LOC News
Record Attendance Highlights City Day at the Capitol
It was nearly four years to the day when the LOC and Oregon Mayors Association (OMA) last held an in-person City Day at the Capitol. This time around, 250 mayors, councilors, and city staff from across Oregon, representing every LOC region statewide, assembled at the Salem Convention Center on January 25 for a full day of advocacy and training. The program was highlighted by remarks from Governor Tina Kotek and members of the state’s new legislative leadership.
The LOC added two new educational components to this year’s program, including “Lobbying 201,” and “Strategies for Securing State Funding.” Part of the afternoon segment included a deeper discussion on economic development incentives, and a presentation on regulating public spaces relative to the current statewide homelessness crisis. Before the evening reception, representatives from multiple state agencies were on hand for meetings with attending city offficials. The new content was added to the City Day agenda this year to comply with policies at the Capitol that limited access to the building due to ongoing construction and seismic improvements.
By all accounts, it was one of the most successful City Day events in recent memory, as LOC members had a chance to meet with their legislators in the Capitol and during the evening reception, which was attended by more than two dozen legislators and their staff.
In the days and weeks to come following City Day, contact with legislators will remain critical. For LOC members, a grassroots lobbying effort will need to be maintained throughout this year. Participation in City Day at the Capitol is a great first step, and contributing testimony will always be helpful, but in-district follow-up with legislators will be critical to advancing every city’s issues and reinforcing the LOC’s legislative priorities.
Contact: Jim McCauley, Legislative Director - jmccauley@orcities.org
Last Updated 1/27/23