Jessica Vega Pederson
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jvegapederson.bsky.social
Jessica Vega Pederson
@jvegapederson.bsky.social
Multnomah County Chair. Former County Commissioner for District 3 and former Oregon State Representative. She/her.
Earlier this week, the @multco.bsky.social board sent a letter to the Oregon Public Utility Commission supporting an emergency winter moratorium on utility disconnections through at least April 1, 2026, ensuring households don’t lose their heat or power this winter.
November 22, 2025 at 2:08 AM
A new policy banning concealed guns in our public buildings took effect today. Introduced by @shannonsingleton.bsky.social & @juliabrim-edwards.bsky.social, unanimously approved by @multco.bsky.social board, & made possible by recent state law. Grateful to all involved in making these safer spaces.
These 33 Multnomah County buildings now ban concealed guns
People are now banned from carrying concealed firearms in county buildings.
www.oregonlive.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
🏳️‍⚧️November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance, honoring the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

This list focuses on non-fiction titles for adults and older teens. #TDOR #Booksky

multcolib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/114633184/2198080019
November 20, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
🚫 ICYMI: A gun safety ordinance relating to MultCo facilities was updated. An old exception that allowed people to carry a concealed weapon if they are licensed to do so into certain County buildings has been removed.

Visit multco.us/concealed-firearms-ordinance for list of relevant buildings
November 20, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Today we remember and honor the lives of transgender individuals who we have lost in targeted violence because of who they are.

Multnomah County is committed to supporting our transgender community, providing and funding services that treat each community member with dignity.
November 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Childcare is yet another rising cost for young families along with rising rents, utilities, groceries, and more.

Through Preschool for All we are providing some relief, with more than 3,800 tuition-free seats helping families across Multnomah County save thousands of dollars each year.
New in @thehill.com: In many cities, parents are paying more for child care than for rent.

Nationally, caring for an infant and a 4-year-old costs 31.5% more than a two-bedroom apartment.

This is a structural failure in how we think about, fund, and govern care. https://bit.ly/47KGD7i
Some parents paying more for child care than rent: Study
“Spending almost $1,300 a month on child care is a massive burden for parents,” said Lending Tree's Matt Schulz.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
BREAKING NEWS: We’ve secured a $7 million settlement holding the largest U.S. landlord accountable for a price fixing scheme – and putting a check on the rising cost of rentals.

#consumerprotection #orpol
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I support a City of Portland ordinance prohibiting raising rents through algorithm-driven price fixing services. Protecting tenants from rent increases that do not take into account local, individual needs is a policy we need to decrease evictions, safeguard tenants, and promote fair competition.
November 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Preschool for All has added 240 mid-year seats!

That’s brings the total number of tuition-free seats PFA is providing for families throughout MultCo to over 3,800 seats across more than 220 locations — exceeding this year’s goal by 27%.

We remain on track to reach universal coverage by 2030.
November 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
This Friday is Sellwood-Moreland Library's big day! We can't wait to see you at the reopening of our beloved library 💚 Visit our website to learn about the Refresh project and the exciting updates to Sellwood-Moreland Library!
https://multcolib.org/building-libraries-together/refresh-projects
November 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Multnomah County is committed to providing the highest level of service to help address the particular needs of veterans experiencing homelessness. This is a place for recovery that represents safety, stability, sobriety and hope for the participants it will serve.
NEWS RELEASE: Veterans Day celebration previews soon-to-open shelter for veterans in recovery in Portland
The Thayer Family Foundation Veterans Shelter will provide a 17-room recovery-focused shelter environment for veterans who are experiencing homelessness
multco.us
November 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The creation of housing is key to solving our homeless crisis and making life more affordable for everyone.

Multnomah County provides a continuum of services to move people from homelessness to a home of their own.

We don't build housing, an area where partnership with Portland is so important.
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
This morning, the president ordered states to not distribute full SNAP benefits for November, and demanded that states “undo” any benefits payments that have already been sent to working families for food.

Read our statement in response.
November 9, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
President Donald Trump was formally blocked from sending the National Guard to Portland by U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, who delivered her final order in the case Friday.
Federal judge prohibits Trump from deploying National Guard to Portland
The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut followed a three-day trial where local and federal law enforcement testified to their differing perceptions and responses to ongoing protests outside the federal immigration building in Portland.
www.opb.org
November 8, 2025 at 1:08 AM
As a result of a federal judge’s order, today Oregonians who receive SNAP food assistance have had 100% of their November benefits restored.

These benefits never should have been suspended. The Trump administration is appealing the order, and MultCo is joining the legal opposition to this appeal.
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
While we cannot possibly pick up the slack for the federal government, what we can do is convene, partner, and drive collective action to support our community — and we can make targeted, strategic investments in areas where our community needs it most.
Today the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $100,000 in contingency funding to help food security and hunger relief organizations purchase and distribute food amid delays in federal food assistance for tens of thousands of community members.
November 7, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Tomorrow I am introducing a budget ask for our board to allocate $100k in emergency contingency funding to support food security resources across Multnomah County.

With the Trump administration providing mixed messaging and the restoration of benefits remaining in limbo – we need to act now.
Portland-area governments mobilize to help families in need as federal SNAP benefits remain in limbo
Two local governments pledged to spend contingency funds Tuesday to help fill the gap.
www.oregonlive.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:45 AM
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! There are still a few hours left to participate in your local democracy.

We surveyed some of team JVP to make sure they voted.

You can return your ballot at an official ballot drop site by 8pm today: Tue, Nov. 4

Find the nearest drop site at: multco.us/dropsites
November 4, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
SHARE: Today, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, is the last day to vote in the Special Election. Multnomah County Elections recommends voters return their ballot to an Official Ballot Drop Site by 8 p.m. today, to ensure it’s received by an election office in time to count: multco.us/dropsites
November 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
📣 As community members feel the impacts of the federal shutdown and reduced funding for SNAP food benefits, you might be wondering how you can help. Monetary donations to food banks, pantries and community-based organizations are recommended and go a long way: multco.us/food
November 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
LAWSUIT UPDATE RE: NATIONAL GUARD IN PORTLAND: National Guard deployment remains paused until Friday; judge says deployment is likely unlawful.

Today's ruling is a step toward truth and accountability. Read more about what happened and what's next.
November 3, 2025 at 3:59 AM
My office receives hundreds of constituent emails every month on all sorts of topics, and we try our best to respond to each one.

This request all the way from Montenegro, however, really stood out, and I am so glad that we were able to help.

Anyone can contact my office at [email protected]
November 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Starting tomorrow, November 1, we may see an unprecedented and unconscionable loss of SNAP food benefits for nearly 757,000 Oregonians – over 143,000 of whom live here in Multnomah County.

@multco.bsky.social is working to meet the most immediate needs of those who rely on SNAP food assistance. ⤵️
Halting SNAP Food Assistance is Unprecedented and Unconscionable
mailchi.mp
November 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Jessica Vega Pederson
🌱 @multcosustain.bsky.social invites you to attend upcoming community forums on draft Climate Justice Plan goals. 🦋 Join in-person or via Zoom for the goal topics you are passionate about to have your voice heard. Help shape our community's climate justice future!

🌼Visit multco.us/info/climate...
October 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Starting now - a special Friday morning board meeting to discuss the federal halting of SNAP benefits, additional federal impacts locally, and potential actions @multco.bsky.social can take to help our community.
10.31.25 Special Meeting
YouTube video by MultCoBoard
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:39 PM