Participants gather March 28 via Zoom for a virtual Meet the Candidates session organized by the Linn County Democrats' Neighborhood Leader Program. First-time candidates taking part were Scott Bruslind, who is running for Linn County Commissioner; Miriam Cummins (House District 15 State Representative); and Paige Hook (House District 17 State Representative.) Jim Hinsvark (District 9 State Senator), another New Democratic candidate, was unable to attend.
Sen. Jeff Merkley: Here's what the relief package means for you
March 26, 2020
We have reached a bipartisan agreement on a relief package for families impacted by the coronavirus — that is, all of us. It has passed in the Senate, the House should follow quickly, and the President has said he will sign the bill.At two trillion dollars, it is the largest relief package in history. Coming to an agreement was challenging, as many corporate interests and their allies in the White House and the Republican caucus sought to extract goodies for themselves and to remove oversight provisions.
But Democrats were united and forced many improvements.
Personally, I fought to ensure that small businesses would be provided fully-forgivable loans that provide a bridge over the abyss that we're facing, and keep workers employed as much as possible.
I fought to ensure a massive surge of funding — a Marshall Plan — for our hospitals and health care system, including critical provisions to support nurses.
This bill includes funding to support child care assistance for front line medical staff, first responders, sanitation workers and other essential workers; funding for affordable housing and homelessness assistance; and funding for schools and colleges to keep our students learning safely.
Most working and middle-class families will receive a check for $1200 per adult and $500 per child in the next few weeks. It's not enough, but it's a start. Individuals who receive unemployment benefits will see a boost of $600/week above current benefit levels, and it will include self-employed workers, contractors, and gig workers as well.
And we've established critical oversight to ensure that when funds are made available to major corporations, the American people can know where the money is going and what it's intended to do. Businesses that accept federal loans must protect their workers and may not engage in stock buybacks.
On a personal level, thank you for the many notes expressing concern about my well being. In the Senate, almost all of our staff is on a work-from-home status. Like many of you, we're mostly communicating through email, phone calls, and video calls. We're minimizing votes on the floor, and when we do vote, we walk in and walk out — keeping a safe distance from each other. I feel healthy and strong.
Things look pretty dark, but we're going to get through this. We'll do what it takes to stop the spread of the coronavirus and we'll do everything we can to rebuild our economy and protect families.
Onward.
– Jeff
We have reached a bipartisan agreement on a relief package for families impacted by the coronavirus — that is, all of us. It has passed in the Senate, the House should follow quickly, and the President has said he will sign the bill.At two trillion dollars, it is the largest relief package in history. Coming to an agreement was challenging, as many corporate interests and their allies in the White House and the Republican caucus sought to extract goodies for themselves and to remove oversight provisions.
But Democrats were united and forced many improvements.
Personally, I fought to ensure that small businesses would be provided fully-forgivable loans that provide a bridge over the abyss that we're facing, and keep workers employed as much as possible.
I fought to ensure a massive surge of funding — a Marshall Plan — for our hospitals and health care system, including critical provisions to support nurses.
This bill includes funding to support child care assistance for front line medical staff, first responders, sanitation workers and other essential workers; funding for affordable housing and homelessness assistance; and funding for schools and colleges to keep our students learning safely.
Most working and middle-class families will receive a check for $1200 per adult and $500 per child in the next few weeks. It's not enough, but it's a start. Individuals who receive unemployment benefits will see a boost of $600/week above current benefit levels, and it will include self-employed workers, contractors, and gig workers as well.
And we've established critical oversight to ensure that when funds are made available to major corporations, the American people can know where the money is going and what it's intended to do. Businesses that accept federal loans must protect their workers and may not engage in stock buybacks.
On a personal level, thank you for the many notes expressing concern about my well being. In the Senate, almost all of our staff is on a work-from-home status. Like many of you, we're mostly communicating through email, phone calls, and video calls. We're minimizing votes on the floor, and when we do vote, we walk in and walk out — keeping a safe distance from each other. I feel healthy and strong.
Things look pretty dark, but we're going to get through this. We'll do what it takes to stop the spread of the coronavirus and we'll do everything we can to rebuild our economy and protect families.
Onward.
– Jeff
DPO Chair KC Hanson: Working together in these trying times
March 18, 2020
These are unprecedented and difficult times.
Oregonians are understandably worried — about their health, about their families, about their livelihoods, and about the growing impact of COVID-19 on our way of life.
There's an incredible amount of uncertainty right now, but it's important that we work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and act in solidarity with one another to protect those most vulnerable.
Here at the Democratic Party of Oregon, the health, safety, and well being of our staff, volunteers, and organizers are a top priority. We've asked our team to work from home whenever possible, and our office is operating on very limited hours.
We hope that you and your loved ones are also taking the necessary precautions to help keep yourselves and those in your community safe from the spread of the virus.
Steps like frequently washing your hands, practicing social distancing, staying home if and when you are able, and following the recommendations of trusted public health professionals.
Even if you're not in a higher-risk group, we all have a responsibility to act to protect and support one another.
Here are some resources you might find helpful:
From all of us at the Democratic Party of Oregon, please stay healthy and safe.
KC Hanson
Chair
Democratic Party of Oregon
These are unprecedented and difficult times.
Oregonians are understandably worried — about their health, about their families, about their livelihoods, and about the growing impact of COVID-19 on our way of life.
There's an incredible amount of uncertainty right now, but it's important that we work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and act in solidarity with one another to protect those most vulnerable.
Here at the Democratic Party of Oregon, the health, safety, and well being of our staff, volunteers, and organizers are a top priority. We've asked our team to work from home whenever possible, and our office is operating on very limited hours.
We hope that you and your loved ones are also taking the necessary precautions to help keep yourselves and those in your community safe from the spread of the virus.
Steps like frequently washing your hands, practicing social distancing, staying home if and when you are able, and following the recommendations of trusted public health professionals.
Even if you're not in a higher-risk group, we all have a responsibility to act to protect and support one another.
Here are some resources you might find helpful:
- The State of Oregon's COVID-19 page
- The Oregon Health Authority's COVID-19 page
- Information from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
- The World Health Organization's COVID-19 page
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 page
- And remember, you can call, text, or email 211 for questions about COVID-19 or referrals to programs for food, shelter, health care and more.
From all of us at the Democratic Party of Oregon, please stay healthy and safe.
KC Hanson
Chair
Democratic Party of Oregon
Linn Dems Chair Jerred Taylor addresses COVID-19 outbreak
March 12, 2020
Hello friends,
I wanted to take some time to talk about the COVID-19 outbreak in Linn County, and our role as we enter the heart of the 2020 election season.
Last night, the Democratic Party of Oregon State Central Committee voted overwhelmingly to cancel the 1st Quarter SCC, and I fully supported that decision and I had submitted my SCC Alternate vote as such. A few hours later, Governor Kate Brown took steps to limit exposure by cancelling large events for four weeks to limit community spread. Shortly after that, Linn County had reports of it's first two confirmed cases in Lebanon at the Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home. This is escalating rapidly, and we need to determine how we can continue to be an inclusive, accessible and effective party though this outbreak.
Out of concern for the health and well-being of our members, we will be cancelling our April 2nd Linn County Democrats Central Committee Meeting. This is not a decision that I take lightly, as we have several important decisions to make as a party over the coming months.
I will be calling an emergency meeting of the Rules Committee to establish a framework for alternative meeting methods such as web-based or phone-based meetings, or mail-in ballots to allow Precinct Committee Persons to vote on important issues. Admittedly, I have been resistant to this; I know a chunk of our Precinct Committee Persons may have difficulty with reliable internet or phone service, but we must be able to make decisions as a body even if we cannot meet in person to do so. If you are not on the Rules Committee and would like to be a part of this project, please contact me by phone or by e-mail using the information below.
Knowing that community spread is here in Linn County, how we reach out to voters must also adapt. I have requested that our Organization, Campaign and Communications Committee Chairs and our Neighborhood Leader Coordinators, in collaboration with the Democratic Party of Oregon, develop a set of best practices for voter outreach and engagement in a mail, phone and social media environment. These Committee Chairs and our Neighborhood Leader Coordinators have a great wealth of experience and I have full faith in their abilities.
Lastly, this situation is evolving rapidly, so please be aware that what is done today may be obsolete tomorrow. We must all remain focused and attentive to the needs of our community and our membership. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you all for your continued hard work and dedication.
In solidarity,
Jerred Taylor
Chair, Linn County Democratic Central Committee
Resources:
Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Page
Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Page
Hello friends,
I wanted to take some time to talk about the COVID-19 outbreak in Linn County, and our role as we enter the heart of the 2020 election season.
Last night, the Democratic Party of Oregon State Central Committee voted overwhelmingly to cancel the 1st Quarter SCC, and I fully supported that decision and I had submitted my SCC Alternate vote as such. A few hours later, Governor Kate Brown took steps to limit exposure by cancelling large events for four weeks to limit community spread. Shortly after that, Linn County had reports of it's first two confirmed cases in Lebanon at the Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home. This is escalating rapidly, and we need to determine how we can continue to be an inclusive, accessible and effective party though this outbreak.
Out of concern for the health and well-being of our members, we will be cancelling our April 2nd Linn County Democrats Central Committee Meeting. This is not a decision that I take lightly, as we have several important decisions to make as a party over the coming months.
I will be calling an emergency meeting of the Rules Committee to establish a framework for alternative meeting methods such as web-based or phone-based meetings, or mail-in ballots to allow Precinct Committee Persons to vote on important issues. Admittedly, I have been resistant to this; I know a chunk of our Precinct Committee Persons may have difficulty with reliable internet or phone service, but we must be able to make decisions as a body even if we cannot meet in person to do so. If you are not on the Rules Committee and would like to be a part of this project, please contact me by phone or by e-mail using the information below.
Knowing that community spread is here in Linn County, how we reach out to voters must also adapt. I have requested that our Organization, Campaign and Communications Committee Chairs and our Neighborhood Leader Coordinators, in collaboration with the Democratic Party of Oregon, develop a set of best practices for voter outreach and engagement in a mail, phone and social media environment. These Committee Chairs and our Neighborhood Leader Coordinators have a great wealth of experience and I have full faith in their abilities.
Lastly, this situation is evolving rapidly, so please be aware that what is done today may be obsolete tomorrow. We must all remain focused and attentive to the needs of our community and our membership. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you all for your continued hard work and dedication.
In solidarity,
Jerred Taylor
Chair, Linn County Democratic Central Committee
Resources:
Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Page
Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Page
About the Linn County Democratic Central Committee
The Linn County Democratic Central Committee (LCDCC) welcomes all Democrats and non-affiliated voters. We’re an all-volunteer organization that works hard to elect Democrats to represent the people of Linn County at local, state and national levels. Our meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of the month.
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