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Friends and Neighbors,

This past week marked a first for the State of Oregon: official recognition--and celebration--of a new state holiday, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, (10/11) recognizing the Native people who created self-sufficient, thriving and successful communities for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. More than recognizing those who have changed the landscape of Oregon’s history, it’s important we honor their sacrifice and struggle, and respect their continued strength in the face of discrimination.

On Tuesday, I attended a celebration hosted by Clackamas County and Clackamas Community College, in collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and local Indigenous community members. The virtual event was a great way to acknowledge the past and uplift our present-day community.

Since I took office in 2019, I have proudly supported legislation that supports Native, tribal and Indigenous communities in Oregon:
* I worked closely on the Dental Therapy Bill (HB 2528 ([link removed]) ), which expands dental therapy care, addressing inequities in oral care and hygiene.
* Indian Child Welfare Act (HB 4148 ([link removed]) ) seeks to protect Native children and families in our foster care system, promoting Native children's continued connection to culture, family, and tribe.
* Tribal Regalia (HB 2052 ([link removed]) ) honors Native traditions, expression and items of cultural significance at public school events.
* Missing Native Women (HB 2625 ([link removed]) ) directs the Department of State Police to study how to increase criminal justice and investigative resources towards future and past cases of missing and murdered Native women in Oregon.
* Water Rights (HB 2244 ([link removed]) ) prevents the abuse of the judicial process that deprives senior water rights holders – including the Klamath and Confederated Umatilla Tribes – from use of their water rights pursuant to a final order of the Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD).

This past week I was also invited by the Oregon Nurses Association to discuss what it is like to be the first Nurse Practitioner to serve in the Oregon legislature. The interview was a fun 15 minutes. You can watch here. ([link removed])


My Washington D.C. Trip

Last month, I was honored to be one of 27 state leaders from across the country to attend The Council of State Governments Medicaid Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C. The Medicaid Leadership Academy is an invite-only event for state legislators who hold leadership positions on health-related committees, are already familiar with the basics of Medicaid policy and are interested in a deeper examination of its complexities.

I proudly shared how Oregon expanded Medicaid coverage for undocumented community members; established the Oregon Essential Workforce Health Care Program to provide supplemental payments to long term care facilities, residential facilities and in-home care agencies; and my priority telehealth legislation which lowers barriers to healthcare.

This year, attendees heard from federal Medicaid officers, public policy think tanks and state Medicaid agencies. Examples of sessions included Maternal Mortality and Medicaid, discussing maternal mortality rates, and Lessons Learned on Long-Term Care, and looking at home and nursing care options during the pandemic.

After hearing from leaders across the nation about the innovative Medicaid work they are doing, I left the conference feeling inspired and energized in my pursuit of inclusive, accessible healthcare policy.

Feeling inspired while walking the Congressional Mall

My visit to DC also allowed me to visit with the congressional members that represent Clackamas and Washington counties before I came home.

Congressman Kurt Schrader and I took a walk and talked about the infrastructure bill. I stressed the importance of passing the Build Back Better Bill with the policy addressing the cost of prescription drugs; aiming to make medication affordable for every American.

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and I shared a conversation as I walked with her to the caucus meeting where President Joe Biden sat with House Democrats to discuss the Build Back Better Act. Why are MOST democrats fighting so hard to get it done? Because it is about childcare, climate action, health care, housing, paid leave, community college and pre-k education. It is time to deliver!

Congressman Schrader and I had a great policy discussion - advocacy is everyone’s responsibility.

Congresswoman Bonamici and I had a lovely conversation in the sunshine.

District Updates

Last month, the Newberg School Board implemented a controversial policy that banned “political symbols” on school grounds, effectively banning Pride and Black Lives Matter symbols on campus.

The Oregon Board of Education unanimously passed ahttps://www.oregon.gov/ode/about-us/stateboard/Documents/Resolution%20Encouraging%20Solidarity%20and%20Support%20for%20Student%20Identities.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliveryresolution ([link removed]) last week, calling on the board to not only remove the ban, but to “to encourage district staff to celebrate and stand in solidarity with students through the use of signs, flags, placards and symbols, and affirm in words, policy and action that every student belongs and is welcome.”

In their Oct. 4th meeting, WLWV school board member Kirsten Wyatt made a personal statement suggesting that the board draft their own statement condemning Newberg School Board's actions. "As a school board, I think that we should reaffirm our focus to our students … I would love for us to reaffirm our focus on the 'every student belongs' policy, so our students know that we are taking this seriously. And that we are focused on keeping students safe, promoting their success and fundamentally disrupting systems of racism," she said.

Symbolism relating to LGBTQIA+ Pride and the Black Lives Matter movement is not inherently political. This imagery signifies to students that they are welcome and accepted, no matter their identity. Limiting or outright prohibiting Pride and BLM imagery sends the message that our LGBT+ students and our students of color are not welcome in our schools. I completely agree with OBE that we should be doing everything we can to show every student that they are welcome and accepted through our curriculum, clubs, class discussion and activities, and yes, through imagery and symbols in our classrooms.

COVID Updates

This week’s updated COVID-19 statistics reflect the decline in cases after the surge of the delta variant in Oregon in August and September. Although cases continue to go down, reported deaths are on the rise.

Early this week, OHA reported surpassing 4,000 COVID-related deaths in Oregon, and yesterday, OHA reported the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon reported in a single day at 82. Death is a lagging indicator and generally follows a surge in cases. In addition, there is often a lag in reporting as OHA’s epidemiologists review death certificates.

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 585, which is 59 fewer than yesterday. There are 149 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 21 fewer than yesterday.

As of this week, 2,773,754 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,556,839 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

Third doses and booster doses are also recommended for those who are eligible. Getting vaccinated is helping to bring the surge due to the Delta variant under control and can also reduce the likelihood of other variants emerging. OHA has a detailed blog post ([link removed]) about whether or not a third dose or booster shot is recommended for you.

Healthcare Workers Continue to Show Up

I appreciate this beautiful Oregonian article highlighting how healthcare workers are caring for our communities. I’m grateful to the nurses & the entire ICU team who are showing up everyday to care for COVID-19 patients. It doesn’t have to be this way - I agree with Dr. Germann, “Critics will say this vaccine is new. This is a stale argument. Decades of research on vaccine technologies as well as on other coronaviruses led to the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 6.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given in the world and close to 400 million doses in the United States. We are passing 18 months of study of one of the most scrutinized vaccines ever created. The vaccine is safe and effective.”

COVID vaccine OHSU

Read the article here ([link removed]) . ([link removed])

Kicker Update

Earlier this month, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) confirmed a tax surplus of nearly $1.9 billion, triggering a tax surplus credit, or “kicker,” for the 2021 tax year. Instead of kicker checks, the surplus will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2021 state personal income tax returns filed in 2022.

A ‘What’s My Kicker?’ calculator ([link removed]) is active on the Department of Revenue’s website now. Once on the website, scroll down to the Refunds box and click, ‘What’s My Kicker?’. To calculate a kicker credit, you will enter your name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2020 and 2021.

To calculate the amount of the credit, multiply the 2020 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2020 Form OR-40—by 17.341 percent. This percentage is determined and certified by OEA. Taxpayers who claimed a credit for tax paid to another state need to subtract the credit amount from their liability before calculating the credit.

A person is eligible to claim the kicker if they filed a 2020 tax return and had tax due before credits. Even if they don't have a filing obligation for 2021, they still must file a 2021 tax return to claim the credit. There will be detailed information on how to claim the credit in the 2021 Oregon personal income tax return instructions.

I hope you are taking some time this month to enjoy the changing leaves and beauty of the northwest. Please email me (mailto:[email protected]) if you have specific concerns. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.

Covid-19 Resources:
Oregon Information and Resources ([link removed])
Oregon Health Authority Updates ([link removed])
Federal Government Response ([link removed])
Senator Merkley’s Response Page ([link removed])
SEIU Worker Resource Page ([link removed])
Oregon Unemployment ([link removed])

Thank you for reading and stay safe.

Sincerely,
Rachel Prusak

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