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