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Jackson County commissioners, state legislators plan more cooperation By Vickie Aldous Nov 27, 2022 12:15 AM A A Jackson County commissioners and members of the Oregon Legislature from Southern Oregon plan closer communication for the upcoming 2023 legislative session. [Associated Press / file photo] In a show of bipartisan cooperation, Jackson County’s three Republican county commissioners and several Republican and Democratic members of the Oregon Legislature agreed to meet regularly and cooperate when they can on issues affecting Southern Oregon. “We want to be very focused on issues that affect Jackson County and be able to collaborate with our entire legislative contingent,” said Jackson County Commissioner Rick Dyer. He said county commissioners and local members of the Oregon Legislature won’t agree on everything, but they start from a shared foundation of wanting to benefit Jackson County residents. County commissioners met this week with state Sen. Jeff Golden and state Rep. Pam Marsh, both Democrats, and Republican state representatives Kim Wallan and Emily McIntire. They all agreed to have a commissioner meet with legislators via videoconference once a month. The elected leaders could work together on a range of issues, from wildfires and smoke to illegal marijuana and hemp grows. Golden said Jackson County commissioners have proven they can help at the state level. Commissioners backed efforts to expand the Oregon Department of Forestry’s mountaintop system of cameras that detect wildfires while they’re still small. The upgraded camera network helped firefighters find and snuff out more wildfires, contributing to a successful fire season, Golden said. “From my point of view, your input on that was significant,” Golden told county commissioners. County Commissioner Colleen Roberts said the increased cooperation will be a new way of doing things. “We’re excited about moving ahead as partners with you on the issues that will be before the Legislature,” Roberts said to the state legislators. Earlier this month, county commissioners met with state Sen. Dennis Linthicum and state Rep. Christine Goodwin, both Republicans, about increased cooperation. Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan said commissioners and county staff are willing to go to Salem to testify on issues to help improve outcomes that impact Southern Oregon. Jordan said Jackson County government only disagrees with state legislators from Southern Oregon a small portion of the time. Sometimes differences can be ironed out by proposing minor fixes to bills before they become law, he said. “I’m delighted you’re opening the door for more regular communication,” Marsh said. While they’re at the Oregon Capitol in Salem, it’s not unusual for state legislators to have call-in or videoconference meetings with local leaders back in Southern Oregon. Legislators have had meetings with Medford City Council, Ashland leaders, school superintendents, chambers of commerce and others. Regular communication with state legislators could be even more valuable for Jackson County in the upcoming 2023 legislative session. Jackson County is no longer a member of the Association of Oregon Counties, the lobbying arm for the state’s 36 counties. Jackson County was paying almost $60,000 in annual dues to AOC, and with the AOC drawing down its financial reserves, those dues were likely to increase, Jordan said. AOC wasn’t doing the lobbying work Jackson County wanted on forest management issues, and AOC used road funds it diverts from counties on non-road issues, Jordan said. He said up until the early 2000s, Jackson County had a state lobbyist and a federal lobbyist that together cost about $140,000 annually. Since then, the county has occasionally hired lobbyists to work on specific issues but hasn’t had a staff lobbyist. State legislators who met with county commissioners this week noted Portland has paid lobbyists, plus a large number of legislators because of its bigger population. Jordon said state legislators from Southern Oregon can help be the eyes and ears for Jackson County in Salem, and Jackson County can help by supporting the efforts of state legislators on issues that impact local residents. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.