Bill Post

UPDATE — 4 June 2020: Good News for Newberg

The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has offered the City of Newberg a Planning Assistance grant award, which aligns with the priorities outlined in HB 2001 that I supported from the 2019 Legislative Session. The grant will fund $10,000 for the upcoming Housing Needs Analysis project in Newberg! Another great step to addressing the housing crisis in our community! You can read more here.

Phase II Guidelines

Governor Brown announced counties can apply for Phase II reopening as soon as tomorrow.

Counties must continue to meet the following criteria in order to enter into Phase II:

Declining disease prevalence;

Having an adequate number of contact tracers;

Establishing adequate testing, isolation and quarantine facilities, sufficient hospital surge capacity, and sufficient personal protective equipment supply.

Click here to see if your county was approved for Phase II.

Phase II Changes:

Extending of hours for bars and restaurants to Midnight.
The remote work requirement will be changed to a strong recommendation.
Bowling alleys and arcades will be able to open.
Some recreational sports may resume.
Pools may open under physical distancing and sanitation requirements.
Movie theaters will be able to operate again.
Guidance is being worked on for zoos, museums, and outdoor gardens to reopen.
College Athletes may return to train as early as mid-June under certain protocols.
Civic/Religious groups will be able to gather in larger groups.
Gathering sizes could increase to as much as 50 for indoor gatherings and 100 for outdoor gatherings except for other occasions specifically called out who will be able to have gatherings with as many as 250 people based on available square footage.

Other Important Details:

At the state level, face coverings are strongly recommended.
Oregon will likely be in Phase Two for the next several months, possibly through the Fall as we wait for effective treatments.
The Oregon Department of Education is still working on how to bring students back to school in the Fall in ways that protect health and safety.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission is working with colleges and universities to develop guidelines.

Read more here.

DMV Information

DMV is gradually reopening, but appointments are required. Unfortunately, DMV's system was unable to keep up with the 18,000 callers that were in the queue by 9am. If you need to schedule an appointment with DMV, be sure to use their new online system! Click here to schedule an appointment and avoid waiting on the phone to schedule.

Unemployment Update

The Oregon Department of Employment (OED) has a phone number for Oregonian's applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). You can reach them at 503-370-5400.

On a daily basis, my inbox is flooded with emails from Oregonians that are STILL struggling to receive there benefits. My office is happy to help you try and connect with OED or with your elected official. Please feel free to contact my office at any time if you need assistance. Read more information here.

UPDATE — 7 May 2020:
Survey dice

Over the course of the last few weeks I have received numerous emails urging the reopening of Oregon’s shuttered businesses, parks, and outdoor recreation spaces. Much of this is in light of the fact that Oregon’s hospitals demonstrated they could handle a public health crisis. Not without sacrificing non-emergency surgeries and seeing a decrease in emergency room visits, which negatively affected the health of thousands of Oregonians, but also placed many of our rural hospitals in dire financial situations.

Many sectors of our business community have continued to operate successfully during this public health crisis with adjusted physical spacing, enhanced hygiene regiments, and in some cases additional gloves and other protections. We have experienced these new disciplines as we have gone about our routines during this stay home – stay healthy environment.

The most recent statistical information from OHA has shown that "The data show that nearly 6 in 10 of the victims of COVID-19 suffered from heart disease. Nearly 1 in 3 had diabetes. Almost a quarter of the deaths are of former smokers, but just one out of the 73 cases the OHA reviewed was a current smoker at the time they contracted the virus." (Willamette Week full article here)

Today, if you would please take a moment to complete this online survey it would be sincerely appreciated. I remain committed to listening, responding, and leading. Your participation in this survey will help me to better serve you.

Click here to participate in this survey!

Thank you for your time and support throughout this pandemic. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns.

UPDATE — 28 April 2020:
PUA-CARES Act

The Employment Department has been working extremely hard to process claims and try to fix this broken system. Today, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is now open! If you are self-employed, you can now apply for benefits! Click here to learn more about the program and FAQ's. Apply now by clicking here.

Additionally, below is some more FAQs and information regarding unemployment benefits. As always, please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.

Be well.

Information and Resources During COVID-19:

OREGON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Q: I am self-employed and have been denied UI benefits. Does the CARES Act help me?
A: As long as a person’s unemployment is connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary benefits can be made available to self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and “gig” economy employees. They also will be eligible to receive the additional $600 weekly Pandemic Unemployment Compensation.

Q: I am not able to start a new job because of the pandemic. Can I get help?
A: The CARES Act provides temporary benefits to individuals who were unable to start a new job or contract due to the pandemic.

CURRENT QUALIFYING SITUATIONS FOR UI BENEFITS
The following situations are deemed to be “COVID-19 related situations”:

A person is unable to work because they are ill with the novel coronavirus.
A person is unable to work because they have been potentially exposed to the novel coronavirus and have been subjected to a mandatory quarantine period.
A person is unable to work because they have been advised by their health care provider or by advice issued by public health officials to self-quarantine due to possible risk of exposure to, or spread of, the novel coronavirus.
A person is unable to work because their employer has ceased or curtailed operations due to the novel coronavirus, including closures or curtailments based on the direction or advice of the Governor or of public health officials.
A person is unable to work because they have to stay home to care for a family member, or other person with whom they live or for whom they provide care, who is suffering from the novel coronavirus or subject to a mandatory quarantine.
A person is unable to work because they have to stay home to care for a child due to the closure of schools, child care providers, or similar facilities due to the novel coronavirus.
A person is being asked to work when it would require them to act in violation of a mandatory quarantine or Governor’s directive regarding the limitation of activities to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Able to work – Federal law requires a person be able to work in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
A person will not be deemed unable to work because:
- They are quarantined by their health care provider, or by advice issued by public health officials to self-quarantine due to possible risk of exposure to, or spread of, the novel coronavirus, but they are not sick
- They are home sick because of the novel coronavirus or a condition with similar flu like symptoms and they have not turned down an offer of work since they began being at home due to the sickness
- They are hospitalized, or in other institutionalized care, due to the novel coronavirus, but for less than half of the week, and they did not turn down an offer to work that week
A person is unable to work in a week if they are offered suitable work and do not accept it because they are sick with novel coronavirus, or a condition with similar flu like symptoms.
Actively seeking work – Federal law requires a person to be actively seeking work in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits. A person will be considered actively seeking work if they are unemployed because of a COVID-19 related situation, or if their work search efforts are significantly impacted by the novel coronavirus, and:
They and their employer intend on the person resuming work for their employer when COVID-19 related situations permit (they are “employer attached”) and the person stays in contact with their employer, as reasonably required by their employer, so they can return to work when the employer permits them to do so; or,
They or their employer do not intend for the employee to return to work for their employer (they are not “employer attached”) and the person is doing what they can to find employment.
Available for work – Federal law requires a person to be available for work in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits. A person will not be deemed unavailable for work because:
- They are staying in their home, or are quarantined, due to risk of exposure to, or spread of, the novel coronavirus at the advice of a health care provider or by advice issued by public health officials or by directive of a government official, even if their employer had work for them they could otherwise have performed;
- They are home solely because they lack childcare for a child or children due to school or daycare closures or curtailments; or
- They are home to care for a family member due to the effects of novel coronavirus.

The CARES Act was expanded to provide access and allow persons to remain on Unemployment Insurance due to the COVID-19 crisis. People are not disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance benefits under the following circumstances (although they still must meet the weekly eligibility requirements to receive benefits):

A person is discharged because of a COVID-19 related situation (ORS 657.176(2)(b));
A person quits work because of a COVID-19 related situation (ORS 657.176(2)(c));
A person fails to apply for work when referred by the employment office or the director because of a COVID-19 related situation (ORS 657.176(2)(d);
A person fails to accept an offer of work because of a COVID-19 related situation (ORS 657.176(2)(f);

SITUATIONS THAT STILL DISQUALIFY PERSONS FOR UI BENEFITS
While those eligible for Unemployment Insurance has expanded during the COVID-19 Crisis, the following scenarios still disqualify an individual from receiving Unemployment Insurance:

Quitting a job.
Being out of the labor market.
Attending school.
Being incarcerated.
Missing an opportunity to work.
Turning down a job.
Not seeking work unless due to Covid-19 related temporary job loss.
Receiving retirement pay.
Failing to participate in the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment interview.
Turning down a referral to work.
Being unemployed as a result of a labor dispute.
Weeks claimed by school employees during the summer, winter, or spring break periods or between terms.

UPDATE — 22 April 2020: First Responders

Starting TODAY from McDonald's....

"Inspired by the heroes we continue to serve, starting Wednesday, April 22, through Tuesday, May 5, all first responders and healthcare workers are eligible for a free "Thank You Meal" via drive-thru and carry-out at participating McDonald's locations by simply showing a work badge. Each meal will be served in the iconic Happy Meal Box with breakfast and daytime options available. Please click here and here for social media posts promoting this offer. Please also consider sharing these to your networks to help spread word to first responders and healthcare workers."

Emergency Management

Check out the new recently launched website for COVID-19 Response. The website introduces several new features and upgrades to information previously available.

Easy access to the Daily Covid-19 Report
Resources – there are extensive resources listed by topic
PPE information – information on outgoing and incoming shipments, with a daily breakdown by county of PPE received
Easy access for anyone wanting to donate, sell or volunteer services or goods
Map – by county case data
Do Your Part – check out this section for an A-Z run down of information and public service announcements from the CDC

Upcoming Emergency Board Meeting

On Thursday, April 23rd, the Joint Emergency Board will be meeting to allocate funds to support and protect Oregonians throughout this pandemic. The funding topics include:

1. Housing and Community Services Department – Safe Shelter and Rental Assistance
2. Oregon Business Development Department – COVID-19 Emergency Business Assistance
3. Department of Justice – Emergency Housing for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence
4. Department of Administrative Services – Oregon Worker Relief Fund
5. Bureau of Labor and Industries – Human Resource Position
6. Department of Human Services – Long Term Care Worker COVID-19 Testing and Training
7. Oregon Business Development Department – Critical Access Hospital Stabilization Loans
8. Department of Administrative Services – Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund
9. Department of Forestry – 2019 and 2020 Fire Seasons Costs
10. Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority – Non-State Employee Collective Bargaining
11. Public Defense Services Commission – Public Defense System Improvements

You can learn more by clicking here. Additionally, the committee will be live for viewers to watch from home.

UPDATE — 26 March 2020: An Inspirational Story

Bell Foods

Clean hands I wanted to tell you a story of a businessman in a neighboring House District to mine who has an amazing story of his business doing what it takes to help Oregon.

Robert Eakle is the CEO of Bell Foods in Gervais (here is their website: http://www.bellfoodsintl.com/) Bell Foods has been around for a long time with a normal operation of 4 production lines for blueberries, salsas, spaghetti sauces, cocktail mixes and other liquids. With over 100,000 square feet it's quite a facility. When the Covid-19 hit Oregon, Robert was forced to make a decision: let his 30 employees go or do something radical. He went radical and started producing hand sanitizer! Here is the product and information:

Read the full story by clicking here.

Stay Informed

I wanted to send a quick update with useful information you may or may not be aware of. You can also sign up for daily text updates by clicking here or follow my Facebook page for the quickest updates.

As always, please let me know if my office can be of any assistance. We will get through this together.

Be well.

Small Business Centers

Small Business Centers

Oregon’s Small Business Development Centers remain committed in every community throughout our state to supporting small business recovery efforts. Get more information here!

Grocery Guidelines

NW Natural

We will not disconnect or charge late fees for customers who can’t make a payment due to impacts caused by the coronavirus. Customers will continue to receive bills and past-due notices. But NW Natural will not send a final shut-off notice and disconnect service.
NW Natural will donate $1 million to children and families at risk. In response to COVID-19, we are focusing these contributions to community organizations that support those in need, including food banks, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, emergency responders and community action partners and have made these unrestricted grants.

Read more here.

Sit-Stat Report

Click here to read the entire report!

UPDATE — 19 March 2020: Resources

Below are a few different links for resources for businesses and employees, as well as health information:

Federal guidance for small businesses, including information on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.
Small Business Administration Guidance

Work Share allows employers to leverage Partial Unemployment Insurance benefits for employers whose workforce is impacted by COVID-19
Work Share Oregon

Information for employers, workers, and job seekers.
Oregon Employment Department

State guidance for Oregon businesses.
Business Oregon Interim Guidance for Businesses

A comprehensive list of food resources from how to apply for SNAP (or report a decrease in income) to food pantries to school meal replacements.
Accessing Food During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Information on personal hygiene, social distancing, and what to do if you are sick:
OHA Coronavirus Page

How to protect yourself:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

What to do if you're sick:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

WHO Updates:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

Important FYI:

Coronavirus Info OHA reported 10 additional cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the states to total up to 75. There have also been two new COVID-19 related deaths, one in Washington County and one in Lane County. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon to 3.

The Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response met today for about four and a half hours. You can watch today's committee meeting here. The committee is planning to meet again on Friday the 20^th, but a time has not been set yet.

Hospital Coordination

The Joint Taskforce on Health Care System Response is working to manage demand and grow health care capacity.
A mobile hospital facility is being set up at the State Fairgrounds to act as a location for step down, hospital diversion or recovery care.
Oregon Health Authority is looking into how many currently unlicensed hospital beds we can put into use.
OHA is also exploring the possibility of converting places such as hotels or dorm rooms into health care capacity.
The health care system may require a staffing lift and new resources to hire people to staff necessary jobs.
Taskforces are meeting today, tomorrow and Friday and will come back with recommendations for building new health care capacity, particularly for ICU beds.
Projections are that we will need 1000 additional beds to meet the surge.
Non-emergency medical visits, including many dental procedures, are being put off to save on personal protective equipment and to free up facilities and staff.

Medical Workforce

Oregon is accessing local Medical Reserve Corps and ServeOR, groups comprised of former health care professionals to bolster the workforce.

Childcare

As part of the new guidance for school districts, the Governor is asking schools to come up with plans to offer childcare for the children of health care workers and first responders.

Emergency Management Command Structure

A Unified Command Structure has been established utilizing the All Hazards organizational structure.
This is the same structure that would be utilized during a Cascadia event.
60 people are working in the Emergency Coordination Center.

Testing and Supplies

Commercial Labs began reporting on COVID-19 tests on Monday. Oregon now can conduct between 1000-1500 tests per week. Director Allen is hoping that capacity could rise to 2000 test per week soon.
Supplies of Personal Protective Equipment are still critical.
Oregon has received 10% of our request for PPE from the Federal Government. Another 15% of that request should be on its way.
Oregon has already used 28 percent of our supply of N95 Masks, 66% of our supply of surgical masks, and 83% of our supply of gowns.
Steps are being taken to reduce the use of PPE as well as find additional sources of PPE.

Economic Outlook

The Coronavirus Economic Recovery Council met for the first time yesterday. You can find the council's charter and membership here.
The Council will be addressing immediate, short term and long term needs. They will be working on an ongoing needs assessment and identifying gaps.
Regional Recovery Teams will be deployed through the state's Regional Solutions structure.
According to the Governor's Office, it is still too early to determine the full economic damages Oregon will face during this crisis.
The Governor's Office believes general fund tax receipts will drop significantly and this it is important that we be careful regarding state finances until we know more of the economic impacts
A coordinated group including financial experts from both the legislative and executive branches will be established to focus on the statewide financial impacts faced by Oregon as a result of the Coronavirus crisis.
May 20^th is when the next revenue forecast is planned.
Department of Revenue has posted guidance for taxpayers for seeking exemptions and relief.

Relief for Business

Businesses are saying that cash flow is their biggest issue. Businesses need money to pay employees and keep their doors open.
Businesses are asking to delay the implementation of the Corporate Activities Tax to ensure businesses can pay employees and bills.
Easing up on several state regulations would go a long way in assisting Oregon businesses.
The Small Business Administration has modified its requirements for a statewide declaration. A request has been submitted and Oregon should hear back from the SBA tomorrow. All counties in Oregon should then have access to funds through the SBA.

Housing

The Governor's Office believes that we should explore the possibility of providing rental assistance and maybe even mortgage assistance in tandem with a moratorium on evictions to help keep people housed during the crisis.
It will be necessary to look up the entire chain to ensure that landlords who rely on rent to pay their mortgages are protected.

Unemployment Insurance and Workers Comp

In expanding and extending Unemployment Insurance, we have to ensure that whatever changes are made do not have an impact on the matching funds Oregon receives from the federal government.
Many employers are now seeking unemployment benefits, some for the first time. The website is facing issues due to the federal database being overloaded, but that is being worked on.
Guidance is being worked on for health care workers and first responders to have workers' compensation layered into their benefit structure.
Oregon is working with SAIF and self-insured employers to move the market into a presumption of industrial exposure for health care workers and first responders for COVID-19.
Several groups fall through the cracks for UI coverage. Looking into protection for Independent Contractors and LLC owners who do not have UI insurance coverage withheld.
Businesses have suggested diverting the Corporate Kicker into bolstering the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Be safe.

[17 March 2020]

COVID-19 Update:

Governor Kate Brown has enacted new rules in regards to the coronavirus. All that is posted below is effective from today (3/17/2020) for four weeks:

The practice of social distancing is now 25 persons (most stores including grocers and pharmacies will be exempt).
Restaurants must do carry out or delivery only with NO dine in or on site consumption (non compliance will lead to a Class C Misdemeanor).
All businesses should evaluate social distancing practices.
A committee/group will be formed for mitigation of economic impact of these decisions. Gov. Brown says she's convening a council on economic relief for those affected by covid19: "We want to make sure Oregon families have the resources they need to pay rent/mortgage, and purchase essentials."
Metro area hospitals will act as a unified health system to increase bed capacity and private entities will be opened for bed capacity
As for schools: Gov. Brown previously ordered schools closed through March 31. She now says she's "reevaluating" the length of that, considering her cancellation of gatherings of 25+ for four weeks.

Also Gov. Brown says she'll likely call a special session in the next few weeks to address economic impacts already hitting Oregonians. As a legislator that concerns me with "social distancing" measures in effect so if we do meet, I would hope it's by teleconference or otherwise remotely. I do not know anymore than that, and what is on the video posted for replay below. This is significant. I absolutely realize the impact this will have on ALL Oregonians but especially those in the food services industry. I have hope that this group that will be formed will look to help those who will be hurt by this action. I have sent emails to those whom I believe can answer best, asking many questions.I will continue to do my best to keep you up to date as I learn more. President Trump today said "10" was the social distancing that the CDC recommends and that he believes this will not be over until July or August. So my friends, get used to spending time with your immediate family, stay home, when out stay 6 feet away from everyone, wash your hands, sterilize everything....be safe! It was also brought up "what about casinos" and as I answered earlier, they are on tribal land so not affected by these orders though the governor asked tribal leaders to consider them. Here is replay of live video from earlier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jQndXECPSc

Useful Links:

Here are further bits of information that I thought might be of help to you...

Here are links to each city page in House District 25 (Keizer, St. Paul and Newberg) specifically dealing with coronavirus updates:

St. Paul: https://www.stpauloregon.org/administration/page/city-st-paul-covid-19-information?fbclid=IwAR3t-ubrKz3oE-E3fFQaX67RHHaUevhSbF3waVecEv_x1nCJzK2E5ZNKQKY

Newberg: https://www.newbergoregon.gov/citymanager/page/coronavirus-covid-19-information

Keizer: https://www.keizer.org/CoronaVirusInformation

Important Info From Comcast:

Comcast is taking steps to implement the following new policies for the next 60 days, and other important initiatives:

Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
Pausing Our Data Plan: With so many people working and educating from home, we want our customers to access the internet without thinking about data plans. While the vast majority of our customers do not come close to using 1TB of data in a month, we are pausing our data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
No Disconnects or Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams will be available to offer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions.
Internet Essentials Free to New Customers: It’s even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward. Below is info on how/where to sign up for IE:
- https://www.internetessentials.com/
- 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish

For more information and updates from Comcast related to Coronavirus, visit: http://www.comcastcorporation.com/COVID-19/

Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus:

The agenda for the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response is on OLIS: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019I1/Committees/JSCVR/2020-03-18-10-00/Agenda. The meeting is set to begin on Wednesday, March 18, at 10AM.

The committee, which House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney formed last week, will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to protect the legislators and staff participating in the meeting.

Committee members will receive online and remote public testimony. The committee will only hear invited testimony during the meeting. Members of the public can submit ideas, feedback and testimony via email to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Written testimony will be posted on OLIS and the committee meeting will be livestreamed on OLIS

The committee is charged with the following tasks:

Identify actions to support low-income and vulnerable Oregonians and small businesses as they comply with public health guidance. These actions could include short-term economic relief, protection from housing instability, support for those not eligible for state programs (such as sick leave and unemployment insurance) and more.
Monitor public health strategies and response for COVID-19 and consider additional statutory changes to assist with the public health emergency.
Make timely budget and policy recommendations to the Legislature.

I invite you to "follow" my Facebook page as that is the best way to get information out quickly to you and I update it multiple times per day. It's www.facebook.com/billpostfororegon

Please let my office know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Signature
Bill Post
State Representative - HD 25

email: [email protected] I phone: 503-986-1425
address: 900 Court St NE, H-479, Salem, OR 97301
website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/post

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