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To contact me, please click here: Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
Last Saturday, I held my 168th Community Conversation in nine and a half years as a legislator. We met at Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove with Clean Water Services staff in attendance to share information about the nature preserve and walk the grounds to explore this beautiful hidden gem in our area. Unfortunately, an individual came to the meeting with the purpose of being disruptive. I attempted several times to engage and de-escalate the situation, invited him to join the conversation, but my efforts were not met. Others tried to engage in conversation too and find common ground, but this seemed to further his anger and use of profanity. There were about a dozen people in attendance. One person was so startled, they left right away. Another had an emotional reaction to the anger and walked away from the area. An older gentleman, said he was sorry, but could not stay and left the area. As has been reported, the anger escalated to the use of vulgar language directed at community members, I approached at a respectful distance and said he needed to leave. The individual stepped very close into my face, yelled an expletive, ripped my glasses off my face and threw them in the bushes. I am thankful no one was physically harmed, but the event was upsetting for several people present and I am sorry that it occurred. About half the people in attendance had never come to a community conversation before. I overheard some say in surprise, “is this normal for a town hall”. The purpose of these meetings have always been for folks to come together ask questions, voice concerns, share ideas and connect with other people in the district. There is plenty happening around us that is leading to fear, isolation and more anger. I believe that when people connect with others, it can build more understanding and allyship. Connection before content.
I remain committed to hearing directly from constituents and encourage Oregonians to continue to show up and keep that engagement peaceful, even when they disagree. A community conversation is an event where all community members are welcome to come and be heard, and I truly appreciate hearing from all sides, whether we agree or disagree on an issue. Everyone should feel safe coming into this space, and I am grateful to law enforcement for their quick response to keep our public safe.
Legislative Lookback
Oregon's Right to Repair Law
In 2024, I brought forward SB 1596, Oregon's Right to Repair Law. This was my third attempt to pass this groundbreaking legislation, and we learned from previous iterations how to bring stakeholders together and pass what was, at the time, the strongest bill in the nation. Advocates like OSPIRG and Environment Oregon were with us every step of the way, and OSPIRG's student organizers were instrumental in getting this bill across the finish line. At its core, the bill requires manufacturers to make the tools, parts, and information needed to fix electronics available to consumers and independent repair shops, instead of forcing people back to the manufacturer every time something breaks. It included a prohibition on "parts pairing," the first in the nation to do so.
Beyond the policy details, this was about something bigger: giving Oregonians back the right to choose how they fix their own stuff, saving families money, supporting small repair businesses, and keeping electronics out of the landfill for a little longer.
In 2025, SB 550 was signed into law. It expands Oregon's Right to Repair law for consumer electronics to include electric wheelchairs and complex rehabilitation equipment. Once again, we worked alongside OSPIRG and Environment Oregon, and with impacted Oregonians, to pass this bill that makes affordable repair options accessible.
The Right to Repair movement continues to grow across the country, with efforts now underway for automobiles, farm equipment, military equipment, and more. There is even talk of a national right to repair policy, and I'm proud of the role Oregon has played in leading the way. I believe that if you own it, you should have control of how, when and where your items are fixed.
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Listen. Learn. Act.
Education Policy & Funding
Investments alone aren’t translating into improved outcomes for our students. How funds are used and the design of our education system matter immensely in turning investments into better outcomes for kids. We need a strategic plan for education in Oregon.
Oregon ranks 50th in the nation for fourth-grade literacy proficiency when adjusted for demographics, and our fourth-grade reading scores have dropped 11 points since 2019 — tied for the steepest decline of any state. Our education system is in crisis and this demands all-hands-on-deck solutions.
Fixing outcomes means not just addressing how much we spend, but also tackling the implementation of our policies so that resources deliver on improving outcomes for the rising generation. Among other states (excluding D.C.), Oregon’s per-pupil spending ranks 19th nationally, teacher pay ranks 10th, and teacher retirement benefits rank 3rd. In Portland Public Schools, the average cost to employ a full-time educator for the 9 months school is in session, salary plus benefits, runs $160,851. Teachers should be paid well for their work and kids deserve high quality teachers that help them learn.
As we work to deliver better outcomes for our students and families, we must ask hard questions. Does our system center on improving core instruction? Does it put the needs of kids ahead of all others? This Education Policy Brief argues that it should — and lays out what it would take to get there, but without a strategic plan to guide, we are left to business as usual, ninety legislators dropping bills to answer to the crisis and to advocates.
Read the full brief and watch the video introduction.
Out and About in Senate District 15
Shute Park Library Mural Celebration
Last night I attended the Shute Park Library Mural Celebration. This beautiful artwork is titled “Stories Bring Us Together: A Journey of Diversity and Imagination," and was designed by Christian Tellez Garcia (Wesi), who was selected by a community panel to create the new mural. It was wonderful to see so many community members come out in support.
Latino Community Festival
Last weekend I attended the 20th Annual Unitus Community Credit Union Latino Community Festival, hosted by the City of Hillsboro, at the Hillsboro Ballpark. I look forward to this event every year. It is such a great celebration of culture and community with friends and neighbors.
Community Outreach
Oregon Department of Revenue – Strategic Plan Update
The Department of Revenue (DOR) needs your help to plan for the future. They regularly gather feedback from customers and partners when planning for how to improve as an agency.
Your feedback is an essential part of this process. DOR wants their new, multi-year strategic plan to reflect the needs and experiences of those they serve and work with.
Take a few minutes to complete the 9-question survey, to help DOR understand how they are doing and what they can focus on in the future.
Your responses are anonymous and every response will help shape priorities, goals, and decisions for the future. Survey results will be shared with the DOR leadership team as they plan for their direction moving forward.
Please take a few short minutes to fill out the survey.
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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