Oregon Congressman Hopes To Restore Funding To Rural Counties
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio is hoping he’ll soon be able to introduce legislation that will help fund rural counties who are bracing for the loss of federal timber payments.
Some counties face insolvency if the Secure Rural Schools Act is not renewed. Congressman DeFazio says he’s working with fellow Democratic Representative Curt Schrader and Republican Representative Greg Walden for a temporary extension. They’re also helping him with a long term plan.
DeFazio says it will put people back to work in Oregon’s second and third growth forests, harvesting timber to raise revenue, and still protect old growth.
“So we don’t look at the prospect of loss of rural sheriff’s patrols, jails, services, road maintenance, other critical things,” DeFazio says. “So, very, very big impact in southwest Oregon, in all my counties, and astronomical impact in terms of the more rural counties, some of which are talking about having to dissolve.”
DeFazio says it’s been tough negotiating with the Republican majority in Congress. But he’s hopeful he’ll have a bill soon.
Copyright 2012 KLCC.
Related Stories:
NIC students, supporters foresee detrimental effects if college loses accreditation
Maximillian Bazler and Megan Hudlet, both students at North Idaho College, sit together between classes as they discuss the possibility of NIC losing its accreditation. (Credit: Kaitlyn Nicholas / NWPB)… Continue Reading NIC students, supporters foresee detrimental effects if college loses accreditation
Nonprofit asks EPA to investigate the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency
Yakima Clean Air Compliance website in Spanish. (Screenshot from the YRCAA website.) Listen (Runtime 1:33) Read A nonprofit organization, Friends of Toppenish Creek, is asking the U.S Environmental Protection Agency… Continue Reading Nonprofit asks EPA to investigate the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency
What we learned from COVID: Delaney Snaadt
When COVID-19 reached the Inland Northwest, few people could have predicted the profound changes it would cause. NWPB’s Rachel Sun interviewed local residents about how the pandemic changed their mental health, lives, and perspective. This is the second in a four-part mini series. Continue Reading What we learned from COVID: Delaney Snaadt
