ORCA LAUNCHES ONLINE RURAL POLICY INITIATIVE
The Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) has launched an online initiative to gather input from rural Texans across the state regarding policy recommendations and ideas to improve quality of life in rural communities. The agency is asking rural Texans to contribute ideas and suggestions online at:
http://www.orca.state.tx.us/index.php/Home/Policy+Recommendation.
ORCA is particularly interested in four key focus areas: economic development, community development, health care, and housing. ORCA will offer these comments to the Texas Legislature at the beginning of the upcoming legislative session.
The agency is charged with the task of identifying and prioritizing policy issues and concerns affecting rural communities in the state in consultation with rural community leaders, locally elected officials, state elected and appointed officials, academic and industry experts, and an interagency work group. It is also charged with making recommendations to the legislature to address the concerns affecting rural communities.
ORCA works to strengthen rural communities and assist them with community and economic development and health care by serving as the central source for rural programs, services, and activities so that governmental resources are delivered efficiently and with the best possible results for the state's rural residents.
As the state agency dedicated solely to rural Texas, ORCA makes the broad resources of state government more accessible to rural communities. ORCA was created by the 77th Legislature to ensure a continuing focus on rural issues, monitor governmental actions affecting rural Texas, research problems and recommend solutions, and administer rural-focused state and federal resources. For more information, visit ORCA online at www.orca.state.tx.us.