The Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution on January 20, 2011 outlining its collective legislative priorities for the 2011 Legislative Session. The adopted document reflects the county's pledge to work collaboratively with state leaders to ensure quality services reach those who need them despite expected budget shortfalls. The board is also seeking more autonomy to create new revenue streams. A printable pdf version of the agenda is available below. 

MULTNOMAH COUNTY STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2011

Counties across Oregon are facing an unprecedented challenge to provide core public services during this economic crisis and we recognize that this task will become even more difficult in the months ahead as the State grapples with a $3.5 billion deficit for the 2011-13 biennium. This is a challenge we must address together. Our ability to provide services – everything from public safety to health care to roads and bridge maintenance – affects the economic vitality of our region and state. Our 2011 legislative agenda reflects our determination to work in partnership with state leaders to find new and more efficient ways to deliver services and to seek opportunities and tools to solve problems at the local level.

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2011

Public Safety

Our Public Safety System includes the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, and Department of Community Justice. We are responsible for the successful reentry of adult offenders, juvenile crime prevention, patrol, the county jail system, and prosecution. Nearly 50% of our county general fund budget is spent on public safety.

• Corrections: Support strategies for reducing the cost of corrections in Oregon. Promote, with adequate funding, effective supervision in local communities.
• Gang Intervention: Preserve and enhance funding for critical gang intervention programs, including the East Multnomah County Gang Enforcement Program.
• Juvenile Services: Preserve state funding for Multnomah County to safely manage juvenile offenders in the local community and increase access to residential placements.
• Pre-trial Services: Oppose legislation to reinstate the bail bonds industry in Oregon, which would weaken public safety and the pre-trial service system.
• Human Trafficking: Support efforts to prevent victimization of children and provide support services for children who have been victimized.
• Court facilities: Support the creation of a court facility construction account as part of legislation to reform court filing fees. Courthouses throughout the state are in dire need of repair or replacement. Rather than depending upon State General Funds, those who use the facilities will help pay the costs.

Health and Human Services

We are the public health and mental health authority and are responsible for providing a broad range of safety net services for our community. This includes early childhood services, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment, disease prevention, and services to help seniors and the disabled to live independently. We operate seven health clinics and thirteen school based health centers. We are responsible for disease prevention and immunization services.

• Seniors and People with Disabilities: Support updated workload methodology to ensure adequate funding for case management. Currently, counties are only paid 90% of the state cost and are not funded for the full caseload. Support changes to the Senior/Medical Tax Deduction to help fund Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
• Health Care Integration: Work with state leaders on efforts to integrate and coordinate the delivery of physical and mental health care, oral care, long-term care and community “wrap-around” services. Coordinating these services will ultimately lower costs and improve the health of the community.
• Affordable Housing: Maintain document recording fee resources for affordable housing. Increase funding for the Emergency Housing Account to expand our capacity to address homelessness. Support programs that increase opportunities for affordable housing.

Community Services

We provide essential services like road and bridge maintenance, land use and transportation planning, elections, and animal shelters.

Elections:

• Support the Government Efficiency Task Force recommendations to eliminate precinct committee person elections.
• Monitor reform efforts that move the registration deadline to a date closer to the election.

Transportation: Support appropriate updates to HB 2001 and ensure that revenues are maintained for the Sellwood Bridge project.

Revenue Stability

At a time when State General Fund dollars are limited, local governments needs more tools to solve problems at the local level.

Lift Preemptions: Support legislation to lift preemptions and other restrictions on local government, including the preemption on local tobacco taxes. This will allow counties to address local problems at the local level without the use of State General Fund dollars.

Shared state revenue: Preserve counties’ share of state liquor, lottery and tobacco revenues, which help fund local public safety, health and other essential services.