The even-numbered short legislative session convened Monday, February 5th with the annual "State of the State" address from Governor Kate Brown, followed by committees convening for their initial meetings. The short session is always a sprint and this one is proving to be no exception. The first week has seen hearings on weighty issues  ...»
Policy Updates
Transportation and Community Development Committee Update
The AOC Transportation and Community Development Committee held its monthly meeting on Monday February 12th, with the main topic not surprisingly being the first week of the legislative session. Major topics discussed included a heated debate around the Cap  ...»

71 Units of New Veterans Housing are Being Launched for Clackamas, Coos, Klamath and Multnomah Counties. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has announced the award of $8,881,188 to fund the development of 71 new affordable homes for Oregon  ...»

The Health and Human Services Steering Committee and Veterans Steering Committee reviewed a variety of bills on Monday, February 12th. Highlights included bills on behavioral health, developmental disability, mental health, public health, housing and veterans ...»

Lane County Commissioner Sid Leiken and Lincoln County Commissioner Terry Thompson joined Doris Penwell in explaining how counties used video lottery funds for economic development. AOC has a bill (House Bill 4069) sponsored by Senator Hansell and  ...»

Oregon has a digital equity problem. Access to high quality, cost effective broadband is dependent on where you live-particularly in rural Oregon. A recent study by Education Superhighway, found that over 300 K-12 schools in Oregon-nearly 25  ...»
News
Deschutes County Examines Medical Marijuana Challenges

Clackamas County Judges Rule Law Reducing Some Property Crime Sentences Unconstitutional

Rural Oregonians Weigh in on Need for Broadband
For a complete list of news and information visit oregoncounties.org
Events
AOC Logo Vertica Transparent
AOC Day
March 12, 2018 | 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Salem, Oregon

For a complete list of events visit oregoncounties.org
NACo News
FCC's Intergovernmental Advisory Committee is doubling to 30 members, wants local government officials for two-year terms. Inform NACo of interest by March 5 of your interest. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a public notice seeking  ...»
Slow-Moving Landslide Gives Yakima County, Wash. Time to Plan
Major Meeting Explores Transportation's Economic Impact
Counties Respond to President Trump's Infrastructure Plan
President Signs Massive Two-Year Budget Agreement
Report: NACo releases joint report on the importance of the Social Services Block Grant 
For more information on NACo news visit naco.org
Partner Spotlight
Building code and other government officials in Oregon have a chance to positively influence the national building code process to make it easier to use advanced wood products, but they'll have to act quickly. Most readers have probably heard about cross laminated timber (CLT) and the push to see more buildings  ...»
We all know that classroom training is just one of the ways we learn. In this edition of the CIS Quarterly Report, you'll get a preview of our HR Roundtables, a new opportunity for human resource and employment law training. These regional meetings bring members together with their peers and the H2R/Pre-Loss staff to tackle  ...»
Employment Announcements
Communications Dispatcher 1 (Clackamas County)
Senior Criminal Justice Technology Systems Specialist (Clackamas County)
Senior Planner - Transportation Planning (Washington County)
Survey Supervisor (Washington County)
.Net Web Developer (Association of Oregon Counties)
County Road Program Analyst (Association of Oregon Counties)
Database Developer (Association of Oregon Counties)
For a complete list of openings visit oregoncounties.org
The Last Word
Q: What did the paper clip say to the magnet? A: I find you very attractive

And, a s always, please feel free to submit your story ideas, announcements, recipes, events, photos and job changes to your  Oregon  Trails  staff for inclusion in the next riveting edition. 
 
Your  Oregon Trails staff,
 
Laura Cleland & Mckenzie Farrell
Association of  Oregon  Counties

Representing Oregon counties since 1906, the Association of Oregon Counties unites counties to advocate, communicate, and educate through information sharing and consensus development.