The Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 4 approved a 2018 Legislative Agenda that prioritizes housing, physical and mental health services and funding, and public safety.
![Multnomah County Director of Government Relations Jeston Black](https://multco-web7-psh-files-usw2.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/small/s3/20171130-Jeston-Black-MN-02_0.jpg?itok=eoZEXq74)
Multnomah County’s Office of Government Relations presented its 2018 State Legislative Agenda at Thursday’s board meeting. The agenda will serve as a guide for County leaders and advocates during the six week session beginning on February 5.
Jeston Black, the county’s new Director of Government Relations and office members, briefly walked the board through the legislative makeup, the process for developing the agenda and the 2018 priorities. View the full presentation
PRIORITIES INCLUDE:
Protect County Safety Net Programs
With a possible State General Fund reduction, vital safety net programs provided by the county need to be protected.
Take Action on Housing and Homelessness
Increase state funding for construction of new affordable, supportive housing, sheltering people experiencing homelessness and housing placement and eviction prevention. Restrict no-cause evictions and lift the preemption on local government regulation of rent increases.
Fund Behavioral Health
Fill the large gaps in mental health service availability and improve the quality of services.
Prevent Gun Violence
Keep firearms away from potentially dangerous individuals by closing loopholes.
Health
Strengthen efforts to reduce opioid crisis addiction. Expand regulation of tobacco sales to curb youth smoking. Protect health care access to children and all Oregonians.
Human Services
Fight poverty with jobs, training and needed services.
Public Safety
Shift public safety funds from expensive incarceration to effective supervision.
Sustainability
Protect Oregonians from toxics in the air and water. Improve efforts to fight climate change, reduce carbon emissions and create clean energy jobs.
Transportation
Seek funding for Burnside Bridge seismic safety improvements.