Policy Updates
The November 8 general election features a long list of candidates for a wide variety of federal, state, and local offices, as well as seven statewide ballot measures. In addition, there are 337 local ballot measures, 184 of which relate to marijuana.  Oregon's hard working County Clerks have been especially busy... read more
Diesel Emissions Reduction Workgroup Meets In Portland
A legislatively-driven workgroup, led by Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), met again on Wednesday October 19 at Metro Headquarters in Portland. The workgroup is charged with looking for options to help reduce the air quality impact from diesel engines, particularly in congested urban areas... read more
What's Ahead During the 2017 Legislative Session
To no one's surprise, October and early November will be a quiet time at the Capitol. It's called the General Election. But the AOC policy team has stayed in contact with legislative leadership and interim activities, and have a pretty good idea of what's coming. First is the election outcomes for legislative...  read more
BJA Launches Police-Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit at National Conference
The United States Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) launched an online toolkit Monday that supports law enforcement agencies around the country in planning and implementing effective public-safety responses to... read more
Housing Subcommittee Visits Lane County
Homelessness is an issue facing many of our communities. Lane County has taken an innovative approach to addressing the problem. In partnership with various local nonprofits and faith-based organizations, the county has supported the creation of "villages" and "rest stops" for individuals living on the street... read more
CLHO Hosts Meetings to Discuss Public Health Modernization
As part of their work under the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, the Coalition of Oregon Health Officials (CLHO) is hosting ten cross-jurisdictional meetings around the state to discuss Public Health Modernization with County Commissioners. The aim of these meetings is to go into more detail about the... r ead more
Rural Counties Host Opioid Summits
The Grants Pass City Council Chambers was filled last Monday as the White House Rural Development Council and US Department of Ag joined together to convene a discussion on the opioid epidemic in rural Oregon. Led by USDA Rural Development State Director, Vickie Walker, roundtable participants... read more
DEQ Announces New Initiative to Help Oregonians Afford Repairs to Failing Septic Systems
Finding out a septic system is failing can be costly for homeowners and small businesses. Starting today, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and regional nonprofit lender Craft3 are teaming up to make repairs more affordable for... read more
Link Between Legalized Marijuana and Fatal Crashes
The National Center for Rural Road Safety recently published an article that appears to show there is an uptick in fatal crashes when the driver has been using marijuana. With Washington state as a test bed,  recent research  from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that the percentage of drivers... read more
DEQ is proposing amendments to Clean Fuels Program
DEQ has begun a rulemaking to consider whether additional cost containment measures are needed and other improvements to Oregon's Clean Fuels Program.  In March 2015, Gov. Kate Brown signed SB 324 which removed the December 2015 sunset date in the original 2009 statue and allowed DEQ to move... read more
News
Marion County Hosts Re-Entry Initiative Breakfast for State Leaders
Marion County Commissioner Janet Carlson led the county's 8th Annual Reentry Initiative breakfast in Salem on Tuesday, bringing together over 200 community, business, and statewide leaders to celebrate the county's efforts to reduce recidivism... read more
McArthur Attends NCCAE Meeting in Alaska
Mike McArthur recently attended the annual meeting of the National Council of County Association Executives in Girdwood, Alaska. While there the group traveled to Whittier, Alaska. To get to Whittier by land you must travel through a 2.5 mile one way tunnel which operates on an alternating direction schedule... read more
Governor Brown Appoints Margaret Salazar as Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services
Governor Kate Brown appointed Margaret Salazar as Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services.  "Margaret has extensive leadership and expertise in housing issues, at the local, statewide, and national levels, and I am pleased she will join... read more
Tiny Houses for Veterans Springing Up Across the U.S.
Tiny houses are a growing trend across the US. But for veterans in Kansas City, these tiny houses will be more than just a place to call home. It'll be a chance for a fresh... read more
Travis Hampton Sworn in as New Oregon State Police Superintendent
Gov. Kate Brown nominated veteran Oregon State Trooper Travis Hampton to Superintendent last month. He was confirmed by the State Senate during the September... read more
Multnomah County Dedicates New Central Courthouse Building Downtown Portland
Multnomah County Commissioners and elected officials from the city, county and state level were on hand at the Jefferson Building downtown Portland Tuesday which will be... read more
Josephine County Courthouse celebrates 100 years
The Josephine County Courthouse celebrated it's 100-year anniversary today.  It was a chance for employees to remember the history of the courthouse, and to also enjoy it... read more
For a complete list of news and information visit oregoncounties.org
Events
AOC Annual Conference
November 15-17, 2016 | Eugene, Oregon | REGISTER

Opportunity from Adversity. This three-day event brings together decision makers from across the state providing opportunities to network, discover innovative ideas and collaborate with peers. Pre-conference day, Monday, November 14 will have a New Commissioner Orientation in the morning, and a great afternoon session on emergency management. You won't want to miss it!
AOC Invited to Attend AOR Forum at Member Rate
November 10, 2016   |  REGISTER

AOC has been invited to attendthe Association of Oregon Recyclers (AOR) upcoming forum on disaster preparedness and debris management at the AOR member rate.  This forum... read more
WEBINAR: Six Ways to Access Capital in Rural Communities
November 16, 2016   |  REGISTER

Join Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) on November 16 to l earn innovative ways to access capital in your rural community. Hear from a diverse group of experts who will share... read more
For a complete list of events visit oregoncounties.org
NACo News
WIR Board Meeting 2016
WIR Board gathers for board meeting, adopts key issues
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) board of directors met October 5-7 in Jackson County (Ashland) Oregon to study policy issues facing the Western United States and conduct strategic planning for the organization, including setting their key policy issues for 2017. Over the course of the three-day... read more
NACo State of County Finances: County financial statements show sluggish revenue, increasing mandate
An examination of the audited financial statements of over 2,000 U.S. counties reveals that the effects of the Great Recession continue to impact county budgets. The National... read more
Senate, House Champions Urge Congressional Leadership to Fully Fund PILT And Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools
On September 16, 2016, Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), along with a bipartisan group of 29 senators, sent a  letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch... read more
Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service Finalize Revisions to ESA Listing Petition Process
On September 26, 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released final rules governing how a member of the... read more
For more information on NACo news visit naco.org
Partner Spotlight
Snow, Ice, Cold Weather. Time to get ready.
Fall is here and the leaves are changing, but is your organization prepared for the winter? With U.S. Communities, you can immediately utilize our competitively-solicited contracts to start preparing for the snow, ice and freezing conditions. Look no further, take advantage of U.S. Communities' cold weather solutions and be prepared for the cold weather ahead... read more
The Last Word
Q: What do you call wood when it's scared? A: Petrified!

As 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.