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Legislative Matters

OEDA uses the grassroots strength of the association and our members to advocate on behalf of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, during the legislative sessions. Economic developers today need to maintain and enhance the economic development tools in order to remain competitive in an increasingly complicated business environment.

Traditionally, Oregon has used lottery proceeds, bonding authority, and other rmechanisms to establish economic development incentives designed to promote job growth and the strengthening of wages. While OEDA will be broadly supportive of many business development and business climate programs and policies, OEDA will focus its proactive legislative activity in arenas where OEDA can be particularly targeted and effective.

OEDA will be supportive and respective of the business advocacy agendas of other organizations such as the Association of Oregon Industries, the Oregon Business Council, the Oregon Business Alliance, and Oregon InC. OEDA's niche will be focused on the specific economic development programs necessary for economic development practitioners to be effective and competitive in their field.

OEDA proposed Legislative Agenda for 2009 [click here for Powerpoint presentation]

Government Relations Committee

The Board has renewed an agreement with Tonkon Torp to continue governmental relations work into the 2011 Legislative Session. We believe that “early education” will be a critical component to the OEDA work plan this year, providing our members with the details required to have informed discussion about economic development priorities with local legislators well in advance of the session.

We are also prioritizing regular updates to the OEDA membership up to and during the session so we can provide current information on issues that may impact local economic development efforts.

Committee Co-Chairs:

  • Ron Fox, SOREDI
  • Shannon Lopez, City of Gresham

Committee Members:

  • Renate Mengelberg, Clackamas County
  • Ann Hanus, Association of Oregon Counties
  • Theresa Taaffe, PGE
  • Michael Novak, League of Oregon Cities
  • Agnes Balassa, Oregon Workforce Partnership
  • Erik Andersson, Pacific Power.

If you have specific ideas or interests, or would like to participate as a committee member, please contact Ron Fox [mail] or Shannon Lopez [email].
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