Civics Bee is returning in 2026 for a third year. Participating 6th, 7th and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. The winner of the Oregon Civics Bee will be invited to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Civics Bee Championship this fall.
Each participating student must submit an essay that identifies a community problem and proposes a solution using founding principles and civic virtues. The submission deadline is Feb. 3, 2026. A panel of judges will select finalists to participate in regional bees. The top performers in regional bees will be invited to participate in the Oregon Civics Bee, which will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in the House Chamber of the Oregon Capitol in Salem. Secretary of State Tobias Read will emcee the competition.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Oregon House Honorary Page Program
The 2026 House Honorary Page Program application is now open for scheduling! This program is a unique opportunity for young minds to engage directly with the legislative process and gain invaluable experience at the Oregon State Capitol.
The Honorary Page Program is a one-day learning opportunity in Salem from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Transportation and lunch is not provided. The program is open to students aged 13-17 and runs Monday – Thursday from February 9 – February 26.
Interested students may fill out an application here.
For any questions, please email Civics.Education@oregonlegislature.gov or call the Chief Clerk’s Office at 503-986-1870.
Hillsboro - Coffee with a Cop
 WHEN: Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 from 8:30 - 10:00 AM
WHERE: Starbucks - 7415 NE Imbrie Drive Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
You’re invited to an open community conversation about public safety with representatives from Hillsboro Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. This is an informal space to share perspectives, concerns, and questions.
Forest Grove - Free ESL Class (Beginning level)
| Clase de inglés gratis (Nivel principiante)
WHEN: Friday, January 23, 2026 from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
WHERE: Forest Grove Library, 2114 Pacific Avenue, Forest Grove, OR 97116
Goodwill Industries is offering free English classes at the Forest Grove Library. Fridays from 2:00-3:30pm in the Rogers Room. Registration is not required. Students at the beginning level are welcome!
Goodwill ofrece clases de inglés gratis a la biblioteca de Forest Grove. Todos los viernes, 2:00-3:30pm en la sala Rogers. No es necesario registrarse. Estudiantes de nivel principiante son bienvenidos!
Cornelius - Teen's STEM Day
WHEN: Friday, January 30, 2026 9:00 AM thru 02:30 PM
WHERE: Cornelius Public Library
Join the library and iUrban Teen for an exciting STEM Day—a day filled with innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning! Don’t miss your chance to win a cool prize!
This event is for teens aged 13 to 17 and is free. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.
Click here to register.
For More Info: Angelica Novoa de Cordeiro - 503 357-4093 angelica.novoadecordeiro@corneliusor.gov
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!
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
 |
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
| 
