Legislative Assembly Shifts into Second Gear
This headline is dated in an era of automatic transmissions, but it nevertheless describes the pace and mood at the Capitol. In the beginning of any legislative session, orientation to issues to be faced by each committee is essential not only to newly elected members but as a refresher to the veteran. Moreover, relations - the core of politics - need a little breathing space to begin their development. The Hello Party, held Tuesday of the second week, permitted informal discussions among legislators, retired legislators, and advocates. AOC policy staff used the opportunity to renew friendships, answer questions, set appointments, and promote local government.  Yet work was indeed underway. By Thursday of the second week 1,870 bills had been introduced, and the bill filing deadline is still more... read more
Policy Updates
Support Veterans: Testify at Community Hearings
You are encouraged to testify at the Ways and Means town hall budget hearings to fully fund the 2017-10 Veterans Budget. Key points to share with Leiglsastors are ... read more
Federal and State Land Management-Related County Policy Groups within Oregon
AOC is frequently asked for information regarding the various county related policy groups within Oregon that focus on federal and state land management. In total there are six. Below you will find details about each group... read more
Energy, Environment and Land Use Update - Week of Feb. 6th
After 10 days of the 2017 Legislature there have been several bills of interest seeing action and others bills that have been scheduled. The House Energy and Environment Committee heard hearings on several bills:  HB 2124 and  HB 2725, the woodsmoke workgroup bills, had initial public hearings on Wednesday ... read more
Community & Economic Development - Week of Feb. 6th
The House Economic Development & Trade Committee heard from Business Oregon updating this new committee on the economic growth experienced by our state in the last few years. Highlights included: $21 Billion was exported last year; Oregon... read more
Victims' Voices Added to Local Public Safety Councils
The Oregon Senate voted to give victims of crime an important voice on public safety coordinating councils.  Senate Bill 26 - which passed 28-0 on the Senate floor - requires county commissions to appoint providers of victim services to their local public safety coordinating councils. Currently comprised of city.... read more
News
Roundtable - Mass Timber & the Affordable Housing Market
Tallwood Design Institute to host Roundtable on Mass Timber and the Affordable Housing Market, Wednesday, March 1 from 2:00 - 5:30 p.m. at the White Stag Block... read more
Join Communities Across Oregon For a Year With The RARE AmeriCorps Program! What is The RARE AmeriCorps Program?  The mission of the Resource Assistance... read more
For a complete list of news and information visit oregoncounties.org
Events
AOC C3 Summit - Connect. Communicate. Collaborate.
May 9, 2017 | Salem, Oregon | SAVE-THE-DATE

The 2017 AOC C3 Summit will focus on initiatives, policies and efforts around building stronger collaboration between the public safety and behavioral health systems, encompassing everything from treatment capacity, diversion and transition programs to supportive housing. Through the Stepping Up Initiative - a national effort to reduce the number of people in the criminal justice system due to mental illness - Oregon counties are working to improve public safety, reduce costs and help put people on the path to recovery.
For a complete list of events visit oregoncounties.org
NACo News
County Economies: Widespread Recovery, Slower Growth
NACo released its fourth edition of the County Economies report, which identifies growth and recovery patterns for 2016 by examining annual changes in jobs, unemployment rate, economic output (GDP) and median home prices. While many counties have returned to or surpassed pre-Great Recession levels on a number of key indicators, some counties continue to lag and economic growth has slowed across the country. learn more
NACo 2017 Legislative Conference 
The NACo Legislative Conference, held annually in Washington, D.C., brings together 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents.  Join the AOC delegation as we deliver the message that federal policies matter to counties, and counties matter to America... read more
NACo Advocates for County Transportation Priorities at Infrastructure Hearing
National Association of Counties (NACo) Central Region Representative Cindy Bobbitt, chair of the Grant County, Okla. Board of Commissioners, testified Wednesday before the... read more
115th Congress Considers Repeal of Cadillac Tax
As Congress continues to consider how to repeal and/or replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), lawmakers must also decide how to address taxes imposed on... read more
House passes resolution disapproving of BLM's Planning 2.0 rule
On February 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed  H.J. Res. 44, a resolution disapproving of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Planning 2.0 rule... read more
For more information on NACo news visit naco.org
Partner Spotlight
New U.S. Communities Contract with Amazon Business
 U.S. Communities is excited to announce a new contract for online marketplace with Amazon Business. Registered participants of the U.S. Communities program can now utilize the Amazon Business Marketplace. Amazon Business has been awarded an exclusive multi-year contract through a competitive solicitation process and detailed evaluation conducted by lead public agency, Prince William County Public Schools, Virginia. The contract term is for five years to  January 18, 2022 , with the option to renew for three additional two year periods. To learn more about this new contract, register for a  complimentary 30-minute webinar .
The Last Word








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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.