SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Senate will debate a measure that urges Congress to continue federal funding for timber counties.
The measure, which is to be discussed Wednesday, asks Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
Timber counties in Oregon rely on federal payments to replace revenue that has declined as fish and wildlife protections, such as limited logging, have increased.
Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho and Montana all have large amounts of national forests and other federal lands, and have been the biggest recipients of money from the Secure Rural Schools and Communities payments.
