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Hello Friends,
Although it is hard to believe, the 2021 Holiday Season is upon us. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate this Thanksgiving, I hope it is full of food, friends, and fun. Thank you for all you do to make our community and state such a special place to live.
The 54th Annual WOU Holiday Tree Lighting has returned to an in-person event after a year off. This year the tree lighting takes place on Friday December 3rd at 6pm. I hope to see you all there.
Small Business Saturday: Shop Small, Shop Local
Saturday is Small Business Saturday, which traditionally happens the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This holiday season, we have an opportunity to stand up for our local retailers. These local small businesses are still being negatively impacted by COVID-19, while some bigger rivals have never been more successful. The 21st Century Economy rewards price without concern for conscience or consequence. That said, we can target our purchases and demonstrate our values.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of a healthy economy and the anchors for a vibrant Middle Class. Small businesses in our region often work with local artisans and growers: small businesses help small businesses. And today, we can do our part to send a message to Amazon, Wal-Mart, and the other big box stores.
Join me and pledge to spend at least 1/4 of your holiday purchases in places with fewer than twenty-five employees, places where they know your name, and share a commitment to our community. Who knows, with this one action, we might just send a message heard around the world. It is the right thing to do, and it will help a small business survive another season: let's do this together and make the 2021 holiday season successful for our small businesses.
Apply For Rental Assistance By Dec.1st
Anyone who has fallen behind on rent or may be behind on December rent is encouraged to apply for emergency rental assistance right away; there is a deadline of December 1st at 11:59 pm at oregonrentalassistance.org. After the 1st, the program will pause acceptance of new applicants because of a lack of current funding. If you have already applied, the agency is still working on processing your application.
Oregon Housing and Community Services encourages people to apply for other emergency rental assistance programs across the state to receive the 60-day safe harbor period. Some cities and counties, including Marion County, received Emergency Rental Assistance funding directly from the U.S Department of Treasury. If you live in Marion County and need rental assistance please call 971-706-1364.
People can also contact 211 or the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency.
During the pause, OHCS and local program administrators will continue processing all remaining completed applications quickly, prioritizing those outside the 60- and 90-day windows of protection. The agency expects that all completed applications in the queue will be processed and paid as soon as possible.
OHCS will be notifying anyone with an incomplete application to complete their application before that deadline through a series of correspondences.
If a renter has received an eviction notice, they should call 211. If a renter has received a court summons for eviction, they should call the Oregon Law Center's Eviction Defense Project line (888-585-9638) or send an email to [email protected] to seek legal help.
Drug Price Public Hearing & Survey
 The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) is asking for the public's help before its third annual public hearing on prescription drug prices. The hearing is scheduled for 1 pm - 3 pm Wednesday, December 8th. For more information on the hearing, click the link below:
https://dfr.oregon.gov/drugtransparency/Pages/public-hearings.aspx
DCBS has set up a brief survey for customers to ask questions and share their stories about rising prescription drug prices. Drug prices play a significant role in the health care decisions of Oregonians, and the cost of prescription drugs has steadily increased in the past ten years. The department wants to know what questions you have about the increase in prescription drugs and how it has affected you and your family. To share your story and answer, click this link: http://dcbspage.org/RxStories
Oregonians can get 2022 health coverage through Jan. 15, 2022
If you don't qualify for the Oregon Health Plan and don't get health insurance through your job, now through Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, is an important time. It's the only time of year most people can sign up for an individual or family plan to have coverage in 2022.
Get started by visiting the the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Window Shopping tool at OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop. The tool will allow you to preview programs, plans, and savings available to you; what plans will cover your current doctor; and how much your anticipated costs will be, including refilling your prescriptions.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace helps connect Oregonians to health coverage and financial help through its federal partners at HealthCare.gov. It's the only place where you can get financial help on monthly premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. More than 75 percent of Oregonians enrolled through the Marketplace in 2021 qualified for financial help – that could be you, too!
Health insurance sold through the Marketplace is individual and family coverage offered by private companies you already know, such as Bridgespan, Kaiser Permanente, Moda, PacificSource, Providence, and Regence. Not every company is available in every part the state, but at least four insurance companies and at least 26 plan choices are available everywhere in Oregon.
If you are not currently enrolled through the Marketplace, you must sign up by Dec. 15, 2021 for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2022.
Want help? A health insurance expert can help you, at no cost, apply for financial help and enroll in coverage. You can find an expert near you at OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp.
For more information, visit OregonHealthCare.gov or call 855-268-3767 (toll-free).
Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles Grace Period Ending at the End of the Year
The Oregon Department of Transportation has partnered with Oregon law enforcement agencies to exercise discretion in their enforcement of driver licenses, vehicle registrations and trip permits that expired during the COVID-19 emergency. This grace period is set to end December 31, 2021. Please avoid the line and don't wait until the last minute. Schedule your appointment today!
Yours truly,
Representative Paul Evans
House District 20
email: [email protected] I phone: 503-986-1420
address: 900 Court St NE, H-471, Salem, OR 97301
website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/evans
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