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Lane County policy director outlines state priorities, federal uncertainty heading into 2025 session
Summary
Policy Director Steve Adams briefed the board on state revenue strength, the governor’s housing and behavioral‑health priorities and an uncertain federal outlook that will influence county planning and county lobbying in Washington, D.C.
Steve Adams, Lane County policy director, told the board that state revenues look comparatively robust heading into the 2025 legislative session and that the governor’s budget emphasizes housing, shelter, rehousing and behavioral‑health workforce and capacity.
Adams said the December 2024 state revenue forecast showed a stronger general‑fund position than earlier estimates; the governor’s budget package includes roughly $218 million for ongoing shelter operations, $188 million for rehousing, and roughly $1 billion for housing production, along with a roughly $330 million package for mental‑health and addiction care that includes workforce and capacity investments. Adams said the governor also proposed a $40 million, two‑year biennial investment for behavioral‑health deflection programs.
At the federal level, Adams described a tight political picture and uncertainty triggered by the presidential transition and narrow congressional majorities. He noted that some large federal packages (for example, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act) remain in implementation and that the county expects continued opportunities for directed spending, but he warned that broader federal budget choices and reconciliation work will affect funding flows and policy priorities. "We will be working with our federal lobbyists to really understand what's happening there," Adams said.
Adams emphasized county priorities going into Salem: ensuring pass‑through appropriations to counties for shared services, protecting funding for community corrections and youth services, and advocating to restore or stabilize county funding mechanisms for assessment and taxation. He said the county will continue to press for stable funding for public health modernization and for reinvestment in programs that counties administer.
The board discussed the county’s role in statewide coalitions. Commissioners urged attention to formulas that allocate state road and criminal‑justice funds to ensure that counties with larger road miles or service responsibilities are not disadvantaged. Adams said discussions will continue on transportation finance, including revenue options to address a projected state transportation shortfall and broader conversations about user‑based options such as vehicle‑miles‑traveled models.
Adams also announced a planned county delegation trip to Washington, D.C., in April to pursue directed spending opportunities and federal priorities.
