The City of Hillsboro Councilors listened to a presentation by the City Staff to set out what issues the City will seek to influence at the State Capital this February. The work session, which was held just before the first City Council meeting of 2024, featured a presentation by Government Relations manager Andy Smith. In the letter and presentation, Smith stated:
The 2024 State Legislative Session is scheduled to commence in earnest on Monday, February 5th and is constitutionally limited to 35 days. These “short” legislative sessions are intended tomake budget adjustments and to address truly technical issues with recently adopted legislation. As is common, the 2024 session will include a couple exceptions to the narrow intent of short legislative sessions.
Every year the City of Hillsboro develops a legislative agenda for annual state legislative sessions. Legislative agendas are developed to align with the scope and anticipated content of annual sessions.The City of Hillsboro’s legislative agenda is organized by principles and priorities. Legislative principles are a guide to analyze and take positions if appropriate on all legislation introduced that is not specifically called out on our agenda as a priority. Given the fast-paced nature of legislative sessions, it is imperative that staff utilize guiding principles to quickly provide feedback on the development of specific legislation.
You can review the memorandum presented to the Council right here 1-02 Staff Report
- Promote Safe and Inclusive Communities
- Encourage Coordination and Partnership between State and Local Government
- Support Economic Growth and Invest in Infrastructure
Specifically, during this short session, the City has identified some action items that are a priority, including:
- Make investments in industrial site readiness. Invest $40 million to capitalize the RISIS program (Regionally Significant Industrial Sites (RSIS) program)
- Invest $30 million in Universities, Community Colleges, and K – 12 to expand talent and grow the semiconductor workforce pipeline.
- The City of Hillsboro supports the statewide $25 million funding request for minor league baseball stadium upgrades to comply with new Major League Baseball facility standards. The Hillsboro Hops are a critical economic driver in Washington County and anchors the local sports and entertainment industry.
- HOUSING PRODUCTION AND HOUSELESSNESS – The City of Hillsboro requests $3 million to complete construction on the first year-round emergency shelter in Washington County for individuals and couples.
The Staff at the City seems to work with the City Manager’s office to develop these strategies before they are presented to the City Council. From here, these policy initiatives and talking points will be communicated to specific legislative members identified in the PowerPoint presentation given to the Council in the work session. These are the priorities deemed significant for the well-being of the City of Hillsboro and its citizens.
See the PowerPoint here- 1-02 PowerPoint
$25million va $3million says a lot
Yah—- that part is self evident. Not lost on me. The “Equity for all people” mantra does not really hold up under that fact, does it.
Even $25 million vs. $30 million says a lot. Placing only $5 million more value in educating future generations than in half-filling minor league stadiums makes a considerable statement about civic priorities.
“The Hillsboro Hops are a critical economic driver in Washington County and anchors the local sports and entertainment industry.”
Are they, though? Because it still seems that youth and high school sports are the key sports-and-entertainment driver in Washington County.
Agree. If you take the High School sports just in Hillsboro, the economic impact will be many times that of the HOPS. That was never considered or even looked at. It should not be lost on anyone following this debate that this baseball team has not been able to generate a steady following of fans that can fill the existing stadium. Baseball does not appear to be something Washington County’s people want to support. We are not a baseball community, yet we have had a decade to become one. I can support the HOPS and their desire to exist and thrive here. But that has not happened. Then we have Major League Baseball playing the part of the bully on this whole thing. The Michigan Journal of Economics proved the theory that Baseball in America is dying: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mje/2022/12/20/is-baseball-a-dying-sport/#:~:text=Taking%20the%20general%20viewership%20of,thriving%20even%20in%20stadium%20revenues. What is probing it up appears to be propping it up are corporate sponsorships and uber-wealthy individuals that want bragging/naming rights to “America’s Game”. That, however, is not any way to make a stadium-build decision on a High A team in a place like Hillsboro, Oregon.
There is a huge Rah-Rah event at the HOPS Stadium today for the Media to build inertia for the Short session of the legislature. Get ready for the non-stop press machine!
Rah-Rah…..BUH-BYE KEVIN (K.L) They’re all probably over at Sollman’s house Begging & Pleading. NO to the $15 million!
https://katu.com/sports/content/hillsboro-hops-may-leave-oregon-if-march-15-ballpark-funding-deadline-not-met
Boise won’t get a minor-league team because Hillsboro didn’t pay: They’ll get one because their independent-league team draws close to 3,400 per game while the Hops draw 2,400: https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/09/19/2023-mlb-partner-league-attendance-by-total/
After spending over 25 years on the Glencoe & Tigard H.S. Football sidelines & Jesuit Basketball, I’ll attest that H.S. sports probably drive the economic and certainly the enthusiasm entertainment engine in Oregon. I yawn when even trying to compare H.S. & other youth sports with the thought of watching the Hops turf grow.
FWIW…Look at the political makeup of the “Key Players and Committees”. 8 D’s 4 R’s 1 I. In boxing those numbers would be a split decision – In Oregon it’s Screw you if you ain’t a Liberal Democrat!