Item 3: Follow-up on 2009 Legislative Policies

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City of Eugene Legislative Policies for 2009 Oregon Legislative Session II. FSLG INANCING TATE AND OCAL OVERNMENT ?Eugene supports termination of state preemption of local taxes. ?Eugene supports the use of System Development Charges (SDCs) to fund capital improvements for police, fire, schools and other local government services affected by new development. ?Eugene supports the adequate funding of the State’s “Rainy Day Fund” to provide revenue stability. ?Eugene supports increases in the corporate minimum income tax. ?Eugene supports enhancing existing funding levels for state programs that are allied with and support public park and recreation agencies and programs; and maintaining park and recreation agencies’ eligibility for funding in existing programs and promote eligibility for funding in new programs. ?Eugene supports opportunities to create innovative alliances with existing agencies and partners to develop new ventures with private, commercial, non-profit and public organizations that will promote recreation programs and park facilities operation and construction. ?Eugene supports maintaining the current budget appropriation for the Local Government Grant Program within the State Parks budget. ?Eugene opposes actions that would erode local flexibility in initiating revenue sources. ?Eugene opposes actions that would preempt a cities’ authority to raise revenue unless cities are reimbursed for lost revenues or increased costs. ?Eugene opposes actions that would reduce revenue or increase costs to cities. ?Eugene opposes actions that would negatively impact the ability for local governments to assess, collect, and use Park SDCs for growth related improvements including such provisions as limitations on charges, inappropriate changes in methodology, and/or elimination of Park SDCs. ?Eugene opposes actions that would divert constitutionally designated Measure 66 Lottery funds from park uses. State tax policy has direct and indirect effects on the financial welfare of Oregon’s cities. The adoption and subsequent implementation of Ballot Measures 5 and 47/50 has substantially changed cities' approach to certain financial issues. With control of property taxes slipping further from local governments, it is imperative for cities to retain and expand both the revenue-raising authority and the revenue sources available to cities and for city residents, through their officials, to be able to determine the types and levels of services needed. 5