Tax Reform Discussions are Moved into Open Meetings
As Oregon Trails has reported for several weeks, state tax reform has been an ongoing topic of discussion within a small group of legislators skilled in revenue matters. This group has constructed a framework for reform of the business tax system and begun filling in details. Property tax reform, of critical importance to local governments, has been broached, as well, but for the moment set aside until there is a clear sense of what is possible to close the gap on state resources for the 2017-19 biennium... read more
Policy Updates
AOC President Meets with Ways & Means Co-Chairs
AOC President and Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Hall has been extraordinarily active and effective in his role representing county government. He is in Salem frequently providing clear, crisp testimony in legislative hearings and attending key policy discussions with individual legislators... read more
State Forester Presents Outlook to County Advisory Group 
A group of county commissioners representing Oregon counties where county land was transferred to the state to create state forests met on April 21st as the Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee (FTLAC).  The seven-member Board of Directors of the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties (CFTLC)... read more
Community & Economic Development Policy Update - April 28
This week marks the end of week 13 of the Legislative Session. Below is a review of the week.  JWM Agency Report: Regional Solutions -  The Joint Committee on Ways and Means met this week to receive agency reports, including an update on "Change in Use of Regional Solutions Program Funds," ... read more

Co-Chairs Budget Reductions Keep Public Safety Grants to Counties at Current Service Level
While budget discussions continue in the state capitol, the co-chairs of the legislature's budget-writing committee released their proposed reductions budget based on no revenue additions. Public safety stakeholders have worked with the committee... read more
Energy, Environment, and Land Use Update - April 28
This week marks the end of week 13 of the Legislative Session. Below is a review of the week.  BIOMASS -  SB 634 , which states that energy from a biomass facility can be used to meet the state's 1.5 percent investment in renewable energy requirement, passed through the Senate 30-0 and now needs to have... read more
Transportation Update - April 28
The Joint Transportation Committee did not meet this week. The Accountability Workgroup did meet to review a website that ODOT is developing to track STIP and Connect Oregon projects state wide through design, construction and completion. The prototype is based on a map of Oregon, with projects shown.... read more

Health & Human Services Update - April 28
With things slowing down significantly after the bill filing deadline, there has been little movement on Health & Human Services bills. Some significant discussions have taken place.  SB 754-A  - Tobacco 21 had a public hearing in House Health Care Committee on April 24... read more
News
Oregon Lawmakers Wrangle with Closing the Budget Gap
Hang around at the Capitol for more than an hour this Legislative session and you're bound to hear the phase "bending the cost curve."  The phrase is on the lips of Democrats... read more
Blue Zones to Help Umpqua Region Improve Health
The Umpqua region, with a focus on Roseburg, will be one of the three new demonstration communities in Oregon for the Blue Zones Project, a program meant to help... read more
For a complete list of news and information visit oregoncounties.org
Events
Product Stewardship Institute Hosts a Free Webinar on Drug Take-Back
May 15, 2017 |  12:30 p.m. | REGISTER

Each year, over $1 billion worth of leftover drugs are thrown in the trash, flushed, or relegated to medicine cabinets. Removing unwanted prescription drugs from the home... read more
GOBHI Spring Conference
May 17-19, 2017 | Bend, Oregon | REGISTER

Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI) is dedicated to the health care needs of rural Oregonians with the triple aim of better care, better health, and lower costs.
OCZMA Membership Meeting
May 22, 2017 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Oregon State Capitol | REGISTER

The Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association (OCZMA) will be holding a membership meeting on May 22, 2017 at the Oregon State Capitol to discuss policy issues, meet with legislators, and to conduct association business. Lunch available to those who register. 
Managing Stormwater in Oregon
June 20, 2017 | Portland |  REGISTER

Regional regulations are tightening, third party lawsuits are an emerging enforcement threat, and the economics of compliance matter more than ever for property owners and managers. This conference addresses these challenges and presents practical answers for Oregon companies, municipalities, and service providers.
Oregon Coastal Caucus Economic Summit
July 26 | Portland, Oregon  |  REGISTER

For a complete list of events visit oregoncounties.org
NACo News
NACo 2017 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference is hosted each year by a county within the fifteen Western states -- Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.  The conference brings together county officials not only from these... read more
Counties Left in the Dark when 911 Fails
The Federal Communications Commission is investigating an AT&T 911 outage March 8 that left counties across 13 states scrambling to get the word out to residents and... read more 
Trump Tax Plan Draws Fast Fire
President Donald Trump's plan to eliminate the state and local income tax deduction as part of his ambitious tax reform package drew a quick response and statements of... read more
EPA, Corps Request Comments on 'Waters of the U.S.' Rewrite
NACo and other national state and local government associations met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) regarding... read more
Get Involved! Submit Your NACo Presidential Appointment Request Today
To be considered for a presidential appointment you must complete the  application online  before  June 2, 2017 ... read more
For more information on NACo news visit naco.org
Partner Spotlight
More than $600 Million in Residents' Savings!
The NACo Prescription - Health - Dental Discount Program provides relief to uninsured and underinsured Americans who face high prescription, health and dental costs. The program is free to NACo member counties and it has been offering real savings to county residents across the country since 2004.
The Last Word
Q: What do you get when you cross a cow with a trampoline? A: A milkshake!

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.