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Eugene staff, council lay groundwork for 2027 legislative priorities focusing on housing, transportation and behavioral health
Summary
City staff briefed the council on the intergovernmental relations process and asked for direction on priorities for the 2027 legislative session, prompting councilors to push for housing‑infrastructure funding, transportation revenue that preserves city shares, and continued support for behavioral‑health stabilization and shelter programs.
Mayor Knutson convened a July 8 work session to review the city’s approach to setting 2027 state and federal priorities, during which Ethan Nelson, Eugene’s intergovernmental relations manager, described how council strategic goals are turned into focused legislative asks.
Nelson told the council that staff use the adopted strategic plan and a state/federal policies guide to identify where the city should take positions and to coordinate with legislators. “We’ve had a very tight agenda for 2026 state priorities,” Nelson said, adding that prior alignment helped the city secure discretionary funds and that staff aim to bring a realistic, implementable agenda to Salem.
Councilors raised several priority areas they want reflected in the proposed 2027 package. Councilor Clark asked the council to press the legislature for funds that would expand infrastructure capacity to unlock buildable land for housing. Clark said she wants the city’s priorities to reflect a stronger request for infrastructure so “we can make more housing possible in our community.” Nelson confirmed that housing infrastructure remains part of the city’s policy priorities and said staff will incorporate Clark’s direction into the proposed priorities.
Councilor Keating urged the city to press for resources for traffic calming and Vision Zero safety projects, stronger statewide privacy protections for residents, and specific recognition of local safe‑sleep sites and the statewide Imagination Library program. Nelson said the state appears likely to pursue a bipartisan transportation package and that Eugene will advocate to preserve the current revenue split so cities retain their share of any new funds.
Councilor Kaczynski asked about opportunities for councilors to advocate directly during fast-moving sessions. Nelson described the role of the mayor and the IGR committee in representing Eugene in Salem and the practice of briefing the mayor as the chief elected official for in‑person engagement.
Several councilors also flagged other items they want IGR to track, including cross‑jurisdictional work on ambulance transport financial stability and support for the Lane County behavioral‑health stabilization center. Nelson said staff will continue coordinating with county partners to avoid competing requests for the same funding streams and to align Eugene’s support where helpful.
Nelson reminded the council that statutory deadlines and legislative calendars shape when concepts must be submitted and that many large efforts are multi‑year endeavors requiring early alignment with legislators. The session concluded with staff committing to fold the council’s input into a proposed priorities package that the IGR committee and council will review later in the year.
Next steps: staff will return to IGR and the full council with a proposed 2027 priorities list and recommended advocacy tactics, including opportunities for councilors to testify or meet with legislative contacts when appropriate.
