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15 <br /> 1 The Board discussed proposed issues and considered approving a resolution regarding <br /> 2 items proposed for inclusion in the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' <br /> 3 (NCACC) 2019-2020 Federal Legislative Agenda and authorize the Chair to sign. <br /> 4 <br /> 5 Greg Wilder, Manager's office, presented this item. <br /> 6 Chair Dorosin asked the BOCC to consider items that did not make the list last year. <br /> 7 Commissioner Price said this is going to the National Association of Counties (NACo), <br /> 8 and she serves on some steering committees. She said several of these issues are going to go <br /> 9 forward already: workforce development, housing and community economic development, and <br /> 10 ending homelessness for Veterans. <br /> 11 Commissioner Price said broadband is throughout NACo, especially in rural counties, <br /> 12 and is going to go forward. She said the Stepping Up initiative will probably also go forward as <br /> 13 it was part of the previous President's initiative. <br /> 14 Commissioner Rich said there is not consensus on the broadband issue on the NACo <br /> 15 technology steering committee because of the rural/urban divide. She is hopeful that this <br /> 16 discussion will come around to allow for more progress. <br /> 17 Commissioner Rich agreed with Chair Dorosin to put forth prohibiting discrimination on <br /> 18 the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. She said she also wanted to see Medicaid <br /> 19 for all put forward, and does not know why it is not already on the list. <br /> 20 Commissioner Jacobs said there is a good range of federal programs already, but he <br /> 21 would suggest adding the Parkland Preservation Trust Fund, which does not have a dedicated <br /> 22 funding source. <br /> 23 David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> 24 Director, said this is called the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). <br /> 25 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there are success stories from previously promoted <br /> 26 legislation, and how the County has been most effective in the past. <br /> 27 Chair Dorosin said he sees Orange County's role as staking out the left pole from NACo <br /> 28 and North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), by promoting those issues <br /> 29 that other counties may not promote. <br /> 30 Commissioner Marcoplos said he agreed with this, and would consider putting forth just <br /> 31 3 items to create greater focus. <br /> 32 Commissioner Rich said Chair Dorosin expressed this same sentiment in agenda <br /> 33 review, and suggested promoting 5 items. <br /> 34 Commissioner Price said this list shows how many counties are in favor of a particular <br /> 35 item. She said she would also add Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and social <br /> 36 services block grants to the list. <br /> 37 Commissioner Jacobs said this list is more like when the Board passes resolutions: it <br /> 38 makes a statement for the residents and values of Orange County. <br /> 39 Chair Dorosin said to try and create a list of 5 issues. <br /> 40 Commissioner Marcoplos suggested: <br /> 41 • National marshal plan to mitigate climate change <br /> 42 • legalize marijuana (Commissioner Rich added to rescind arrest for minor criminal <br /> 43 acts associated with marijuana) <br /> 44 Commissioner Price said something connected with immigration, but she is not sure <br /> 45 how to frame it. <br /> 46 Chair Dorosin summarized the issues he is hearing as most important: <br /> 47 • Dedicated funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program <br /> 48 • Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity <br /> 49 • Increasing the federal minimum wage to $15/hour <br /> 50 • Medicaid for all <br />