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AMC's
Intergovernmental Services staff perform a variety of services for
member counties. From overseeing development of the AMC Legislative
Platform to working with state agencies and discussing county concerns
with state legislators, policy analysts work year-round on often complex
issues that have significant ramifications on county budgets.
Platform Development
Every two years, AMC adopts
a new legislative platform, which coincides with the biennial
legislative session. This platform broadly outlines AMC’s vision, as
well as eight to 10 basic principles underlying any legislative
positions. Under each of the basic principles are specific statements
supporting policies and outlining action statements, which form the
basis for AMC policy analysts’ lobbying efforts during the legislative
session.
The AMC platform
encompasses virtually all areas of county concerns, including financing
of human services programs, administration of jails, county board
authority, funding for health and long term care services, economic
development, affordable housing, agriculture policy, solid waste
management, transportation financing, the county/state fiscal
relationship and many other areas.
Development of the
platform is based largely on the recommendations of our five AMC Policy
Committees, which meet at least four times during the year to refine
policies related to their respective areas:
General Government,
Health & Human Services,
Environment & Natural Resources,
Public Safety
and
Transportation.
More than 130 delegates serve on these
committees. Each member county is represented by at least one delegate
on one of the four policy committees, with committee assignments
determined by each of 10 AMC districts. Each district selects delegates
to serve on each policy committee. The committees often make use of
subcommittees to delve into specific topics and provide the larger
committee with background and recommendations.
County officials and staff
have additional input into the platform during district meetings, which
occur at least two times per year. During fall district meetings,
counties receive copies of the draft platform and are invited to submit
resolutions and amendments to the platform. Both the draft platform and
any proposed resolutions are voted on during the AMC Annual Meeting,
which takes place during the AMC Annual Conference in late
November/early December.
While the platform forms
the groundwork for the policy analysts during the legislative session,
it is important to note that the platform is always a "work in
progress." Changes are considered by policy committee members throughout
the following year, with our March Legislative Conference providing an
opportunity for the full delegate assembly to revise the platform.
Activities at the State Legislature
More than 80 percent of all
bills introduced to the Minnesota State Legislature have some sort of
impact on counties; consequently, the legislative session proves to be
an intense few months for AMC policy analysts. They work proactively to
incorporate county concerns into legislation and reactively as they
respond to proposed bills that would positively or negatively affect
county government. The analysts attend House and Senate committees, talk
with legislators and their staffs, and correspond regularly with other
local government entities.
Policy analysts spend
a good deal of time in communicating with counties, whether it be
through faxes and the
AMC Update electronic newsletter.
Because the county message is often best heard when delivered by
commissioners in legislators’ own areas, counties are often called upon
to contact their own legislators to share their concerns directly.
Working with State Agencies, Other
Entities
Counties don’t operate in a
vacuum, and neither does AMC. Staff, committees and volunteer leaders
meet often with state agencies and other local government entities on
joint areas of concern. AMC is active on many intergovernmental
organizations, where we work closely with representatives of state
departments such as Human Services and Corrections. State officials are
often invited to speak before AMC Policy Committees as delegates
struggle with policies or gather background information. AMC works
closely with other local government associations, such as the League of
Minnesota Cities, since changes in legislation and/or policy often also
affects them. |
