"Hillsboro's federal and state lobbyists gave an update to the City Council last week onlegislative successes and failures in the past year in Salem and Washington D.C.
Hillsboro had high hopes going into Oregon's 2013 Legislative session and with a renewed energy in pursuing its interests at the federal level.
The stakes were high with major transportation infrastructure needs in North Hillsboro forthcoming -- the top priorities of which total $76 million -- and concerns related to the future of a significant state income tax sharing program.
At a base level, Hillsboro sought to raise its profile in the nation's capital and in Salem. Jeff Markey, federal lobbyist with McBee Strategic Consulting, said the goal was to move Hillsboro out of its status as merely a bedroom community of Portland and "make it a standalone community."
While it is a multi-year effort to break through on the federal level, here's a look at some of the major issues.
The lobbyists
Tonkon Torp LLP, Hillsboro's statewide and regional lobbying firm, was paid $92,855 in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, according to city officials. The city budgeted $102,000 for the firm in 2013-2014.
McBee Strategic Consulting, the city's federal lobbying firm, was paid $80,071.36 in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, and the budget will remain at $80,000 for the current fiscal year.
The issues
Transportation remains the key issue for Hillsboro at both the state and federal level, continuing a trend for the past two years.
Securing transportation funding for major road projects, such as the expansion of U.S. 26 between the Cornelius Pass Road and 185th Avenue exits is the top priority. That project could cost $30 million, according to city transportation officials, and would likely be phased in, with west-bound traffic paved first.
Hillsboro is pursuing both state and federal transpiration funding for the widening.
Water is also a big issue. The Willamette River is the officially designated secondary water source of the future for Hillsboro, but the city hasn't given up on funding for the Scoggins Dam. The 2014-2015 legislative docket includes increased advocacy for seismic and safety improvements to the dam at Henry Hagg Lake.
Report card
In a mixed bag of a Legislative session in Salem, one of the successes, according to Tonkon officials, was defeating a bill that would have redefined Rural Strategic Investment Program areas. Hillsboro hopes to use that incentive program to attract businesses to North Hillsboro.
Meanwhile, Hillsboro's stake in the future of Gain Share, the state income tax sharing program, is well-documented. The Legislative session didn't decide on the ongoing discussion about how or whether to change the program's formula.
Inga Deckert, the state's lobbyist with Tonkon Torp, said although Hillsboro pursued a "very aggressive agenda" in Salem, monitoring some 400 bills, it avoided any major losses, she said, noting there was no "significant piece that would erode local control."
-- Andrew Theen"
The stakes were high with major transportation infrastructure needs in North Hillsboro forthcoming -- the top priorities of which total $76 million -- and concerns related to the future of a significant state income tax sharing program.
At a base level, Hillsboro sought to raise its profile in the nation's capital and in Salem. Jeff Markey, federal lobbyist with McBee Strategic Consulting, said the goal was to move Hillsboro out of its status as merely a bedroom community of Portland and "make it a standalone community."
While it is a multi-year effort to break through on the federal level, here's a look at some of the major issues.
The lobbyists
Tonkon Torp LLP, Hillsboro's statewide and regional lobbying firm, was paid $92,855 in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, according to city officials. The city budgeted $102,000 for the firm in 2013-2014.
McBee Strategic Consulting, the city's federal lobbying firm, was paid $80,071.36 in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, and the budget will remain at $80,000 for the current fiscal year.
The issues
Transportation remains the key issue for Hillsboro at both the state and federal level, continuing a trend for the past two years.
Securing transportation funding for major road projects, such as the expansion of U.S. 26 between the Cornelius Pass Road and 185th Avenue exits is the top priority. That project could cost $30 million, according to city transportation officials, and would likely be phased in, with west-bound traffic paved first.
Hillsboro is pursuing both state and federal transpiration funding for the widening.
Water is also a big issue. The Willamette River is the officially designated secondary water source of the future for Hillsboro, but the city hasn't given up on funding for the Scoggins Dam. The 2014-2015 legislative docket includes increased advocacy for seismic and safety improvements to the dam at Henry Hagg Lake.
Report card
In a mixed bag of a Legislative session in Salem, one of the successes, according to Tonkon officials, was defeating a bill that would have redefined Rural Strategic Investment Program areas. Hillsboro hopes to use that incentive program to attract businesses to North Hillsboro.
Meanwhile, Hillsboro's stake in the future of Gain Share, the state income tax sharing program, is well-documented. The Legislative session didn't decide on the ongoing discussion about how or whether to change the program's formula.
Inga Deckert, the state's lobbyist with Tonkon Torp, said although Hillsboro pursued a "very aggressive agenda" in Salem, monitoring some 400 bills, it avoided any major losses, she said, noting there was no "significant piece that would erode local control."
-- Andrew Theen"
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