Looking to the 2020 legislative session

Universities will be focused on two major priorities as they approach the 2020 legislative session. First, because the legislature postponed decisions about capital facilities on individual campuses during the 2019 session, the universities seeking commitments of state-financed bonds for capital renewal and/or new buildings on their campuses. During the 2019 session the legislature did approve $65 million in bonding for capital renewal projects. These funds will be distributed among the campuses according to a mutually agreed-upon formula developed by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). But, in synch with the Governor’s recommendation upon entering the 2019 session, the legislature deferred making decisions about individual campus projects, pending the results of what turned out to be a 280-page 10-year strategic capital development plan commissioned by the HECC. The study assessed the long-term campus trends and needs, and in October the HECC approved the plan. Now, HECC staff have incorporated the findings in recommendations to be considered this week. (These issues will be addressed in Capital Construction below.)

The 80th Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned on Sunday, June 30th, with about six hours to spare before its midnight deadline. Please find a summary of our legislative budget priorities and outcomes of the 2019 Legislative Session here: https://government.oregonstate.edu/sites/government.oregonstate.edu/files/2019_osu_legislative_scorecard.pdf

Jock & Claire

This update provides a summary of the 2019-21 budget for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, including the seven public universities, approved by the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education during its June 11^th meeting. For the Legislative Fiscal Office Report, click here.

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Last fall OSU President Ed Ray endorsed the creation of the Presidential Student Legislative Advocates (PSLA) program with the two-pronged intent of increasing student advocacy in the Oregon legislative process while providing students an opportunity to learn about, and engage in, public policy issues of concern to them.

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With the June 30^th deadline for adjournment just over a month and a half away, the Oregon Legislature is nearing a final vote on a $2 billion revenue package, is considering over 90 amendments to a comprehensive joint “carbon action plan,” and is considering various proposals for addressing housing costs and efforts to control cost increases in the state’s public employee retirement system (PERS).

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The 80^th Legislative Assembly officially convened on Tuesday, January 22^nd. Committees have begun to hold hearings on the well over 1,400 bills that have been pre-session filed. Over the next six months, more than double that number will ultimately be introduced for consideration.

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This update provides a brief summary of Governor Kate Brown’s recommended budget for the 2019-21 biennium, which she released on Thursday, November 28. To review the proposed budget, click here.

For the Oregonian’s coverage, click here.

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This update provides a brief summary of the gubernatorial and state legislative races in Oregon with a forecast for the 2019 legislative session.

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Here is a brief update from your Government Relations Team:

• HECC recommends capital and operating budgets for the 2019-21 biennium
• Statewide measures qualify for the November general election ballot
• An election reminder for public employees

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This update provides an overview of the legislative candidates for a number of key races as we approach the May 15, 2018 primary election in Oregon.

But first, a voter registration reminder:  If you are not currently registered to vote, have moved since the last election, or wish to create or change your party affiliation, you can do so on the Oregon Secretary of State website:  http://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/voteinor.aspx. In order to participate in the primary, you must register (and designate a party if you are currently unaffiliated[*]) by Tuesday, April 24.

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