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 Oregon Trails
An Occasional Newsletter
from
The Association of Oregon Counties |
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Moving Quickly
by legislative standards at any rate
February 18, 2011 |
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| Week Three...Rolling Along |
Salem - Several lobbyists, both from the non-profit sector and the corporate world, have noted in passing how fast this session of the Oregon Legislature seems to be going. One lobbyist said she needed roller skates to keep up. The deadline for introducing new bills has come and gone. House and Senate committees seem to be reasonably busy, in public. Behind the scenes, the give and take continues. The co-chair system for House committees is generating some interesting dynamics, but almost all legislators agree that nothing will emerge from this session without true bi-partisan action.This may be one for the history books. |
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| Economic Forecast - Flat | |
The state economist issued the revenue forecast this week. Former state economist Ann Hanus, who now toils as an AOC policy manager, has given us all her expert analysis. It is a must read. The Governor has asked legislative budget committees to use the forecast for the next biennial budget.
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| Lawyer's Fees |
AOC expressed opposition to the passage of House Bill 2181 at a hearing on Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee. HB 2181 would amend provisions related to the awarding of attorney fees and expenses on appeals at the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).
The bill would delete the discretion of LUBA to award attorney fees and expenses to the prevailing party if LUBA finds the appeal was without probable cause to believe the position was well-founded in law or on factually supported information. The bill would substitute a requirement that attorney fees and expenses be awarded if the prevailing party was the applicant before the local government. As written, HB 2181 would have a chilling effect on land use planning, the consideration of land use permits, citizen participation and a potential fiscal impact on local government.
For more information, contact Art Schlack at AOC - 503-585-8351.
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| Energy Siting |
The members of the House Transportation and Economic Development Committee have been told that AOC opposes the passage of House Bill 2208. The bill, if passed, would significantly impact county land use authority for the siting of energy facilities, impose delays and increase fiscal impacts for consideration of new facilities.
Oregon statutes and administrative rules clearly provide for state and county review of energy projects. The siting of energy projects is clearly a land use matter. The shared authority and responsibility between the state and local government for the siting of energy facilities is working. Counties and The Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) have established a good working relationship and continue to work together to address the siting of energy facilities in Oregon.
In the fall of 2008, the Association of Oregon Counties established a Wind Energy Task Force charged with reviewing issues related to the siting of wind energy facilities and providing recommendations for the review and processing of conditional use permit applications. The December 2009 Task Force Report provides a set of guidelines for counties to utilize in the processing of wind energy conditional use permit applications. Oregon counties are deeply involved in this issue.
For more information, contact Art Schlack AOC - 503-585-8351
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| Forest Grants |
Governor Kitzhaber has announced the Forest Products Energy Project, a grant opportunity to spur Oregon's emerging biomass energy industry. Existing local forest product companies in Oregon can compete for these grants to evaluate the feasibility of using biomass for renewable energy production in Oregon's forest products industry.
The ODOE contact is Matt Krumenauer.
You can also contact AOC's Emily Ackland - 503-585-8351
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| Weekly Secure Rural Schools Update | |
The good news about the effort to reauthorize Secure Rural Schools is that a five-year reauthorization has been included in the President's proposed FY 2012 budget. However, the first-year funding level identified in the budget is roughly what Oregon counties will receive in the last year of the current reauthorization, and it goes downhill from there.
The Partnership for Rural America Campaign continues to work tirelessly on getting a long-term reauthorization through Congress. Campaign Coordinator Marc Kelley appeared before the AOC Legislative Committee Monday for a thorough briefing on the campaign's activities past, present and future. Needless to say, much work remains to be done.
Congress has gone home for a week, beginning today (Friday). If you happen to run into one of our Congressional representatives, take the time to mention just how important a long-term reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools is to Oregon and your county.
Oregon commissioners attending the NACo Legislative Conference will have an opportunity to meet with the Oregon Congressional delegation in Washington, DC on March 3rd for additional updates on Congressional efforts. The Campaign is holding a Fly-In on March 8th to work with other state delegations to lobby for the reauthorization with other state congressional offices.
For more information, please feel free to contact Eric Schmidt or Laura Cleland at AOC about the Campaign. Cara Fischer can help answer your questions about the NACo Conference.
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| County College Class | |
The second session of this year's County College program is underway in Salem. The class - engaged, active and of course, opinionated - heard from Tom Corr, Linn County Counsel on
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parliamentary procedure, Linn County Treasurer Michelle Hawkins and Marion County Treasurer Laurie Steele on the county treasurer's office and Friday afternoon, a trio of County Administrators made an incredible presentation on the art and science of budgeting.Thanks to Ralph Wyatt, Linn County, Danny Jordan, Jackson County and John Latimer, Marion County.
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| Sheriff's Day at the Capitol |
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Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson and Umatilla County Sheriff John Trumbo |
The Oregon State Sheriffs' Association brought a host of Sheriff's and deputies to the state Capitol this week for an impressive display of information dissemination for lawmakers and the public. We found an east side sheriff and a west side sheriff willing to take a moment for a photo op.
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| So That's the Latest, At Least For Now | |
As always, we urge you to look for AOC bulletins and updates during the week. This is an incredibly busy and difficult time for Oregon counties and the action is fast and furious at the state level and the Congressional level.
If you have an item for this newsletter, please let us know. If you are going to be in Salem, let us know and we'll get your picture in the next edition.
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A Website for all seasons www.aocweb.org. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be informed.
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Laura Cleland
Association of Oregon Counties
503-585-8351
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