Oregon Public Broadcasting

Close to 500 representatives of cities across Oregon are meeting in Salem Friday. The League of Oregon Cities annual summit is being held this year in the face of tough economic news. Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

The economic slowdown has hit central Oregon cities more than most.

Bend has gone through three rounds of layoffs, including 11 jobs cut just this week. Redmond eliminated five positions. And Crook County laid off three employees.

Mike McCauley is the executive director of the League of Oregon Cities.

Mike McCauley: “Generally, the whole economic situation and the financial stresses that cities are under is an ongoing topic of conversation. Bend’s not alone in terms of fiscal pressure.”

McCauley says another topic that has been brought up is 2007 ethics reform legislation that resulted in many city resignations in rural Oregon.

He says the League has developed a legislative proposal to change the ethics rules, including eliminating the requirement to identify your family members to the state.