City Focus

Latest Episodes:

EP 12: Greg Evans, LOC Board President Feb 07, 2019

Show notes

LOC Board of Directors President, Greg Evans stops by the studio and we talk about his goals for the upcoming year, his many years of distinguished public service and the unique perspective he brings to his role as LOC board President as well as his election to the National League of Cities Board of Directors.

Special Episode 11: City Day at the Capitol Feb 01, 2019

Show notes

City voices were front and center Thursday, January 24 at the Capitol as nearly 200 city officials, representing approximately 100 cities across the state, gathered in Salem for "City Day at the Capitol." As part of the event, mayors, council members, and city managers met with legislators to discuss the League's 2019 legislative priorities. These face-to-face meetings are invaluable, allowing city officials to personally tell their story to legislators and underscore city issues as legislators deal with the crush of approximately 2,000 bills.

Attending city officials also heard from state leaders, including Governor Kate Brown and Senate President Peter Courtney

Throughout the day, I had the opportunity to talk with quite a few elected officials who spent the day in Salem. Here's what some of them had to say about City Day and why it 's a valuable and important event to attend.

LOC's Inter-Governmental Relations Assistant, Jenna Jones stopped by the studio for a chat about City Day: how it works, how it went and why your city ought to participate.

Show Notes:

Jenna's email: jjones@orcities.org

How To Track Bills During Legislative Session - CM3 (Part 1)

How To Track Bills During Legislative Session - OLIS (Part 2)

How to Track Bills During Legislative Session By Jenna Jones, Intergovernmental Relations Assistant

Audio clips in order of appearance:

Governor Kate Brown
Senate President Peter Courtney
Government Affairs Consultant from the City of Wilsonville, Greg Leo
Cottage Grove Council President and LOC Board Vice President, Jake Boone
HD 25 Representative Bill Post
Mayor of the City of Dallas and OMA President, Bill Dalton
House Speaker Tina Kotek
Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger, Jr.
House Republican Leader Carl Wilson

EP 10: Jim McCauley, LOC Legislative Director Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, I'm joined in the studio by Jim McCauley, the LOC's new Legislative Director. Jim and I talk about his new role at the League, his goals for the Intergovernmental Relations team and the unique perspective he brings to the job.

Jim's email: jmccauley@orcities.org

EP 09: Third-Party Building Inspection Preservation Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, I'm once again joined by LOC Lobbyist, Erin Doyle for a conversation about Third-Party Building Inspection Preservation…Erin and I discuss this fundamental issue and how the League will clarify the ability of local governments to have private party building officials and inspectors provide services and work to assure that decisions on these provisions are at the discretion of local officials.

Erin's email - edoyle@orcities.org

EP 08: Right-of-Way & Franchise Fee Authority Preservation/Broadband Investment Dec 27, 2018

Show notes

On this episode, former LOC Legislative Director, Craig Honeyman is in the studio for a conversation about Right-of-Way & Franchise Fee Authority Preservation/Broadband Investment…Craig and I discuss this wide-ranging issue and how the League will seek to protect the status quo in terms of local authority to manage public right of ways and further ensure that the ability to receive just compensation from occupants of those right of ways is maintained.

Show Notes:

FCC Sets Rules for 5G Infrastructure, Limiting States and Local Control

FCC-CIRC1809-02
MINET (MINET is a local telecommunication network delivering high-speed Internet access, digital (HD) television and telephone to Monmouth and Independence, Oregon. MINET is a public utility, guided cooperatively by a consortium comprised of the City of Monmouth and the City of Independence.)
A to Z pages on the LOC webpage – examples of model ordinances that apply to utilities and telecommunications entities.
Craig's email: choneyman@orcities.org

EP 07: Public Infrastructure Investments Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

On this episode, LOC lobbyist Tracy Rutten sits down for a conversation about Public Infrastructure Investments…Tracy breaks down this multi-faceted issue and we discuss how the League will work during the 2019 legislative session to maximize both the amount of funding and the flexibility of funds available to meet the immediate and long-term needs of cities across the state.

EP 06: Housing and Homelessness Improvements Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

On this episode, I'm joined by LOC lobbyist Erin Doyle for a conversation about Housing and Homelessness…Erin breaks down this complicated issue and we discuss how the League seeks to provide tools and resources to address this statewide issue.

Show Links:

November 2018 Local Focus

Erin's email

EP 05: PERS Reform Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

On this episode, LOC lobbyist Scott Winkels sits down for a discussion about PERS Reform… Scott and I talk about how PERS is currently underfunded by $22 billion…what that mean to employers and how the League will work with member cities to provide rate relief.

Show note links:

Scott's Email

PERS Rates

EP 04: Property Tax Reform Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

On this episode, LOC lobbyist Wendy Johnson discusses part one of the League's second legislative priority, Revenue Reform and Cost Containment. For cities, revenue reform is focused on property tax reform. Property taxes are the largest source of revenue for cities, with $1.39 billion collected in FY 2017-18. The League's ultimate goal is a constitutional referral to voters and a companion bill that makes statutory changes to reform the property tax system.

Show note links:

Wendy's email address

2017-18 Oregon Department of Revenue Property taxes statistics

EP 03: Mental Health Investment Oct 18, 2018

Show notes

On this episode, LOC lobbyist Scott Winkels discusses the first of six League legislative priorities – Mental Health Investment. The League will advocate for adequate resources to protect and enhance the services available to persons suffering from mental health conditions.

Links:

Local Focus from December 2014 discussing mental health

Scott's email address swinkels@orcities.org

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