|
LOC Resolutions for 2004
These resolutions were adopted at the League's annual business meeting in November 2004. Together, with the 2002 Oregon Municipal Policy and Board resolutions, they form the guidelines for the League's legislative lobbying team.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Collective Bargaining
Health Care Costs
Water Rights
Resolution: Opposing Collective Bargaining Changes That Would Increase Cities' Personnel Costs
WHEREAS, controlling personnel costs is a major component of city financial stability; and
WHEREAS, the League, working in the 2003 legislative session with other local government associations, narrowly defeated several collective bargaining bills that would have substantially increased the cost of, and weakened the ability to effectively manage, public safety employees; and
WHEREAS, it is likely that there will be an attempt to pass these changes when the Legislature returns for the 2005 Legislative Session; and
WHEREAS, criteria in the legislation devaluing the "interest and welfare of the public" as a consideration for the arbitrator and deleting any consideration of other government services in establishing what funds are available to pay for the union contract is unconscionable; and
WHEREAS, allowing an arbitrator to decide on city police and fire staffing and equipment levels preempts the role of local government; and
WHEREAS, expanding membership in police and fire bargaining units to include supervisory employees makes it difficult to effectively manage police and fire departments; and
WHEREAS, there is currently equilibrium – a 50-50 split in arbitration decisions between labor and management; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the League of Oregon Cities opposes efforts to preempt city authority to manage public safety personnel, costs and policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the League transmit copies of this resolution to the governor and all members of the Legislature and all candidates for legislative office.
Approved at the LOC Annual Meeting November 6, 2004
Resolution: Controlling Health Care Costs
WHEREAS, the cost of employee health benefits, including insurance premiums and prescription drugs, continues to escalate; and
WHEREAS, the trend of increased costs of medical benefits in excess of the rate of general inflation shows no sign of abating in the foreseeable future; and
WHEREAS, both private and public sector employers are struggling to provide these benefits to employees while remaining financially viable; and
WHEREAS, steps to manage these costs may result in fewer benefits to employees or increases in employee contributions, eroding the quality of care or family wage jobs, respectively; and
WHEREAS, unburdensome access to health care is important for a healthy population and a productive economy; and
WHEREAS, employers have taken steps to control these costs through plan changes and pooling, but further cost control is largely beyond the control of employers; and
WHEREAS, city resources are restricted due to property tax limitations and other statutory and practical constraints; and
WHEREAS, restricted resources necessitate that as a city's costs increase, its workforce and/or services provided to city residents must be reduced;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the League of Oregon Cities calls on the 73rd Legislative Assembly to enact laws that have the effect of relieving pressure on the cost of employee health benefits, including prescription drugs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT these changes must provide municipal employers the flexibility to determine the plan designs that best suit the needs of their employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the League of Oregon Cities supports legislative efforts to make health care more accessible and affordable to all Oregonians.
Approved at the LOC Annual Meeting November 6, 2004
Resolution: Security for Municipal Water Rights
WHEREAS, a prime responsibility of local government is to provide water for Oregon's citizens and businesses; and
WHEREAS, cities are required to plan for the long-term water resource needs of their communities; and
WHEREAS, cities have obtained water rights approved by the Oregon Water Resources Department to meet the long-term needs of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Oregon Revised Statutes recognize the unique long-term needs of municipalities with respect to water supply; and
WHEREAS, the economic future of Oregon depends on cities' ability to provide infrastructure for businesses and industries such as water; and
WHEREAS, as an example, the Oregon Court of Appeals' April 21, 2004 decision in the case of Waterwatch of Oregon v. Water Resources Commission, Water Resources Department & Coos Bay North Bend Water Board critically jeopardizes the ability of cities to obtain new surface water rights as well as maintain and develop existing rights issued by the Department;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the League of Oregon Cities joins the Oregon Mayors Association in urging the Oregon Legislature and the Governor to clarify Oregon Revised Statutes to maintain the ability of cities to develop their water rights and obtain new water rights for their long-term development needs.
Approved at the LOC Annual Meeting November 6, 2004
|
League of Oregon Cities
1201 Court St. NE •
Salem, OR 97301
800-452-0338 •
503-588-6550
Fax: 503-399-4863
loc@orcities.org
|
|
Products & Services
Yellow Pages
Job
Openings
Current Surveys
Request for
Proposals
Classifieds
|
A - Z Index
Site Help