Feb 10, 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 Legislative Affairs Manager, Branden Pursinger
Branden Pursinger joined the AOC team in August of 2022 as legislative affairs manager. In his role, Branden advocates for Oregon counties’ priorities at the State Legislature and with state agencies, covering the natural resources policy portfolio. That work includes staffing the AOC Federal Lands Subcommittee and the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties.
Prior to joining AOC, Branden served as the Senate Republican Caucus administrator addressing key policies and priorities during several legislative sessions. He also worked with Senator Bill Hansell for many years managing policy, constituent relations, bringing to AOC a deep understanding of the political process.
Branden holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (Constitutional law focus) from Lewis & Clark College.
AOC Legislative Affairs Department
Branden’s role is housed in the AOC Legislative Affairs Department. The Legislative Affairs Department is a five-member team that advocates for counties at the State Capitol, within state agencies, and with federal partners to pursue a policy agenda set by AOC members.
Why Branden Loves AOC
“AOC brings the local leaders together to discuss and find solutions to the problems facing every corner of our state. AOC provides the collaboration and cooperation to find solutions to the shared problems all counties are facing. Also, the team at AOC is hardworking and have been unbelievably helpful as I have joined the AOC family. I am very appreciative of everyone I have met and have worked with thus far.”
What Interests Branden in His Work
“I have been working in politics for the past 10 years and have loved every minute of it. Growing up on the edge of a city that boarded a wilderness area, I saw the impacts the natural resources had and continue to have on the people. I saw how the decisions in Salem impacted the farmers, the river, and the forest. I am very excited to work on these issues and provide a voice in this area. Every county has trees, animals, and water issues. Helping to solve these issues is something I am very much looking forward to.”
What Branden Wants to See in the Future for AOC
“Counties are not stakeholders, we are partners. We represent the same constituents as the legislators. I want to see AOC be the partner it should be on all aspects of government. Local governments should be the first phone call for individuals in Salem when there are conversations happening, and I would love to see AOC and counties move into that type of a relationship with the state.”
Outside of AOC
Outside of AOC, Branden enjoys fly fishing the many rivers in Oregon, spending time with his family, teaching his six-year-old daughter about the joys of nature and astronomy, listening to music, and Saturday morning cartoon time with his daughter.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Feb 6, 2023 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Robert Yde as IT Trainer and Communications Specialist for the County Road Program.
Yde comes to AOC having most recently served as a middle school educator where he taught social studies. Prior to this, Yde worked in the public relations field as a writer, editor, and content creator. “Robert will be a great addition to the team and I have no doubt that he will advance understanding and education initiatives surrounding the County Road Program and the Integrated Road Information System,” said Gina Nikkel, AOC executive director.
Yde’s first day is February 6, 2023.
Jan 30, 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 Legislative Affairs Manager, Jessica Pratt
Jessica Pratt joined the AOC team in April of 2022 as legislative affairs manager. In her role, Jessica advocates for Oregon counties’ priorities at the State Legislature and with state agencies, covering health and human services policy portfolio. That work includes coordination for the newly revived Local Government Advisory Committee for health and human services, a collaborative forum for local elected officials, their local partners, and the directors of the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Human Services to guide public system design and the state-county shared services partnership.
She brought a deep understanding of complex mental and behavioral health policies critical to counties to AOC. Prior to joining AOC, she served as interim director of AOC associate member organization, Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs; staff for the Office for Oregon Health Policy & Research; as well as more recently working for the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care.
She brings an understanding of front line public behavioral health work from her early career experience as a crisis associate at the Marion County Psychiatric Crisis Center in Salem.
Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Willamette University.
AOC Legislative Affairs Department
Jessica’s role is housed in the AOC Legislative Affairs Department. The Legislative Affairs Department is a five-member team that advocates for counties at the State Capitol, within state agencies, and with federal partners to pursue a policy agenda set by AOC members.
Why Jessica Loves AOC
“I am so excited to be back working for counties again. It is a privilege to champion this diverse body of passionate public servants who rise to every challenge to maintain the public services we all rely on every day and make our communities great places to live and raise our kids.”
What Interests Jessica in Her Work
“I grew up exploring the forests and creeks around my grandpa’s house in Douglas County and helping my dad bring in the hay on his ranch in Baker County. As an adult, I’ve lived and worked in Marion, Multnomah, and Washington counties and hiked the amazing trails in every corner of the state. I’ve visited every community mental health program in Oregon and have seen the care and creativity of county commissioners and community members continuously weaving together the people, facilities, and funding streams to meet changing needs. I love drawing on all those experiences as I listen and bring together the voices and the knowledge of county commissioners from across Oregon to solve statewide problems and empower every community to thrive.”
What Jessica Wants to See in the Future for AOC
“When I started working with them in 2007, the awesome legislative team at AOC had been serving together for about twenty-five years. They were trusted sources of information and leadership in the Capitol and at every state agency and enjoyed a warm camaraderie. I look forward to helping grow the next generation AOC team and steward our state-county partnerships with them in the coming decades.”
Outside of AOC
Jessica currently enjoys exploring the beaches, mountains, and waters of Oregon with her husband and five and seven year old kids.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Jan 30, 2023 | AOC News
The 2023 Legislative Session is underway, and new bills continue to be introduced. Below are bills in the current billstack that the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) legislative affairs team have identified as impacting AOC’s legislative priorities for the Session.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY
Systemic Solutions to Statewide Housing Shortages – advocate for state investments that boost local government permit processing staff and capacity, and a fast-track process for limited urban growth boundary expansions that significantly increase affordable and workforce housing in all communities experiencing shortages of buildable land.
RELATED BILLS
- LC 2044 will be introduced by Representative Pam Marsh (D-Ashland) as part of a suite of bills aimed at this priority, this concept provides state investments in local government permitting staff capacity ($45 million), land use system education ($1.1 million), and creates regional housing coordinators ($3.6 million).
GOVERNANCE & REVENUE PRIORITY
Support adequate funding of county assessment and taxation services.
RELATED BILLS
- HB 2088 is meant to provide sustainable funding for assessment and taxation services. Historically, the state has provided about 33 percent of the funding, but after 2007, the state’s share has been reduced to around 12 percent. HB 2088 holds back three percent from all taxing districts to pay counties for their assessment and taxation funding. The bill as written is not expected to move, but a workgroup convened by the committee chair will be meeting to address the structural funding deficit. On Jan. 25, the House Committee on Revenue heard HB 2088. AOC President Derrick DeGroot testified on behalf of AOC and spoke strongly in favor of the concept and offered support from AOC for any work that results in sustainable funding for the counties assessment and taxation services.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES PRIORITY
End liability risk shift to counties and local system providers for mandated populations (aid and assist, civil commitment, and guilty except for insanity).
- SB 319 provides that a person who contracts with a public body to provide services for purposes of community restoration or to restore fitness to proceed is a state officer, employee, or agent for purposes of indemnification under Oregon Tort Claims Act. This concept, filed by Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) as a Senate Judiciary Committee bill, is a safety line for community providers and counties while longer term solutions are crafted and put in place. It is supported by a coalition including the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association; Disability Rights Oregon; NAMI Oregon; Oregon AFSCME; Oregon Council for Behavioral Health; the Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs; Clackamas, Lane, Multnomah and Washington counties; and the Association of Oregon Counties.
NATURAL RESOURCES PRIORITY
Enhance county role across the natural resources – protect and enhance county funding and flexibility to support management policies and locally focused policy making processes for wildfire resiliency efforts, place-based planning efforts, and drought resiliency, as well as sound land management.
- SB 80 is a wildfire placeholder bill. The concept should include the resources and capacity necessary for counties to implement the wildfire preparation, mitigation, and defense measures in SB 762 (2021) on an ongoing basis.
- LC 3292 is a water planning concept by Representatives Ken Helm (D-Beaverton) and Mark Owens (R-Crane). The concept will lift the sunset on place-based water planning and allocate funding to the Oregon Water Resources Department.
- LC 1895 is a drought resilience concept. This forthcoming package by Representatives Ken Helm (D-Beaverton) and Mark Owens (R-Crane) will help address drought resiliency and support efforts to mitigate this persistent issue facing Oregon counties.
PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY
Increase state investments in district attorney salaries and address the widening pay gap between elected district attorneys.
- HB 2308/POP 101 provides for state funding for pay equity, the elimination of the two tiers ($1.5 million).
- HB 2311/POP 102 – provides for state funded increases in district attorney salaries ($3.48 million).
- HB 2392/POP 104 – provides for state funding for processing digital evidence and body cams ($14.4 million).
- HB 2391/POP 105 – provides for state funding for district attorney crime victim services ($25.5 million).
- LC 970/POP 106 – provides for state funding for indigent defense discovery ($6 million).
- POP 107 – provides for state funding for recording grand jury proceedings ($384,000).
TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY
Advocate for fair and sustainable funding to effectively and efficiently manage counties large and diverse road systems by:
Preserving the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) State Fund Exchange Program
- HB 2101 is a Joint Committee on Transportation committee bill that would codify the STBG Fund Exchange program and create long term stability for the program. AOC is in negotiations with the Oregon Department of Transportation on an amendment.
Creating the statutory authority for counties to charge cost-recovery fees for permits issued to utilities for work in the county road right of way.
- SB 635 is chief co sponsored by Senator Lew Frederick (D-Portland) and Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale), reintroduction of HB 3049 (2021)
ADDITIONAL AOC PRIORITY BILLS
- HB 2261 ensures that the 2.5 percent of dedicated video lottery proceeds reach Oregon counties and continues key investments in local economic development.
- SB 460 provides General Fund backfill for revenue losses from Ballot Measure 110 in the amount of $34.8 million to impacted counties ($34.8 million to cities)
The AOC legislative affairs team looks forward to ongoing conversations with Governor Tina Kotek and legislative leadership to strengthen the state-county partnership on critical services and functions for all Oregonians.
Contributed by: The AOC Legislative Affairs Team
- Anna Braun (503.901.7023), Contract Lobbyist, Governance, Revenue, & Veterans
- Michael Burdick (503.522.9743), AOC Legislative Affairs Manager Public Safety & Community Development
- Jessica Pratt (503.515.6884), AOC Legislative Affairs Manager Health & Human Services
- Branden Pursinger (503.320.3579), AOC Legislative Affairs Manager Natural Resources
- Brian Worley (503.810.9902), AOC County Road Program Director Transportation
Jan 23, 2023 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is seeking the names of any members interested in representing AOC on the following committees:
- Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC) – PTAC advises the Oregon Department of Transportation on public transportation issues across the state.
- One AOC representative position (previously two positions)
- Scenic Bikeways Advisory Committee – Proposed scenic bikeways are reviewed, rated, and recommended for designation by the Scenic Bikeway Advisory Committee. AOC County Road Program Director, Brian Worley serves as a non-voting staff member on the committee.
- One AOC representative position
Current AOC members who are interested in being appointed can email
sgamaney@oregoncounties.org with a statement of interest by
Monday, February 6 – close of business. All applicants will be reviewed by AOC President Derrick DeGroot for final recommendations.
