Item 2D - 2005 Leg.Policies Doc - Laserfiche WebLink

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D. STATE BUDGET Measure 50 impaired the City's ability to provide necessary services to its citizens. The City understands the constraints on the State's General Fund budget, but will oppose cuts in State agencies that would impose substantial burdens on local government or require them to assume services cut by the State. In Eugene-Springfield -- where a State institution, the University of Oregon -- is the largest employer, the community's dependence on the State's financial structure and viability is profound. Local governments are more intricately associated with the State taxation and budgeting structure than is commonly realized. For example, the State's inability to provide adequate funding for human services has had a direct impact on cities, because the demand for services did not disappear. 1. DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION The City deeply appreciates the investments the citizens of Oregon have made, through the Legislature, in facilities and programs at the University of Oregon. These investments have allowed the University to return numerous dividends to the State through education, research and public service. The City encourages increased investment in higher education. 2. DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT The City supports the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) budget for the coming biennium, with special emphasis on providing continued funding of the DLCD-ODOT Transportation and Growth Management Grant Program, full funding of local planning grants and an increased level of technical assistance and data/research capacity within the agency. 3. STATE LIBRARY The City will support legislation to continue funding for the Library Link program. This frees up Federal funds for local library development and meets the purposes of Federal law. The City supports State reimbursement of local libraries that lend to other libraries more materials than they borrow, and continuation of a formula distribution of State aid to public libraries. The amount allocated is very small ($1.00 per child through age 14), but assists in providing some library services targeted to children. 4. DIVISION OF STATE LANDS The City of Eugene participated in the creation of the West Eugene Wetlands Plan which has become a national model for addressing Federal requirements to preserve wetland habitats. Programs administered by the Division of State Lands that support the successful administration of this plan include the Wetland Conservation Planning Program, technical assistance on wetlands regulatory issues, the wetland mitigation banking program, coordination with and representation in Federal wetlands policy processes and wetlands determinations for nonprofit development proposals. City of Eugene Legislative Policies, 2005 Session 16