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Oregon Trails
An Occasional Newsletter
from
The Association of Oregon Counties
Month, Year - Vol 1, Issue 1 |
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Summer Officially Over
We go through this election stuff every two years
October 10, 2012 |
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The seasons have changed once again and while we watch the colors turn and get used to the lawn si gns, billboards and broadcast ads, the work of Oregon's counties continues, as does the work of the Association of Oregon Counties.
District meetings have been and are being held across the state. So far, the district meetings have been well attended and there has been a lot of great discussion.
The AOC Legislative Committee has now approved legislative priorities from nearly all AOC steering committees. Final approval of AOC's legislative agenda will take place during the business meeting at the annual conference which begins November 13th in Eugene. If you haven't registered for conference, it's not too late. Visit the AOC Website for complete registration and program information.
The Oregon Legislature managed a few days in Salem in September for informational hearings and some formal business. Lawmakers come back in December to wrap up the work of this legislature. A brand new one begins in January, going into full session in February and hopefully getting out by the end of June. It will be an extremely busy session and Oregon counties will be at the center of much of the activity.
So lace up your boots, tie your running shoes, get the rain gear ready. 2012 is on its way out and 2013 is staring us in the face. If you have any questions about anything in Oregon Trails, please don't hesitate to contact the AOC Communications Team.
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| Share Success: Creating Connections in Shared Services | |
If you haven't already registered for the AOC annual conference November 13-15 at the Hilton Eugene you may do so now at aocweb.org.
The hotel room block at the Hilton closes on October 22; act now to ensure you get the special conference rate, which includes parking and Internet access!
The conference schedule is also posted on the AOC Website.
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| Federal Forest Policy Activity in 2013 | |
The AOC Forest Management Subcommittee, with a Board of Directors and budget, has served as the Oregon counties' spearhead for successive campaigns to reauthorize federal forest payments under the Secure Rural Schools Act. Following adoption by AOC of a resolution addressed to the Oregon Congressional Delegation, which called on Congress for further federal forest payments only as part of legislation to permit active federal forest management, the Subcommittee Board determined its work plan for 2013.
- The proposed Subcommittee budget for 2013, to this point called a "placeholder," is a placeholder no more. It will be proposed for adoption by the AOC membership at the Annual Conference as is. That is, with a modest dues amount of $100,000, the same as the 2012 budget. To complete its work in 2013, the Subcommittee may have to draw on budget reserves.
- AOC will work to shore up a depleted National Forest Counties & Schools Coalition, which has been the national face of successful federal forest payments campaigns. As a proven brand in Washington, D.C., the NFC&SC can operate independently of other campaigns on forest management legislation.
- AOC will continue work with the Federal Forest Resource Coalition to identify potential elements of a congressional bill that will address federal forest management in a manner that gains wide enough support of the spectrum of interests to have a decent chance of passage. The goal is to have one bill to support.
- AOC will continue its strategic partnership with the National Association of Counties, which has clear direction in its platform to engage in federal forest management policy solutions. Included in this is the campaign to elect Commissioner Tim Josi as NACo 2nd Vice President in 2013. NACo/AOC and the NFC&SC can provide the public face of a campaign on an appropriate bill.
- AOC will also ensure that a campaign and the proposed legislation are compatible with the related process in Oregon to develop legislation on governance of O&C forestlands.
- The Federal Forest Resource Coalition is considering funding its campaign through the Campaign for Rural America, the entity that led the successful reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools Act this year. The campaign work supported by the Subcommittee budget would be independent of, but complimentary to, the CFRA.
The Subcommittee will be flexible in 2013 within its budget resources to adjust this work plan as needed. The outcome of elections in November will be significant. Nevertheless, the Subcommittee looks toward the new year with optimism.
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Secretary of State Releases Updated Political Campaigning Manual | |
Just in time for campaign season, the Secretary of State's office has updated "Restrictions on Political Campaigning by Public Employees," a manual that interprets ORS 260.432, the statute that governs public employees and their actions related to political campaigns. This manual has been adopted as a "temporary rule" and later this fall a Rules Advisory Committee will continue looking at revisions in order to adopt a permanent rule by the end of the year. The manual contains useful advice and provides examples of allowable and restricted activities.
Please contact Mike Eliason at AOC if you have any questions.
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| Industrial Lands | |
A consortium including the Portland Business Alliance, Metro, Port of Portland, Business Oregon, and the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (Oregon Chapter) presented its Portland Metro Regional Industrial Land Study before the House Transportation and Economic Development Committee on September 12, 2012 and invited regional leaders to a Forum on October 3, 2012.
They reviewed 12 study sites where the potential benefits to their development could be 12,500 direct jobs yielding property taxes of $217 million. Their study results showed:
- Limited market-ready sites in the Metro urban growth boundary
- Shortage of larger sites for game changer investments
- Multiple site pipeline constraints
- Significant economic state revenue impact potential from site readiness investments
The major constraints were:
- Extension of off-site public utilities
- Transportation infrastructure
- Site aggregation
- Time to establish infrastructure approaching 24-36 months
- Lack of knowledge about cost and value
The study noted that "the sites with critical infrastructure deficiencies are not likely to attract large firms if investment is left solely to the private market or delayed until a business willing to commit to a site is found."
The consortium is proposing a forgivable loan program, pre-investment agreements, small grants to local sponsors, inventory, and closing the "knowledge gap."
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| Columbia River Crossing | |
Patricia McCaig (Columbia River Crossing) and Matt Garrett, Director, ODOT testified before the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Columbia River Crossing. They submitted a list of responses to questions dealing with the project costs, funding and phasing, conditions precedent to Oregon's commitment, and project management.
They stressed there is a limited window of opportunity to secure federal funding which could pay for about one-third of the estimated $3.5 billion total cost. Tolling revenues would pay for another third while the final third would be split evenly between the states of Oregon and Washington. Legislators peppered them with questions about funding as well as the height and complexity of the bridge. The discussion is building toward key decisions by the Oregon and Washington legislatures in 2013 regarding a funding package.
On September 19, a joint meeting of the Oregon and Washington Transportation Commissions was held in Pendleton to deliberate on tolling governance and strategies for the Columbia River Crossing. The Commissioners decided to have a joint subcommittee to work out the details of a tolling governance agreement that would be acted on by the end of 2012 in time for the upcoming legislative sessions in each respective state. Tolling is a complex undertaking given the involvement of two states and the need to provide the necessary assurances for a successful bond sale.
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| AOC Veterans Services Subcommittee | |
The AOC Human Services Committee recently formed the Veterans Services Subcommittee. Meetings of the new subcommittee have been held in September and October, and the subcommittee will continue to meet monthly, through June of 2013.
Chaired by Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel, the mission of the subcommittee is to acknowledge and advocate for veterans in the State of Oregon. Further, the subcommittee strives to strengthen county veterans services and remove barriers that may prevent veterans from obtaining necessary employment, health care, education and other benefits for themselves and their families.
Future meetings of the subcommittee will take place as follows:
In Portland for Remainder of 2012 (Location: Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Hawthorne)
- November 6
- December 4
- January 8
In Salem for 2013 (Location: Local Government Center, 1201 Court Street NE)
- February 5
- March 5
- April 2
- May 7
- June 4
For additional information, or if you wish to become a member of this subcommittee please contact Andy Smith, 971-322-8512.
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| Early Learning Council | |
Recently submitted reports on early childhood are now available on the Early Learning Council Website. These reports include:
HB 4165 Joint Workgroup report on "Recommendations to Better Coordinate and Improve Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education Services
The Comprehensive Children's Budget
Early Learning Council Survey Report: Availability, Functions and Resources of Persons Who Act as Family Resource Manager
If you have any questions regarding Early Learning programs, the development of your local hub or the transition from local commissions to local hubs, please contact AOC staff Mark Nystrom.
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| Foreclosure Assistance | |
Oregon Housing and Community Services has been working on a number of foreclosure assistance measures. All can be found on their recently-launched Website, OregonHomeownerSupport. Check it out! And share with those who are in need.
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| Commissioner Jay Dixon Appointed to Youth Council | |
Governor Kitzhaber announced the appointment of Benton County Commissioner Jay Dixon as Vice Chair of the Oregon Youth Development Council. The Council's purpose is to assist the Oregon Education Investment Board in overseeing a seamless education system that supports academic success and reduces criminal involvement in an integrated, measurable and accountable way.
"Investing appropriately in the development of our youth is among the most significant ways we can improve society both now and for the next generations," Dixon said.
Congratulations Commissioner Dixon!
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| Woman of the Year! |
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Jane O'Keeffe accepts her award from Governor Kitzhaber |
Former Lake County Commissioner and past AOC President Jane O'Keeffe is one of four 2012 Oregon Women of Achievement! The award is bestowed by the Oregon Commission for Women (OCFW). Governor Kitzhaber honored Ms. O'Keeffe at a Capitol ceremony this week.
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OCFW Commissioner Jeanne Burch with Jane O'Keeffe |
Ms. O'Keeffe was nominated for the award by OCFW Commissioner and
Wheeler County Judge Jeanne Burch. The award citation read "Jane O'Keeffe is a fourth generation rancher and was instrumental in founding the Lakeview Stewardship Group, which brought together Lake County's timber industry, residents, environmentalists, scientists and the U.S. Forest Service officials to create sustainable forest ecosystem management."
Visit the OCFW website for more on this year's honorees. Congratulations Jane!
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Energy Incentives Program |
The Energy Incentives Program announces today the opening of a new tax credit incentive competition. This tax credit competition for energy conservation includes conservation projects affecting Commercial, Agricultural, and Industrial Processes (CAIP). The opportunity announcement and application forms are being posted on the Business Energy Incentives Website.
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Upcoming Trainings, Workshops, Conferences | |
Oregon Economic Development Association Annual Conference
October 14-16, 2012
Wildhorse Resort & Casino
Pendleton
Oregon Coastal Management Program/Oregon Sea Grant
Workshop on sea-level hazards: including rise, storm surge and tsunamis
Octobr 24, 2012, Coos Bay, location to be announced soon
Octobr 29, Tillamook, location to be announced soon
For more information contact Jeff Weber or Patrick Corcoran
Green Transportation Conference II
October 24, 2012
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
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The messengers for this newsletter as always, Laura Cleland and Eric Schmidt. Feel free to contact them if you have an item of interest for Oregon Trails.
Have a great weekend!
Laura Cleland & Eric Schmidt
Association of Oregon Counties
503-585-8351
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