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The Oregon Legislature wrapped up the second Special Session of 2020 on Monday night, just minutes before midnight. We balanced the budget - keeping important education funding intact. We helped workers struggling to get their unemployment benefits and strengthened police accountability measures. There is more work to be done and I stand ready to represent my constituents and find ways to support Oregonians in this challenging time.

The legislature passed two bills to help Oregonians who have been waiting on their unemployment claims. While I am happy we were able to make positive change for some unemployed Oregonians, I am deeply disappointed we were not able to vote on a third unemployment related bill which would have helped thousands more.
* Senate Bill 1701 ([link removed]) increases the amount an unemployed individual may earn from part-time work to $300 (or one-third of their weekly benefit, whichever is greater) before losing their unemployment benefits. Current statute limited earnings to ten times the minimum wage or one-third of the individual’s weekly benefit. This will help restaurants and other businesses who are having trouble employing their workers more than part time.
* Senate Bill 1703 ([link removed]) gives the Governor the ability to authorize the Oregon Department of Revenue to share information necessary to verify the identity or income level of a person seeking an unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Insurance claim during this emergency.
* Senate Bill 1702 ([link removed]) failed in committee. It was designed to remove a unique unemployment roadblock faced by many employees in public and private educational institutions, like bus drivers, janitors, and food service workers, that forces them into the adjudication process and slows the wait for all workers in that process. I am very disappointed this bill was prevented from coming to the floor, but I will keep fighting for this concept to move forward in our next special session.

We Also passed
* House Bill 4303 ([link removed]) , which maintains school funding through the use of reserve funds that past legislatures set aside for this exact type of economic downturn. I was proud to take this vote that enabled us to prevent any cuts to our schools and ultimately supports our students, teachers and districts during this time of uncertainty.

Whether I’m voting from my desk or masked up in the gallery to observe social distancing, advocating for you during a long, short, or special session, I’m continually honored to represent House District 37 and love this job working on your behalf for Oregonians.

Unemployment Updates

People in our community are hurting and desperate. While I'm proud to have been able to help some constituents through the process, far too many are still in need, living in fear they'll lose their housing or won't have enough to pay for medicine, food, car payments, and basic needs.

I won't rest until we've fixed these problems in the long term. I'm going to keep fighting to make sure every Oregon worker has what they need to make it through this downturn. ICYMI; My op ed on the subject HERE ([link removed])

And for those of you still needing help with unemployment here are a few helpful links and of course you can always contact my office.
1. Recorded webinar from July 23, 2020 ([link removed]) concerning the new PUA online form
2. Step by Step PUA form ([link removed]) ; a video concerning how to get to the system, how to file claims
3. Recorded webinar from July 30, 2020 ([link removed]) concerning PUA process changes, reported earnings changes and more
4. Also check out the Contact Us form ([link removed]) on the new and improved employment department website ([link removed])

Some helpful Q&A the agency shared with my office:

Q. How long does it take to see an update online after talking to someone at OED who made a change and says I will be able to see it online? Immediately? A few days? How much time do I l let pass before I call again?
A. In most situations, changes should be reflected overnight (changes made on Saturday may not be reflected until the following Tuesday)

Q. Once a Work Share application is approved, how many weeks should it take before someone sees a payment?
A. It may take up to eight weeks. That timeframe is shortening, and many people begin to receive benefits more quickly, but particularly if it is a very large plan, it can take time for all of the individual claims for people covered by the plan to be processed and start paying.

Q. Why can’t people apply for direct deposit with the initial application, rather than needing to wait for their claim to be processed. For too many people, their payments get put on the ReliaCard, and they have to deal with an added layer of hassle (and delay) of transferring their funds to their bank accounts or withdrawing them from an ATM.
A. We would like to see this, too. Early in this recession we tried to make this change. Unfortunately, it was not working as intended and was creating significant issues that we have not had the ability, given the work needed to stand up new programs and get other priorities done, to return to this work.

Q. If someone has exhausted all of their benefits, gone through 13 weeks of regular UI, then 13 weeks of PEUC, then 13 weeks of EB which will expire next week. (They had been on UI prior to March). Should they file for PUA, or are they in fact at the end of their benefits?
A. If someone has used up all 26 weeks of regular benefits, and 13 weeks of PEUC, they should be eligible for up to 20 weeks of EB benefits right now (we are in a “high extended benefits” or HEB situation so there are more weeks available). If those also exhaust, it is possible the person may be eligible for a new regular benefits claim, or for PUA or, unfortunately in some situations, the person may not be eligible for any benefits we administer. The best approach is for the person to continue filing weekly claims.

Q. Can you tell me how the OED unemployment works for people associated with schools?
A. There are federal and state laws that apply specifically to people who work for educational institutions. We have information about these laws on our website ([link removed]) .

Q. For Oregonians who had active unemployment claims prior to the COVID shutdown, what options do they have for extending or continuing their claim if they are unable to return to work due to COVID restrictions? What do these folks need to do, and where do they go for information, if they will need benefits after their initial unemployment claim expires?
A. There are several extension programs in place right now, including PEUC and EB, and depending on a number of factors, people may be eligible for one of those, for PUA, or for a new regular UI claim. The best place for information isour new website ([link removed]) . The best generally applicable approach is to continue filing weekly claims. In many cases, they will automatically be asked the few additional questions needed for them to begin receiving PEUC benefits. If we do need additional information, we will reach out to the person. While we are increasing our speed of getting people onto these extensions, it is still taking us several weeks at this point.

Q. People receive checks and denial letters at the same time. What do they do with the letters and
checks? If the checks have already been deposited; should they be concerned?
A. There are many different scenarios that could have happened. The most likely is that the person
filed for both regular UI and PUA, received checks under one program and notices under the other informing them that they cannot get benefits under that other program. Another possibility is that there were issues with the weeks that were at least partially addressed – that the letters were triggered by our automatic systems, but an employee took required action for benefits to be paid out. If the letters were asking for additional information, the person should complete them and get them back to us (if it is the same question, and the same answer, for all of the weeks, they can send just one back and indicate the time period that their information covers).

Q. When using the new online PUA form, how do people know they have successfully submitted the form? They didn't get an automatic email confirming their submission.
A. We are working to provide a confirmation email, but do not know when that will be available. In the meantime, if you check your claim status the next day (or Tuesday morning if you submit it after 7:00 pm on a Saturday), you should see the weekly claim reflected.

Oregon Legislature Strengthens Chokehold and Use of Force Statutes

During this week's Special Session the Oregon Legislature voted to strengthen legislation passed earlier this year limiting the use of chokeholds by law enforcement and strengthen use of force statutes. Legislation that was developed with the support of law enforcement, House Bill 4301 ([link removed]) prohibits the use of chokeholds and other physical force that would impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on someone’s throat or neck by police or corrections officers except for instances of self-defense as defined by state law. The legislation also modifies Oregon’s use of force statutes to more closely align with the requirements articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court in Tennessee v. Garner. The measure also adds a requirement that a peace officer consider alternatives to deadly physical force if a reasonable opportunity to do so exists. We now have a clear statewide standard
that officers are expected to de-escalate conflicts and use only the amount of force necessary.

This legislation is part of a package of bills being developed for the 2021 session by the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus. The legislation under development includes further limitations on tear gas and munitions, improvements to law enforcement identification, creation of a misconduct and use of force database, improved pattern and practice and the elimination of qualified immunity. All of the concepts are being evaluated by the bipartisan and bicameral Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform, co-chaired by Rep. Bynum and Sen. Manning.

Department of Education updates guidance for 2020-21 school year

As part of its planned guidance review process, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released updates to Ready Schools, Safe Learners ([link removed]) , the 2020-21 school year guidance.

Ready Schools, Safe Learners, developed under the direction of Governor Brown and in collaboration with OHA, provides a framework for schools for the 2020-21 school year that prioritizes the health and safety of all students and staff and the families they return to each day.

The revised guidance gives rural and remote schools more flexibility to offer in-person instruction. The new metrics require close partnership between school districts and local public health authorities to oversee a return to in-person instruction in small communities not impacted by COVID-19. The metrics also clarify limited in-person opportunities in schools required to operate through Comprehensive Distance Learning. ODE stated its priority is to return to in-person instruction as soon as it can be accomplished with stability and safety.

Learn more about the updated guidance from yesterday’s press release ([link removed]) .

COVID 19 Statistics & Resources
The US just surpassed 5 million Covid 19 cases, as the Midwest grappled with new spikes and states across the South and the West fought to contain surges. As of today, the total US deaths is 162,407 and counting. Here in Oregon, the total positive cases is 21,282 with the deaths at 372 people. And let’s not ignore the amount of people who survive this but endure lasting health issues from the novel coronavirus. Lets all remember to take a deep breath & exhale. While our COVID 19 data shows that we’re doing better than many states, it is still spreading in our communities. This journey continues, and we must always remember that if we don’t take the necessary safety precautions, community spread will continue and it will impact our vulnerable communities the most. With the right information we will get through this together. The Safe + Strong ([link removed]) campaign provides important information and tools in 12 languages. And if you need help with food resources
please look here ([link removed]) .

Bright Spot In a Difficult Week

As elected officials to a citizen legislature, we don’t always admit this: some weeks are really tough. And this was a hard week. I was preparing for the special session, fighting for my constituents that still need benefits, and caring for my patients during a pandemic. But, I also celebrated with a patient who came home after surviving COVID-19. They were in the ICU for three weeks, and in a skilled nursing facility for three weeks, while waiting for the tests results they needed to go back to their long term care facility. This virus and its effects are serious and scary but having my patient back home was a bright spot in a difficult week.

If You Or Someone You know Is Having a Difficult Week - Here Are Some Helpful Numbers

National Suicide Prevention Hotline | 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741

Oregon Youthline | Call 877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863 between 4pm - 10pm to text with another teen.

National Youth Crisis Hotline | 1-800-442-HOPE (4673)

Oregon Partnership 24 Hour Youth Helpline | 1-877-553-TEEN (8336)

NAMI Oregon | 503-230-8009 or 800-343-6264, email [email protected] - Live support from 9am - 5pm, M-F.

The Trevor Project | 1-866-488-7386 - 24/7 suicide prevention for LGBTQ.

Senior Loneliness Line | 503-200-1633 or 800-282-7035 - For Oregonians 55+ years old. Get ongoing support, resources, and listening sessions.

Veteran Crisis Line | 1-800-273-8255 - Call, chat, or text options, with deaf and hard of hearing support available.
August 18, 2020 | Ready, Set, GO: Final State Guidance for School Reopenings in COVID-19

Join me for the discussion with education and health care experts to discuss newly updated plans for school re-openings. Learn how to make the most of the online learning experience, consider school-by-school challenges and opportunities, and explore strategies for ensuring safety and equity. Register here ([link removed]) .

Don't forget about the 2020 Census

What's at stake? Funding and representation. It only takes 10 minutes to make a positive impact for Oregon families for the next 10 years. A complete and accurate census count is so important. If you haven’t been counted yet, there is still time! Fill out your census form today and do your part to make sure your community is counted and receives the resources it needs for the next decade. You can complete the census online ([link removed]) , by phone
([link removed]) , or by mail
([link removed]) . More information can also be found at Oregon2020Census.gov
([link removed]) or 2020Census.gov ([link removed])

Local HD 37 Resources:
* Clackamas County: [link removed]
* West Linn: [link removed]
* Washington County: [link removed]
* Tualatin: [link removed]
* King City: [link removed]
* Durham: [link removed]
* TTSD school district: [link removed]
* WLWV school district: [link removed]

Please email me (http:// [email protected]) if you have specific concerns. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.

You can subscribe or read past newsletters here ([link removed]) .

For up-to-date Covid 19 information from the Oregon Health Authority, please check this link ([link removed])

Governor Brown’s COVID-19 Resource page ([link removed]) .

And if you want to follow Up-to-date Statistics from the Oregon Health Authority for case counts, testing counts, breakdowns by geography, demographic, and hospitalization information go here ([link removed]) .

Thank you for reading! We will get through this together.

Sincerely,
Rachel Prusak

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