AOC Executive Director Mike MacArthur and I, along with League of Cities representatives, met with Governor Kate Brown and key members of her staff on Monday, Feb. 6. It was a good opportunity to bring local government’s perspectives to the state’s chief executive.
The governor told us that education, transportation, health care and PERS reform are at the top of her priority list. She sees congestion as a growing economic challenge for the entire state. She also wants to see more dollars for mass transit as part of this discussion as well.
Brown said our low graduation rate is unacceptable, and wants to see every student graduate from high school with a plan for the future. She’s open to any legally viable proposal to address the PERS deficit, but didn’t have anything to bring forward at the moment.
The League of Cities is focusing on reforms to the property tax system, and Mike and I had the chance to bring up the housing crisis and the Stepping Up initiative. The governor was receptive on both counts. She mentioned her proposed budget includes another $60 million in bonding authority for the LIFT housing program, and she’d be very happy if the Legislature chose to push that amount higher.
I appreciate Governor Brown’s openness and willingness to engage local government leadership. This was the first meeting of this type, but it will not be the last. I’m glad we’ll have further opportunities to help make sure the voices from every corner of Oregon are heard.
Contributed by: Commissioner Bill Hall | AOC President | Lincoln County