Last Update:   March 1, 2023

 Contents

State Government

• Legislature moves forward on important housing package
• First economic and revenue forecast of the year

Federal Update

• Senate HELP Committee holds CHC hearing March 2
• Congressional earmark requests

Advocacy Corner

• Behavioral Health Legislative Liasons Needed

State Government 

Legislature moves forward on important package addressing housing: The chairs of both the Senate and House committees on housing came together last week to unveil a $200 million homelessness and affordable housing package. Taken together, HB 2001 (policy) and HB 5019 (funding) put $130 million behind Gov. Kotek's homelessness state of emergency, $27 million specifically towards rural counties, and make several shifts in housing policy. Dig deeper in this joint press release by the House and Senate Majority Offices. The co-sponsors have a lofty goal of sending the bills to the Governor's desk by mid-March.

State economists predict "soft landing," with state revenues up again: On February 22, lawmakers received the first economic and revenue forecast of the year. State economists Josh Lehner and Mark McMullen told lawmakers for the eleventh consecutive time that state revenues are up from the previous forecast (given in November). However, they reiterated concerns from November's presentation that a recession is still possible over the next few years.

During the last forecast, McMullen and Lehner previewed modeling for a "soft landing." With inflation continuing to slow, they expect for us to experience gradual improvements across the economic landscape.

The biggest factor that could disrupt a soft landing will be if the Federal Reserve increases interest rates again (and by how much), which could lead to a mild recession looking more like a "boom/bust" scenario

The next forecast presentation takes place in mid-May, giving legislators one last presentation before they finalize the 2023-25 budget.

Learn more and dig deeper with the resources below:

• Blog post from Office of Economic Analysis (OEA)
• PowerPoint presentation by McMullen and Lehner
• Forecast summary from the Legislative Revenue Office

Federal Update 

Capitol Hill 

Senate HELP Committee to hold a hearing on CHC funding next Thursday, March 2: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is planning a hearing Thursday, March 2 to focus on CHCs’ value and funding needs.  The hearing will likely begin with a review of new research about how CHCs produce savings for the overall health care system; this will be followed by CHCs or PCAs testifying about their experiences and challenges.  Here is a link to the committee page where you can see a witness list and find a link to watch the hearing once the committee releases it.

Now is the time to reach out to Congressional offices with earmark requests:  If your CHC is interested in pursuing an earmark (aka Congressionally-Directed Spending or Community Funding Project) in the FY2024 Appropriations package, now is the time to be in touch with your Senate and House offices about submitting a request.  The Senate has already agreed to its parameters for earmarks, and the House is expected to finalize its parameters within the next week or so.  Within these parameters, each member can set their own internal rules and deadlines, and these can vary significantly across members. You can always reach out to OPCA’s Policy Team with questions or for support.

Advocacy Corner