Mar 2, 2026 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) kicked off its 120th anniversary celebration with two key events in Salem on Feb. 9 and 10, bringing the unified voice of Oregon’s counties to the state capital. These events included a legislative reception, held in the newly reopened Capitol Galleria, and County Day in the Capitol.
The legislative reception proved to be an overwhelming success, attracting a large attendance of legislators and their staff following a busy day of legislative work and committee hearings. This annual event provided a relaxed and informal environment that fostered networking and strengthened relationships with key figures, including Gov. Tina Kotek, state agency directors and staff, legislators, legislative staff, and various partners.
More than 30 members gathered in the Capitol the following day for County Day at the Capitol to network and advocate on behalf of county budgets, county services, and county governance. Highlights included visits from Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Julie Fahey, a private tour of the extensive Capitol building renovations, a special event honoring counties and AOC on the Senate floor, and afternoon meetings with legislators. AOC’s Executive Committee carried the county message of partnership and collaboration in highly productive discussions with Wagner, Fahey, caucus leaders, and the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
AOC continues to strengthen the state-county relationship by consistently delivering the message that counties are the state’s partner in delivering critical public services and infrastructure to every Oregonian. To aid in this messaging, AOC recently released several publications, including a redesigned State-County Shared Services Chart, a new role of counties one-pager, and AOC priority issue briefs and talking points. Members are encouraged to use these resources to illustrate the essential services and programs counties provide.
“The success of the legislative reception and County Day at the Capitol reaffirms our commitment to proactive engagement with the Legislature,” said Executive Director Gina Nikkel. “AOC remains dedicated to its founding mission of advocating for county governments, strengthening intergovernmental collaboration, and ensuring counties have the necessary resources to effectively serve their communities across Oregon.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Mar 2, 2026 | AOC News
Senate Concurrent Resolution 204, a measure honoring the role of counties and the 120th anniversary of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), has successfully passed both chambers unanimously and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Introduced at the request of AOC by Senate President Rob Wagner, SCR 204 was chief-sponsored by House Speaker Julie Fahey, Sens. Janeen Sollman, Todd Nash, David Brock Smith, and Jeff Golden, and Rep. Court Boice. The resolution’s regular sponsors included twenty-two bipartisan and bicameral legislators.
AOC’s vital role and the essential services provided by counties were highlighted for legislators through public hearings in the Senate and House Committees on Rules. AOC President Erin Skaar and Executive Director Gina Nikkel spoke to the unique perspective and process that AOC brings to our advocacy and the importance of a strong, collaborative state-county partnership.
“We believe that when commissioners from the metro area and the farthest corners of Eastern Oregon advocate on issues of importance to county governments with a shared voice – when we sit together before you in this building with a shared message – the Legislature ought to take notice,” said Skaar in her public hearing testimony. “In fact we believe it is critical to well-functioning government in our state and critical to the efficient and effective delivery of county services to our shared constituents, that you do.”
During public hearings and a special event on County Day in the Capitol, where 30 AOC members were present in the Senate gallery, several legislators offered testimony in support of SCR 204. Sollman, Brock Smith, Golden, and Nash testified about the value and importance of AOC before the resolution passed through the chamber.
Nash spoke about AOC’s role of unifying counties from urban, rural, and remote areas to create a stronger voice. “It was so inspiring; we were non-partisan,” Nash said. “We worked on issues together [to] have a voice here in this state building. From Wallowa County, 7,400 people but a large land mass, and Harney County — we all had a voice.”
Sollman’s testimony focused on the range of county services. “From public works and land use to behavioral health and public safety, our partners at the county level deliver essential infrastructure and services that keep our state thriving,” testified Sollman.
Brock Smith emphasized that while counties share responsibility with the state for many services — as illustrated by AOC’s Shared Services Chart — counties remain the sole providers of numerous other services such as elections, building codes, and solid waste management. A recording of the Senate floor session is available for viewing.
AOC was founded 120 years ago, in 1906, with the same purpose and mission that we still carry today – to bring county officials together to advocate with a collective voice, to exchange ideas and build relationships with peers statewide, to support county elected officials in exercising exemplary leadership in public service, and to enrich the public’s understanding of county government.
“I know I can speak for our entire staff at AOC when I say that we are honored to serve county governments, and through them, all Oregonians, in our work at AOC,” said Nikkel. “We look forward to many more years of working together, uplifting our mission – uniting counties to advocate, communicate, and educate.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Mar 2, 2026 | AOC News, NACo
Over 40 county leaders from Oregon, accompanied by Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) staff, joined nearly 2,000 county officials from across the nation for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference, held Feb. 21-24, in Washington, D.C.
Attendees actively participated in shaping NACo’s legislative agenda, received updates on key federal policies, and advocated for county priorities on Capitol Hill. Conference sessions addressed critical issues impacting counties nationwide, including surface transportation, federal disaster policy, housing and permitting reform, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), energy and data centers, and workforce development. Many members also attended a Federal Agency Expo, where nearly 50 federal program offices sent representatives to meet with attendees and foster intergovernmental partnerships.
Conference general sessions featured speakers from senior administration officials along with members of Congress from the U.S. House of Representatives, including Rep. Andrea Salinas, who is co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. Salinas discussed the Building Capacity for Care Act, legislation she introduced last year that could help alleviate unmet mental health needs often shouldered by counties.
A key highlight for the Oregon delegation was advocating for AOC’s federal policy priorities directly on Capitol Hill. Members held meetings with all of Oregon’s federal delegation, including Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as Reps. Janelle Bynum, Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Cliff Bentz, and Maxine Dexter. Key issues discussed included surface transportation, Medicaid funding, timber revenue, and permitting reform.
“Federal policies have direct and long-lasting impacts on county governments and our residents,” said NACo President J.D. Clark. “NACo’s Legislative Conference is an important opportunity for county leaders to strengthen relationships with our intergovernmental partners, tell our county story and advocate for county priorities that help our communities and residents thrive.”
Read more about the conference on NACo’s website.
View AOC’s NACo Legislative Conference photo album.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
