Day: March 23, 2021

Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to County Risk Level

Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown today announced updates to county risk levels under the state’s public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

Effective March 26 through April 8, there will be two counties in the Extreme Risk level, six at High Risk, 14 at Moderate Risk, and 14 at Lower Risk. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here.

Lincoln County will move from ‘Lower Risk’ to ‘Moderate Risk’ Effective March 26 – April 8

You can review the Activity Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart here.

Governor Kate Brown Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff to Honor the Victims of the Tragedy in Boulder, Colorado

March 23, 2021

Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown today ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff until sunset, March 27, 2021, to honor and remember the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 22 in Boulder, Colorado.

“Oregon stands with Colorado following this horrific tragedy,” said Governor Brown. “Dan and I send our condolences to the families and friends of the ten individuals who lost their lives. Together we mourn this tremendous loss, and we stand in solidarity with those fighting against unspeakable and senseless acts of violence.”

The full Presidential Proclamation is available at the White House’s website

Original article – State of Oregon Newsroom

Governor Kate Brown Announces 10-Point Economic Recovery Plan to Help Oregon Families and Businesses

Plan maximizes immediate impact for Oregonians, equitably invests resources to address disproportionate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on BIPOC communities. Action plan and investment principles to guide decisions related to American Rescue Plan funds. Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown today released a 10-Point Economic Recovery Plan for Oregon. The 10-Point Plan, which was developed with input from the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and Racial Justice Council (RJC), builds on the work of local economic development districts across the state to help Oregon families and businesses. It provides a framework for economic recovery related to COVID-19 and wildfires, with a specific focus on strategically supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.

The Governor also outlined her principles for the use of federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources, to guide state agencies and local governments in making investments that will maximize immediate benefits for Oregonians in an equitable way.

[Lincoln City will receive $1.87 million and Lincoln County will receive $9.69 million from ARP]

“Thanks in part to the passage of the American Rescue Plan, Oregon’s outlook for a rapid economic recovery is strong, if we act quickly to get relief to Oregonians,” said Governor Brown. “We have the opportunity now to lift up Oregon families and businesses, by immediately investing state and federal resources to help them recover from the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We must do so by creating a more just and equitable Oregon, helping the communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and wildfires. By rooting our recovery efforts in equity, we can support economic growth for Oregon’s Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Tribal communities.

“My 10-Point Plan provides a roadmap for economic recovery, and will guide our state and local governments as we invest our shares of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan. Aligning programs and activities funded through these dollars will help ensure we are coordinating, not duplicating efforts, and collaborating on what will make a difference in our economies.”

Between state and local governments, Oregon is slated to receive approximately $6.4 billion in federal funds from the ARP. The Governor also laid out her principles for making investment decisions with AR… investments should be made now in a way that maximizes economic recovery efforts for Oregonians this year, while also addressing the existing disparities that were exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly for women and BIPOC communities.

“Oregon businesses have worked throughout the pandemic to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We are pleased with the direction Governor Brown is taking with this plan to immediately invest state and federal resources towards shared prosperity and a robust recovery,” said Joth Ricci, CEO and President of Dutch Bros and Chair of the Oregon Business Plan Steering Committee. “Oregon businesses need both short-term relief and long-term investments like those in the Governor’s plan to help get our state back on its feet and thriving.”

“Without prioritizing equity we can not have social and racial justice,” said Jan Mason, co-chair of the Community Chamber Coalition of Oregon. “I support the Governor Brown priority in grounding and leading with racial equity and justice. We simply cannot achieve economic justice and prosperity without these priorities.”

The Governor applies these principles for equitable and rapid economic recovery in her 10-Point Plan:
• Action #1: Investing in Oregon’s hardest hit workers (those currently unemployed or underemployed)
• Action #2: Reinvesting in innovative housing
• Action #3: Supporting resilient rural communities
• Action #4: Supporting Oregon’s workforce (those currently employed but struggling)
• Action #5: Creating opportunities for Oregonians (workforce development)
• Action #6: Getting small business back on its feet
• Action #7: Investing in Oregon’s infrastructure
• Action #8: Oregonians investing in Oregon
• Action #9: Safely reopening Oregon’s economy
• Action #10: Innovation in manufacturing

Additional details on Governor Brown’s 10-Point Plan are available here.

These principles and 10-Point Plan are a starting point for conversations with the legislature, community stakeholders, the RJC, and the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors to develop a process for funding decisions related to ARP dollars. More information will be provided as decisions are made.

A breakdown of ARP allocations is available here.

Original News Bulletin located here.