Friday, Oct. 8, 2021
null
News & Notes
Congressman Kurt Schrader joins WEA for its next Virtual Forum
   Registration is open for WEA's next Virtual Forum, featuring Congressman Kurt Schrader.
   Schrader is working on infrastructure funding and has been talking about policies to cut medication costs for patients.
   He will also share his insight into the policy making climate in Washington, D.C.
   The Congressman will be speaking about this and more when he joins WEA during its Monday, October 25 Virtual Forum.
   If you are interested in sponsorship of this event, contact Gail Greenman.
   To register, visit the WEA website.
Latest local numbers continue to show a dip in unemployment rates
   The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its latest report on employment today, and it shows the nation gained 194,000 jobs in September, but that is still down 5 million from the beginning of the pandemic.
   Locally, the latest employment data shows Washington County's unemployment rate is half of what it was a year ago.
   Workforce Analyst Brandon Schrader reports the unemployment rate for Washington County was 4.2% in August - 12 months before it was 8.6%.
   For Clackamas County, Workforce Analyst Lynn Wallis reports the August unemployment rate as being 4.9%.
   According to the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, Oregon is on track to get back to its full pre-pandemic employment level by Summer of 2022.
   To read more turn to Schrader's report for Washington County and/or Wallis' for Clackamas County.
Odds & Ends
  • In his October 5 blog, Economist Josh Lehner takes a look at the good and bad of the current supply chain status. According to Lehner, the situation is improving, but it's a long way from normal.

  • It's not on the Westside, but it will affect the weekend commute for anyone traveling east. I-84 will be closed between I-5 and I-205 starting at 10pm tonight to allow for the installation of the Earl Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge over the freeway. For more information turn to ODOT's website.

  • Wilsonville is looking for volunteers to serve on its boards and commissions. These are groups that advise and provide oversight of the city's programs. 

  • If you know someone looking for a COVID vaccine, PCC and Virginia Garcia have partnered with TriMet to host vaccine clinics at the Willow Creek Park and Ride. One is happening today until 4pm. The other two are on Tuesday (Oct. 12) and Thursday (Oct. 14) from 1pm - 6pm.

  • How cool is this? CTE students and staff at Sunset High School appear to have found a small solution to an HVAC problem, possibly saving the Beaverton School District up to a million dollars. Learn more from KATU.
Events coming up
Mon. 10/11 - the WEA laptops will be closed in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Tue. 10/12 at 4:30 p.m. - The Golf/Fundraising Committee will meet for its post tournament wrap up. For more information, contact Teresa Dunham.

Wed. 10/13 at 7:30 a.m. - The Transportation Committee will meet virtually with Washington County's Stephen Roberts and Chris Deffebach to talk about the MSTIP. All members are welcome to attend. For more information, contact KC Reinhart.

Wed. 10/20 at 12:00 p.m. - The Land Use & Housing Committee will meet virtually. All members are welcome to attend.

Mon. 10/25 at 8:00 a.m. - A Virtual Forum with Congressman Kurt Schrader. To register

Wed. 10/27 at 7:30 a.m. - The WEA Board of Directors will meet virtually.