Jun 14, 2023 | AOC Advocacy, AOC News, Natural Resources
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) has continuously engaged with the legislature, state agencies, and stakeholders in the development of comprehensive wildfire policies for numerous sessions. By focusing on thoughtful, effective, and regionally tailored wildfire policy, AOC has been able to ensure the county perspective is not only at the negotiating table but included in the implementation of statewide policy on wildfire.
Senate Bill 80B (2023) makes many technical changes to the 2021 Wildfire bill, SB 762, including revisiting the statewide wildfire risk map. Based on AOC Natural Resources Steering Committee principles and discussions, AOC staff and steering committee chairs worked with bill sponsor Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and Wildfire Program Advisory Council Chair Mark Bennett and Director Doug Grafe on statutory changes with the goal of an improved statewide wildfire hazard map.
Upon passage of SB 80, statute now requires that, “to ensure local characteristics in each area of this state are considered in the mapping process and before the draft map is released, the department shall meet with county commissioners and their staff in eight in-person meetings throughout this state.”
The bill goes on to say that after those meetings occur and the map is released for public comment, counties will have one additional opportunity to meet with ODF to discuss additional concerns and potential changes to the map. This process must be “interactive and does not consist solely of delivering information in a top-down manner.”
Finally, to ensure that counties have an active role in the wildfire mapping process, ODF stated on the legislative record that, “The department will receive and consider all comments and concerns for integration into the map, and if they are not integrated, an explanation on why will be provided.”
These county-ODF meetings will be scheduled in coordination with the AOC District Meetings this fall. AOC staff is meeting with county planning directors in advance of the fall ODF meetings to ensure counties are prepared to engage meaningfully in the map review process.
“We look forward to meeting with county commissioners and staff as we put the Wildfire Hazard Map together later this year,” said Cal Mukumoto, Oregon State Forester. “Through working together with counties we were able to craft language that works for both parties. Knowing the local concerns and issues faced in specific areas will help us make a map that is beneficial statewide.”
Contributed by: Branden Pursinger, AOC legislative affairs manager
Jun 2, 2023 | AOC News
There has been a lot of talk about housing as the Kotek Administration prioritizes solutions to the state’s housing crisis. Project Turnkey, an Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) supported program, is one of several models being deployed to provide targeted solutions tailored to community needs.
Last month, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek joined Polk County Commissioner Jeremy Gordon, AOC Executive Director Gina Firman Nikkel, and community leaders for the ribbon cutting of the Project Turnkey property, ARCHES Lodge in northeast Salem.
ARCHES Inn, a former hotel, was purchased by Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) using grant funding from several sources, including $3.5 million from the second tranche of Project Turnkey’s investment from the state. The region has identified veterans and people with acute health needs, including unsheltered people being released from clinics or emergency rooms, as its priority population for shelter and services.
True to the intent of the program, each local community focuses on specific housing and services tailored to the needs of their guests. Some recipients of the funds used the program to uplift community members impacted by wildfire, some for those transitioning following substance use recovery, some for transitional housing for youth, and some for survivors of domestic violence.
Since 2020, the State Legislature has invested close to $125 million in Project Turnkey. In the first tranche of funding, the program added nearly 900 units of shelter for Oregonians in need through the conversion of 19 motel sites in 13 counties around the state. In the second tranche of funding, which is being deployed through June of 2023, it is expected that an additional 500 units of shelter will be created.
“Project Turnkey was really a culmination of the pandemic, wildfire, and general housing crisis in Oregon. And, with my background in mental health, and the work that counties do to support our residents through wraparound services, it was clear that housing was one of the first critical steps in addressing mental health needs for Oregonians,” Nikkel said.
Following that conversation, AOC formed and co-convened a workgroup with the League of Oregon Cities (LOC), inviting legislators and other housing stakeholders to the table to identify how to achieve solutions that best served Oregonians. Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) staff engaged in the convening and feasibility study of the model. Ultimately, OCF served as fiduciary and grant administrator for the implementation of the program. This group worked closely with Kotek, who, at the time, served as Speaker of the House, for the initial investment in the program.
Nikkel is grateful for the governor’s engagement with the program. “Governor Kotek was a strong advocate for the program in her tenure as Speaker of the House and now as governor. She continues to be a strong partner for counties.”
With the strong success in the first phase of the program, Project Turnkey saw an infusion of $50 million more from the state in 2022. Organizations around the state applied for the opportunity to purchase motels, hotels, and other existing structures and utilize them short-term as shelter or temporary housing. Longer term, the properties may convert to permanent housing as the local housing needs shift and evolve.
OCF, the administrator of Project Turnkey, is continuing its work, guided by a statewide Advisory Committee. The second tranche of $50 million in funding is being awarded to new sites around the state, and in alignment with legislative direction for the funds, all acquisitions will be completed by June 30, 2023.
Eligible property types include hotels, motels, and other vacant properties that can readily and affordably be converted to non-congregate shelter such as duplexes, apartment complexes, care facilities, or dormitories.
Nikkel serves on the Advisory Committee that reviews Project Turnkey applications and recommends awardees for funding. She said the second tranche of funding brought 32 applications from regions around the state.
“The need for housing is great, and while Project Turnkey is one of several pieces needed to address the housing crisis, it is not the only set of housing we need, Nikkel stated. We need people to move up – from shelter beds to middle housing, and so on.”
There was no direct request for funding for the 2023 Legislative Session, but conversations continue. Nikkel met with Kotek in early April and discussed the success of the program.
As Project Turnkey properties launch in communities around the state, counties are working with community partners to provide wraparound services to program participants. Each site is uniting community partners to offer the right resources to each guest to help them stabilize and move to permanent housing.
AOC, LOC, and partners continue to convene to address future housing solutions. Partners include: CASA of Oregon; Hacienda CDC; Network for Oregon Affordable Housing; Oregon Emergency Management; Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Health Authority; Oregon Housing and Community Services; Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association; Oregon Community Foundation; Oregon Housing Stability Council Chair and Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall; former Morrow County Commissioner Jim Doherty; State Representative Pam Marsh (D-Ashland); and former State Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer (D-Portland).
Contributed by: Mckenzie Farrell, AOC operations director
Mar 24, 2023 | AOC News
AOC, your membership organization, has been hard at work this last quarter. We’ve been able to navigate some complex policy discussions; build and strengthen partnerships; and officially opened the doors to our new building to celebrate this achievement at our March open house.
While not a full review of our activities, below are some highlights for us as an organization this last quarter.
Legislative Session – Policy
Members and staff have been actively testifying and lobbying legislators on critical issues facing our counties. While we are nearing the end of the first chamber deadlines this session, we have already seen the bill list narrow – as a reminder, long sessions see anywhere from 3,000 – 4,000 bills introduced.
March 17 was the first deadline. By this date, bills that had not been posted for a work session are presumed dead. April 4, is the next deadline. Bills that have not been moved out of a policy committee in their chamber of origin to either the other chamber, or a joint committee will be added to that list, further narrowing bills of focus for the Legislature.
The AOC legislative affairs team has put together the initial list of high-level bills they are tracking, calling out which survived the first deadline and which did not. Click here to view this list.
As a reminder, while we are working hard to move AOC supported bills, it’s not as simple as a bill dying at the deadline. Some policy issues do resurface through “gut and stuffs”, amendments, the budget, new bill introductions, or may be further explored in work groups.
Sine die is the official call of what makes it and what does not, but deadlines help narrow the scope of focus on legislation.
Legislative Session – Budget
In addition to policy discussions, the Legislature is diving deeply into creation of the state’s 2023-25 budget.
Over the next few weeks, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means will be conducting its biennial “road show,” where they will take their budget framework, released March 23, by the powerful budget committee co chairs, and seek feedback from Oregonians.
The committee will visit the following four cities for public input:
- Portland (April 8);
- Newport (April 14);
- Roseburg (April 21); and
- Ontario (April 28).
More information is available here.
AOC would encourage our members to connect with legislators on the committee and provide testimony on key funding for county programs.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or any member of our legislative affairs team.
Open House
On March 13, AOC officially opened its doors to members, partners, and stakeholders to celebrate our new building. Our building, purchased in November of 2021, is now equipped with furniture, audio visual equipment, and is well organized to support the needs of our organization, day-to-day operations, members, and any events we may host at the building.
I was delighted to see so many members and partners drop by to see our new space and network.
Partnerships
I am pleased to say AOC is building strong relationships with the governor’s office, her staff, and agency partners. I am meeting with the governor’s office to build relationships and elevate our membership needs. Staff on your legislative affairs team are regularly meeting with the governor’s staff and agency staff to advocate for our issues. This is important work, and a high priority for AOC as a new administration means new staff, new direction, and new opportunities for collaboration.
Looking Forward
We look forward to closing out the legislative session with some wins for our members.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Gina Firman Nikkel, Ph.D.
AOC Executive Director
Mar 17, 2023 | AOC News
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Co Chairs Senator Elizabeth Steiner (D-Beaverton) and Representative Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland) announced a series of public hearings on the state budget in four locations around the state: Portland, Newport, Roseburg, and Ontario.
The public hearings will kick off on April 8 at Portland Community College- Sylvania Campus. Public testimony will be taken from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
How to Testify:
Members of the public will be able to access sign up links on the Ways and Means Committee’s webpage to testify. Sign up links will be available online in the next week.
Public Hearing Schedule:
Date: Saturday, April 8
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (PDT)
Location: Portland Community College – PAC Auditorium, Sylvania Campus 12000 SW 49th Ave, Portland, OR 97219
Date: Friday, April 14
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (PDT)
Location: Newport Performing Arts Center 777 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365
Date: Friday, April 21
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (PDT)
Location: Umpqua Community College 1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg, OR 9747
Date: Friday, April 28
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (MTZ)
Location: Four Rivers Cultural Center 676 SW 5th Ave, Ontario, OR 97914
All hearings will be open to the public and members of the press.
To view the original release, click here.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Mar 17, 2023 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is a 23-member staff of professional employees with broad duties and skill-sets. Each team member helps make AOC the success it is today. Here is an opportunity to meet a member of your AOC team.
Meet AOC County Road Program IT Trainer & Communications Specialist, Robert Yde
Robert Yde joined the AOC team in February of 2023 as IT Trainer & Communications Specialist. In his role, Robert primarily supports the public affairs and communication needs of the County Road Program (CRP). He also serves as the first point of contact and trainer for CRP’s Integrated Road Information System (IRIS).
After graduating from college, Robert spent five years in the U.S. Army as a public affairs specialist, including a 15-month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq. Following his time in the army, he relocated to Oregon and continued to work in public affairs, first at the Oregon State Hospital, then at Samaritan Health Plans in Corvallis. In 2018, Robert changed careers and began his first year of teaching middle school language arts and social studies courses in Albany, which he continued to do until joining AOC in early 2023.
Robert holds a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from North Carolina State University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education from Oregon State University.
AOC County Road Program
Robert’s position is housed in the CRP department of AOC.
The AOC CRP was established in 1990 as a cooperative with the OACES to provide advocacy, education, and cost-effective solutions as a trusted central resource for information and technical assistance for Oregon’s county road departments. The purpose of the CRP is to enhance county road management capabilities with programs of shared technical assistance. The core functions of CRP include: advocating for the county road system; providing education and information to road officials; providing cost accounting software – IRIS – for county road departments; and staffing OACES.
Why Robert Loves AOC
“County government is often overshadowed by federal and state government, however, county governments provide essential services to their citizens and the communities within them. Something that I love about AOC is how the organization works hand-in-hand with our county partners to offer tools, resources, and information to further empower our local governments to best meet the needs of their citizens.”
What Interests Robert in His Work
“Although I’ve always been interested in journalism and an avid follower of the news, I found my way into the public affairs world by chance when I joined the Army. My first choice of jobs was not available at the time, and public affairs was offered to me instead. As I learned the job, the part that really resonated with me was being able to tell the story of individual soldiers and the work they were doing. The opportunity to meet a wide-range of people, hear their stories, and be able to share these stories with a wider audience is still my favorite aspect of public affairs.”
What Robert Wants to See in the Future for AOC
“I truly believe that being able to address issues and find solutions at the local level is more important than ever. The decisions and actions of local governments often have the greatest impact on peoples’ daily lives, and I’d like to see AOC continue to work closely with counties to find efficient and effective solutions that improve the quality of lives for Oregonians across the state.”
Outside of AOC
Outside of AOC, Robert enjoys playing guitar and listening to music (preferably live), watching sports, and playing video games with his 14-year-old son. Additionally, when it is not raining, Robert likes to spend time outdoors with his wife and their two dogs.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Feb 24, 2023 | AOC News
The March Economic and Revenue Forecast was presented during a joint meeting of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue and the House Committee on Revenue and House Revenue Committees on Feb. 22. The committees heard from state economists at the Office of Economic Analysis that there will be “additional resources available for policymakers” as they develop the 23-25 biennium budget. Compared to the December Economic and Revenue Forecast the projected ending balance is up $487.1 million. That said, analysts also noted there is still an amount of uncertainty, including a full tax cycle broaching in April and noted the office will be in a better position in the middle of May when they present the close-of-session forecast to understand actual receipts and available funds. The May Economic and Revenue Forecast will be used by lawmakers to develop the 23-25 biennial budget. The latest projections could help eliminate the projected $560 million shortfall predicted by analysts in December.
Corporate and personal income taxes remain strong, showing 25 percent annual growth over the past five years, far more rapid than underlying measures of profits would suggest. Analysts commented that with the improved baseline economic outlook, additional gains in most taxes are expected through the 23-25 biennium, with a notable exception in the marijuana tax, which is expected to fall by 11 percent due to low prices, reducing drug treatment funds.
New Facts
- Fourth quarter personal income tax collections came in $261.6 million (9.4 percent) above the December 2022 forecast.
- Fourth quarter corporate income tax collections came in $131.1 million (54.6 percent) above the December 2022 forecast.
- Fourth quarter state personal income was $1.1 billion (-0.4 percent) below the December 2022 forecast.
- Fourth quarter state employment was 6,655 jobs (0.3 percent) above the December 2022 forecast.
Change Since Close of Session
- Personal income tax revenue is up $3,557.4 million (17.2 percent) from the 2021 close-of-session estimate.
- Corporate tax revenue is up $1,545.5 million (115.0 percent) from the 2021 close-of-session estimate.
- General Fund gross revenue is up $5,483.6 million (23.4 percent) from the 2021 close-of-session estimate.
- Net General Fund and Lottery fund resources are up $6,653.6 million (24 percent) from the 2021 close-of-session estimate.
Kicker Funds Implied by Forecast
- Personal – A personal kicker of $3,938.2 million is projected for 2023.
- Corporate – A corporate tax revenue of $1,545.5 million is projected to be dedicated to K-12 education spending in the 23-25 biennium.
Revenue Changes
- Projected 21-23 biennium net General Fund resources are up $487.1 million (1.7 percent) from the December 2022 forecast.
- Projected 2021-23 Lottery Fund resources are up $16.4 million (0.9 percent) from the December 2022 forecast.
- Projected combined net General Fund and Lottery Fund resources are up $503.5 million (1.5 percent) from the December 2022 forecast.
Ending Balance
- The projected ending balance is up $4,065.2 million from the 2021 close-of-session estimate.
- The projected ending balance is up $487.1 million from the December 2022 forecast.
- The Rainy Day Fund is projected to receive $278.6 million following the 2021-23 biennium.
Contributed by: Anna Braun | AOC Contract Lobbyist, Government, Revenue, and Veterans
