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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Upcoming Events
Community Conversation - Saturday, August 8th at 10:00-11:00am at Fernhill Wetlands
Join me at Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove. We will meet in the covered shelter area. Wetlands staff will join us to share some fun facts and information. Bring your binoculars to spot wildlife, and your family and friends to walk the trail after the conversation ends.
Save the Date: Education Focused Community Conversation - Wednesday, August 26th at 4:00-5:30pm at Hillsboro Brookwood Library
Legislative Updates
Legislative Lookback: SB 664 – Holocaust and Genocide Education
In 2019, we passed SB 664, requiring school districts to provide instruction about the Holocaust and genocide. I was proud to Chief Sponsor this bill, brought forward by Alter Wiener, a constituent, Hillsboro resident, and Holocaust survivor who wanted to ensure his story, and the lessons of history, would keep reaching students for generations to come. That same year, we also passed SCR 21, honoring the life and legacy of Alter Wiener.
Alter spoke to countless students and community members over the years, sharing his story of survival so that, through his lens, others could learn from the past and understand its hateful destruction. His talks inspired students all over the area to rise above hate and work toward a better future. As he wrote in his memoir, "Tolerance is the healing balm for our deeply troubled world."
Alter passed away tragically in an accident in December 2018, but his legacy lives on, through SB 664, through the students he touched, and through his book, From A Name to A Number: A Holocaust Survivor's Autobiography. Wise, gentle, soft-spoken, witty, and so very loved.
I took this video of Alter Wiener that was played at a Hillsboro City Council meeting some time ago. Please watch in remembrance of him.
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Listen. Learn. Act.
Western Energy Caucus Convening in Reno
I'm proud to be part of the Western Energy Caucus, a multi-state group of bipartisan legislators brought together by former Colorado State Senator Chris Hansen to tackle the energy challenges facing our region. Last week, the caucus met in Reno for two and a half days of discussion, site visits, and shared learning.
Highlights included a briefing on wildfire liability, a tour of a NOVVA data center situated within a 107,000-acre industrial park (of which only 30,000 acres are developable), and a visit to the Incline Village/Lake Tahoe area to see recent grid upgrades and substation improvements firsthand.
We also dug into some of the biggest issues shaping energy policy across the West, including large load growth and integration, flexible load strategies, and the growing opportunity around geothermal energy. I was also glad to have the chance to discuss the Power Act with colleagues from other states. It was a productive and collaborative few days.
Out and About for Senate District 15
Kicking Off OSPIRG's Save the Bees & End Food Waste Canvass
Thanks to OSPIRG students for having me out to kick off their canvass for the Save the Bees and End Food Waste campaigns. Various studies show the U.S. wastes upwards of 40% of its food supply every year. That's food wasted (especially troubling for those experiencing food insecurity), money wasted (a real affordability concern), and harm done to the environment. Three strikes, indeed.
These student advocates were fired up and ready to connect with their neighbors to spread the word and create positive change.
Camino al Bienestar Open House and Community Celebration
The future is housing! Congratulations to Bienestar on their property expansion, bringing more affordable homes to the City of Hillsboro. Your team is doing great work.
I had the opportunity to join a special gathering celebrating this milestone, a chance to connect with Bienestar's services teams, explore their new space, and learn more about the programs and services supporting individuals and families across Washington County and beyond.
Community Outreach
Oregon State Fire Marshal Updates
While Senate District 15 may not be directly impacted by the many fires occurring across our state, please stay alert to warnings and share them with anyone traveling or with loved ones in affected areas. Our thoughts remain with the brave men and women on the front lines, including local fire crews assisting in other locations across the state and those staying behind to cover shifts as needed. We send them all love, support and appreciation.
Shared from the Oregon State FIre Marshal
FROM THE FIRE LINE: Across Oregon, firefighters have been challenged by the hot, dry conditions. Today, much of the state is under a Red Flag Warning, with thunderstorms and gusty winds in the forecast.
We can't stress enough right now the importance of wildfire prevention. We have a section on our website dedicated to ways Oregonians can prevent sparking an unintended fire. Check out the resources linked below to be #WildfireAware this summer.
OSFM UPDATES: https://osfminfo.org
ODF UPDATES: https://odffire.com/
SIGN UP FOR ALERTS: www.oralert.gov
FORECAST: www.weather.gov/fire
AIR QUALITY: https://www.oregonsmoke.org/
ROAD CONDITIONS: www.tripcheck.com
Forest Grove Fire and Rescue Updates
Shared from Forest Grove Fire and Rescue
This morning (7/20), our partners at Oregon Department of Forestry changed the Fire Danger Level for parts of Northwest Oregon, to include our area. We are now under 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 fire danger. This means that vegetation in our region is becoming drier and all fire safety steps outdoors should be taken. Such as no debris burning (that's been closed since June 15th), if you're using outdoor power tools do it in the morning or late evening and have a hose ready to use.
If you live within 1/8 mile of ODF land or recreating in it, there are more restrictions in place now. You can see them below in the chart in the yellow section. To find out Public Fire Restrictions for all of Oregon, visit: https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html
Plastic Free July
Take part in Plastic Free July by following these three tips, shared from Ridwell. Tip #2 is a bill we passed in Oregon in 2023, SB 545 which permits restaurants to allow people to bring reusable containers for leftovers!
3 small acts that add up
Choose concentrates
Look for laundry sheets, dishwasher tablets, and other household products designed to minimize packaging.
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Take reusables to restaurants
Bring home your leftovers without
a single-use container.
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Get creative with reuse
Yogurt containers are great for seed starts. Bread bags make great bathroom trash can liners. See what else you can come up with!
Read more tips
 Graphic shared from Ridwell
Additional Resources
Senate District 15 – Event Calendars
Federal Delegation Links
Education Links
Food and Housing Assistance
Immigration Resources
Be good to yourself and each other. ❤
Onward & Upward,
 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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