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County lobbyist warns of big choices in short session: transportation, taxes and public‑health funding
Summary
Deschutes County's legislative update flagged an uncertain short session dominated by transportation debates, possible tax 'disconnect' decisions, housing streamlining initiatives (LC 94) and large public‑health cost pressures that could affect local services.
Doug Riggs, the county's legislative partner, joined remotely to brief commissioners on the short legislative session and issues of direct interest to Deschutes County. He said transportation is the session's dominant topic after a citizen ballot effort put a transportation measure on the horizon; the governor has asked the legislature to repeal a September bill and work toward a replacement, but negotiations remain fluid.
Riggs warned that state revenue forecasts due in the coming weeks will shape what the legislature can afford. He described potential policy changes on taxes—including a possible selective "disconnect" from parts of the federal tax code—and said housing legislation (including a governor's office LC 94 proposal) and local priorities like the OSU‑Cascades health center and rural EMS were also on the caucus list.
He emphasized a looming public‑health funding problem: the Oregon Health Authority reported much higher-than‑expected CCO cost growth and has moved to a 10% cost‑growth target, leaving counties watching potential impacts on public‑health programs and county budgets.
Why it matters: State decisions in the short session could alter the county's fiscal capacity and its ability to sustain public‑health and other services. Commissioners directed staff to track bills and return with recommendations on county positions.
