The 2023 legislative session is officially in full swing and I am excited for the weeks and months ahead. I am grateful for those of you who were able to attend my joint town hall last week. We had a great turn out and I’m looking forward to staying connected with you and many others through the 2023 session.
Read on for more information about my swearing in, my committee schedule, my thoughts on the work my office has been up to, the dates of upcoming community events, and more.
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I am honored to have been sworn into my second term representing House District 33 on January 9th. What a thrill to share this day with my husband and daughter who were able to attend the ceremony this year.
It is both humbling and exhilarating that the residents of NW and downtown Portland, Linnton, and Cathedral Park have entrusted me to serve them in the Legislature. I look forward to understanding the hopes and needs of our community and doing all I can to meet them with transparency, compassion, and determination.
As I discussed during my last newsletter, I will serve on three committees this legislative session: Chair, House Committee on Housing and Homelessness; as a member of the House Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health; and on the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans. Please click on the links below if you are interested in seeing who is serving on these committees, what bills we are going to discuss, testimony from the public on the bills coming before the committee or to submit testimony yourself on any of the bills posted.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is causing extraordinary harm in every part of Oregon. I am excited to continue my work on a package of opioid harm reduction bills with an ever-growing coalition of informed and committed community leaders and legislative colleagues. This package, when passed, will give us more tools to use in Oregon to meaningfully decrease the harm to our communities being done by fentanyl and other opioids.
On January 11, I was grateful to have more than 40 stakeholders join our virtual coalition meeting to discuss the next steps for our opioid harm reduction package. The commitment and motivation everyone brought to this discussion was inspiring and I am honored to be working with so many dedicated members of our community to move this important work forward. I am also grateful for the media who have been covering the work we are doing as it will help the public understand why this is important and how to get engaged in helping us get this package passed. Please see some of the recent coverage from the Portland Business Journal and KOIN TV which both highlight this work.
During the first weekend of January, I had the honor of attending the kickoff for the National Conference of State Legislature’s (NCSL) Opioid Policy Fellowship with some of the leading legislators in this area across the country. It is a privilege to be selected to be a fellow and am excited to do this work alongside my Oregon colleague, Representative Lily Morgan. This group of dedicated public servants and experts from the national level helped inform the work we are doing here in Oregon and elevate more opportunities for future policies and initiatives.
State Penitentiary Tour
On January 11 I was able to attend a tour of the state’s penitentiary hospice unit alongside several of my legislative colleagues. Since joining the legislature in 2020, I have taken a special interest in ensuring Oregon is providing high-quality and constitutionally-required care for our Adults in Custody (AICs). This session we will build on the important work already completed by the HB 3035 Task Force. I am particularly grateful to Senator Dembrow for his ongoing dedication to this work: he served as a member of the Task Force with me and organized this very productive tour.
Multnomah County Legislative Breakfast
On January 5, I had the pleasure of attending Multnomah County’s annual legislative breakfast where county and state officials that represent Multnomah County come together to discuss upcoming legislative sessions.
I am inspired to see our many levels of government intentionally reaching out and working together in service to our community. And a side note: at this particular meeting, my office’s indirect source rule air quality bill (HB 2396) was marked as a priority bill for the County!
City of Portland Legislative Breakfast
On January 12 I attended the City of Portland’s annual legislative breakfast. This is an important annual opportunity for the Portland City Council and Portland-based legislators to come together to discuss our priorities for the legislative session and be sure we are working together as effectively as possible to serve our Portland constituents. The significant changes in staff and bureau leadership assignments present both an opportunity and a challenge and I am committed to learning how the city plans to move forward to create the city and community we all want to see – one where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing look forward to partnering with the city to address the immense needs of our city
Sheet Metal Union Tour
On January 5 I toured the SMART Local 16 union site where we discussed indoor air quality as a rising issue facing our state. With recurrent wildfires, it is crucial that we prioritize the retrofitting of HVAC systems to create safe air spaces when air quality plummets.
On January 10 at 6:30pm at the St. Johns Community Center, my office co-hosted a joint town hall with Representative Travis Nelson, Senator Elizabeth Steiner and Senator Lew Frederick. The event was also livestreamed on Facebook. We discussed housing, the I5 bridge, behavioral health and more. As you can tell by the amazing turnout, above, many of our residents care deeply about the quality of life in our district.
If you have additional thoughts on how I can engage you and our community, please let me know. I have been meeting one-on-one with constituents and community partners to learn more about specific ideas, answer questions, and hear concerns. The best way to reach me and my staff is through my email: Rep.MaxineDexter@oregonlegislature.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!
January 2022 is Portland Music Month (as officially proclaimed by the City of Portland). To celebrate, MusicPortland has curated 31 days of performances at 12 local venues featuring over 100 music acts.
This year's fair will showcase both traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural activities, including a Lion Dance and other Chinese folk dances, Chinese instrumental music, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese martial arts demonstrations, children’s games and more.
Visit Lan Su to experience the most colorful and joyous Chinese festival during the garden’s 16-day Lunar New Year celebration. By the Lunar Calendar, the Lunar New Year celebration of the Year of the Rabbit begins on January 21st, and ends on February. 5th. The festival features cultural performances, festival decorations, craft activities, audio tours, Year of the Rabbit Scavenger Hunts and much more.
Kicking off with the new Lunar Year on January 21st, Lan Su welcomes the community to join in for a lion dance performance at the garden’s Entrance Plaza to usher in the Year of the Rabbit. This is a community event and is FREE for the public. In addition, the first 500 garden visitors of the day will receive a hong bao or traditional lucky red envelope at entry. This performance will also be live-streamed on Lan Su’s Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram.
Join the Portland Chinatown Museum for the 7th Annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration. Presented in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society, the 150-foot dragon will be celebrating the holiday with lion dancers, performers, and a lively community parade through Old Town, Downtown, and up to the Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza.
After a pandemic hiatus, the St. Johns Winter Beer Fest returns to StormBreaker Brewing in Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood on Saturday, January 28th.
This year’s festival will offer two sessions, one from 1:00-4:00 pm and the other from 5:00-8:00 pm. During each session, attendees will be able to choose beers from 17 breweries and two cideries, all of which are in the Portland area.
Portland Winter Light Festival returns over two weeks, February 3–11, 2023, in a pop-up-like format where light art installations will appear throughout the city instead of in a centralized location. The new format and expanded timeline will give visitors more space and time to view installations, minimize crowding, and allow for physical distancing
Oregon Health Plan Eligibility Expanded
As of July 1, 2022 more adults are eligible for OHP benefits and other services and supports, regardless of immigration status. HB 3352 (2021) made this possible. More information is available here. Who is eligible to apply? People who live in Oregon who:
Meet income and other criteria,
Didn’t qualify for full OHP benefits because of their immigration status, and
Are ages 19-25 or 55 and older.
New Phone Number for Suicide and Crisis Hotline
Improving behavioral health resources is an important part of ensuring that people in our communities can get the help they need. As of July 16, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, can be reached by calling or texting 9-8-8 or by visiting https://988lifeline.org/. Please share this information with your community.
Have you checked to see if you have any unclaimed property with the Oregon State Treasury? Companies, nonprofits, and government agencies across the state are required to report and remit unclaimed property, such as uncashed checks, unreturned deposits, forgotten bank accounts, and more, to the Oregon State Treasury.
Last year, the Treasury launched the website unclaimed.oregon.gov to help return unclaimed property to Oregonians. Over $471 million has been returned to Oregonians throughout the state.
Visit unclaimed.oregon.gov, search your name, and select “Claim” to see if you have any unclaimed property. Please note that in order for the Treasury to verify your identity, they will ask for your Social Security number.
Starting in January, 2023, House District 33 will look quite different. Below is an updated map that will be the new HD-33. I have also provided a link here.
For those of you in the Cedar Mill, Bethany, Bonny Slope, and Oak Hills, I am sad to be losing you as constituents, however you will be in fantastic hands with Representative Reynolds for HD-34 and Representative Helm for HD-27. You can subscribe to Rep Reynolds’ newsletter here, and Rep Helm’s newsletter here.
Please remember that vaccines, boosters, and masks are still our best tools to stay as healthy as possible. OHA has also recently launched the electronic vaccine card to help keep track of your doses. If you have questions about additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you might find it helpful to watch the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Q & A here. You can visit this website to find a vaccination location near you, and many pharmacies are allowing walk-in vaccinations.
Oregon has a new Positive COVID Test website where people who test positive can find important information on isolation and other ways to keep themselves and those around them safe as they recover. In addition, reporting your positive test helps the Oregon Health Authority monitor the spread of COVID in our state. Positive COVID Test website and COVID-19 Case Support Hotline, 866-917-8881.
Part of Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), administered by the Federal Communications Commission, gives low-income households a discount on internet services.
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides:
A $30 per month benefit to help households afford access to high-speed internet service.
Up to a $75 per month discount if the household is on qualifying tribal lands.
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50).
Some people who may get the discount:
Have income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines
Participate in certain assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline
Are approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program
How to Participate in ACP: Check your eligibility and enroll in the ACP at getinternet.gov. There is no fee to apply.
New: $30 Internet Plans: The federal government has secured 20 leading internet providers to offer ACP-eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month. Eligible families who pair their ACP benefit with one of these plans can receive high-speed internet at no cost. Visit getinternet.gov for more details.
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved Portland General Electric’s (PGE’s) program to offer income-qualifying residential customers an ongoing discount to their monthly electric bills, effective April 18, 2022. To qualify, customers must self-certify that their total household income is at or below 60% of the state median income level. This matrix will help you determine if you qualify. I was pleased to have sponsored HB 2475 in the 2021 session, which ultimately led to PGE offering this program. This is a first-of-its-kind program that will allow customers to pay a smaller percentage of their income for energy. For more information, and to learn how to apply, visit this website.
St. Honoré Bakery is a locally owned French bakeshop that serves coffee, quiches, sweets, breads and more. It’s a delicious place to catch up with friends and loved ones or grab lunch while you’re out.
If you own or know someone who owns a small business in House District 33, fill out this form to possibly be highlighted in a future newsletter and/or social media post from my office.
The best way to stay informed and connect with my legislative work is through my Facebook page (State Representative Maxine Dexter), and my Instagram (@RepDexterOR). In addition, please feel free to reach out to my office at Rep.MaxineDexter@OregonLegislature.gov.
I am honored to represent you in Salem and look forward to continuing to serve you as we work towards healthy lives, in a healthy community, on a healthy planet.
Clackamas Women’s Services | 503-654-2288 - Call or text | Chat online
211info | 211 (898211) - Call or text | help@211info.org - Email | Connect with resources in your community.
Mobile counseling and crisis support: White Bird Clinic is a collective environment organized to enable people to gain control of their social, emotional, and physical well-being through direct service, education, and community.
Housing assistance, utility assistance, food assistance: United Way of the Columbia-Willamette provides access to critical services like housing assistance and utility assistance and access to food.
Utility assistance: Oregon Energy Fund is a 30-year-old nonprofit that provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians in support of household stability.
Utility assistance: EnergyTrust helps people save money and energy.
Disability assistance: Plan For Work services help individuals with disabilities and provide different services to those in need.
Youth assistance: New Avenues for Youth provides meals, showers, laundry, respite from the streets, engagement activities, and legal counsel.
Community assistance: Oregon Solutions solves community problems using a problem-solving system.
Transportation assistance: Trimet has a reduced fare for low-income rider and seniors age 65+.
Food assistance, water bill assistance, and grants, utility assistance: Care To Share coordinates assistance to families and individuals who seek emergency food and other basic necessities.
Food assistance: Mercy Corps Northwest provides assistance for community members returning from prison.
Food assistance, housing assistance, utility assistance, disability assistance: Department of County Human Services ensures that everyone can reach their potential and contribute to communities.
Follow Representative Dexter on social media to stay connected!
