GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Rural county officials were happy to see the Senate pass a one-year extension of federal timber payments, but know full well that they are not out of the woods on closing their budget gaps.
The extension is attached to a federal transportation bill, and the ultimate fate of the full legislation is uncertain.
Douglas County Commissioner Doug Robertson says he hopes there are enough jobs in the transportation bill to get the House to pass it. He adds Douglas County would still face a gap of $2 million to $3 million if the extension becomes law, forcing them to make more cuts or tap reserve funds.
Josephine County Commissioner Simon Hare said that even if the Senate bill becomes law his county also would still be millions of dollars short.
