News from the Board the week of  Jan. 10, 2022

January 15, 2022

A snapshot of County Commissioner activities and appearances this week

Jobs with Justice Workers Rights Zoom meeting this week.

Commissioner Susheela Jayapal

This week, Commissioner Jayapal was involved in several important discussions on workers’ rights, sex trafficking, and clean air.  At Portland Jobs With Justice’s Workers’ Rights board meeting last weekend, members received an update on efforts to support workers in organizing for better pay and working conditions. On Tuesday, the Commissioner chaired a meeting of the Multnomah County Sex Trafficking Collaborative’s Executive Committee, at which members discussed a restructuring of County committees to better center the voices of survivors in all aspects of work, ranging from policy creation to program implementation. The Commissioner has partnered with the County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Office to lead this work.  The Commissioner also received a briefing on the City of Portland’s Clean Air Protection Program proposal; attended a meeting of the Portland Metro Workforce Development Board, on which she serves; and, along with commissioners from six counties, participated in the appointment process for Senate District 16, a position left open by the resignation of Senator Betsy Johnson. 

Commissioner Sharon Meieran

This week, Commissioner Meieran met with representatives of AGE+ who are working on a comprehensive plan on aging. AGE+ raised the need for greater support for adults 65 and older – the fastest growing segment of the population. To help AGE+ in developing their plan, please take a moment to complete this survey, and share with your friends, families and other networks.  Commissioner Meieran also met with the COVID-19 Equity Committee in response to concerns they shared in a letter to County leadership related to inequities impacting the diverse employee group. To celebrate the life, work, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Commissioner Meieran is attending the Shabbat Service hosted virtually by Beth Israel on Jan. 14 and will attend the virtual 36th Annual Skanner Breakfast on Jan. 17. On Jan. 20, from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm, Commissioner Meieran is hosting her monthly virtual constituent office hours. The office hours are open to anyone, community members can sign up to receive the zoom link here.

Commissioner Vega Pederson at the Jan. 13 Board meeting.

Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson

Commissioner Vega Pederson continued her meetings with those who work on gun violence prevention this week, meeting with Nike Greene, the director of Portland’s Office of Violence Prevention. Last week she had conversations on this topic with Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, District Attorney Mike Schmidt, and Portland Community Safety Transition Director Mike Myers. She also met with Justice Rajee, executive director of Reimagine Oregon. She then held several meetings on transportation, including with the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project team, a project she co-chairs, and the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Urban Mobility Office, on the Rose Quarter Project. Commissioner Vega Pederson is also attending the Shabbat Service hosted virtually by Beth Israel on Jan. 14 and the virtual 36th Annual Skanner Breakfast on Jan. 17.

Commissioner Stegmann watches violinists Paul and Tom Lee during a proclamation honoring Korean Americans.

Commissioner Stegmann, right, with presenters at the Korean American Day proclamation.

Commissioner Lori Stegmann

Commissioner Stegmann was honored this week to celebrate the many contributions made by Korean Americans throughout our vibrant community.  She was joined by special guests as the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing Jan. 13, 2022 as Korean American Day in Multnomah County.  Wednesday evening, she joined Metro Councilor Shirley Craddick and JOHS DIrector Mark Jolin at the Gresham Butte Neighborhood Association to discuss the County’s investments in homeless services. The Commissioner also received a briefing on the City of Portland’s Clean Air Protection Program, met with Flavors Hook Oregon Kids to discuss the impacts of flavored tobacco products on our youth, and together with County Commissioners from six counties, appointed Rachel Armitage to Senate District 16.