Document text
http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: March 8, 2007 County funds may be included in emergency bill By Mike Green Ashland Daily Tidings A one-year extension of a federal safety net program for counties and schools is likely to be included in a proposed supplemental budget in the U.S. House of Representatives, a House aide said this morning. A formal announcement is expected later today. Danielle Langone, spokeswoman for Rep. Peter DeFazio, said there are no details at this time but "it's something we're pretty sure will be in the emergency supplemental bill." Langone cautioned that nothing is official and DeFazio is still waiting to hear the details of the bill. The Mail Tribune first reported the deal on its Web site this morning. The extension would extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000. The aide said a formal announcement would be made later today. The supplemental budget still must be approved by Congress. Without the federal safety net that expired last year, Jackson County loses $23 million annually, forcing the closure of libraries, cuts in search and rescue, and reductions in road maintenance and other government services. As a result of the cuts, all of Jackson County's 15 library branches were slated to close on April 6. Jackson County Commissioners went to Washington, D.C. in a week-long lobbying effort to restore all or part of the funds. Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. and Ron Wyden, D- Ore. led a failed filibuster effort last week to draw attention to the drastic effect cutting these funds would have on Oregon, particularly in rural areas. Andrew Whelan, press secretary for Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, said this morning, "We're not sure about specifics, but if its in there (the extension of the emergency bill) the congressman's efforts together with (Rep.) Peter DeFazio over the past year were successful. The nearly 100 members that Walden and DeFazio got to sign onto a letter requesting the one-year extension must have had some influence. "If its true, it shows a team effort has paid off. It gives Congress more time to pass a longer term solution," he said. Walden, Whelan said, has proposed a seven-year reauthorization of the program. This emergency extension is expected to provide the same funding as last year. Editor's note : A spokesperson for Greg Walden confirmed the inclusion of the emergency funding in the supplemental bill, but cautioned that the bill has a number of steps to go in the House and then repeated steps in the Senate. Current Comments: At least we still have spotted owls - I guess we do. I've never actually seen one. Donna D. - Ashland OR - March 8th, 3:57 PM So nobody understood that this act was going to stop in 2007? No one was preparing for the end of the federal handouts for the lack of timber revenue? (I didn't think it was a secret). The members of Congress smirked at Oregonians when they came crying on the floor of the Senate. Crying foul for the "children of Oregon" and their libraries. "Oregon has been getting the lions share of these handouts" They said. "In fact we're concerned that it is an unequitable distribution of these funds FormerAshlandTimberman - McCall, ID - March 8th, 6:05 PM Haven't the good people of Oregon been preparing for this eventuality? We didn't think so. O.K. we'll fund you again (maybe) for another year but that's it. Time to be self sufficient." Like parents having to push their 32 yr old out of the house I mean really, c'mon. The influx of radicalism in Oregon (epitomized by the "new" Ashlanders) has driven this great State to begging for the mercy of the federal government. Crying for mercy in front of the nation. Chuckles and smirkes from Congress. FormerAshlandTimberman - McCall, ID - March 8th, 6:05 PM They know exactly what's infected Oregon (that's certainly no secret),and they've got all the time in the world to let it play out. It would make for a great reality show if it wasn't so tragic. Especially for the good, hard working, responsible, community oriented, folks that are left. The survivors of the greatest plague to hit the State. I wish them luck, they're going to need it. FormerAshlandTimberman - McCall, ID - March 8th, 6:05 PM This is a supplemental appropriations bill that is likely to be either vetoed by Bush or not pass the House, or not pass the Senate, or not pass the reconciliation process. Why is this the lead story? Come on Tidings, use some judgement. Why is this top of of the fold in the hard copy? John Enders - Ashland OR - March 8th, 9:58 PM Glad to know our elected representatives are working in the interest of Oregonians. Editorial note to the Tidings: You should either extend the 500 character limit, or hold posters to it by deleting subsequent posts. The timbermans 3 consecutive posts above illustrate that it is a futile or unenforced convention. He essentially made his point in the first post, and used two subsequent merely to reiterate his disdain for the "new" residents of the state he fled. Should I write this twice more? 1 of 100 - Ashland - March 8th, 10:18 PM What happened to the drive to stop earmark spending in congress? Is this the same supplemental that will finance the Iraq war? David Hill - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 6:51 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us