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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Host families forge lasting friendships with returning Britt musicians ... Our View: Sams Valley residents outmatched in power struggle ... Ashland struggles with increase in 911 calls ... Host families forge lasting friendships with returning Britt musicians ... Our View: Sams Valley residents outmatched in power struggle ... Ashland struggles with increase in 911 calls ... Senate joins House in approving county timber payments bill Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 12:41 PM Updated Apr 15, 2015 at 1:03 PM Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 12:41 PM Updated Apr 15, 2015 at 1:03 PM » Social News The U.S. Senate passed a bill Tuesday that includes an extension of payments to Oregon timber counties that have seen a dramatic decrease in logging on federal lands because of environmental concerns. The county payments legislation was included in an unrelated measure that adjusted and made permanent the formula for paying doctors and other health care providers who treat Medicare patients. The measure already has been approved by the House and Oregon congressional members say President Obama has indicated he will sign it. Jackson County would receive about $7.4 million from the measure, down from $7.8 million in 2013-14. County Administrator Danny Jordan previously said roughly $3 million of the allocated funds would go into the county's general fund. The remainder would go to schools and road funds. When the payments were first enacted, Jackson County received $23 million. The two-year renewal of the Secure Rural Schools program is expected to bring about $85 million to Oregon counties.  “The badly needed extension of county payments is a lifeline for our rural communities," Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said in a release. "We need a long-term solution that will create more jobs in the woods and get more logs to the mills while protecting our environment — but we also need a bridge to get us there. This extension will make a crucial difference for schools, roads and public safety in Oregon." Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, sponsored the legislation in a measure that initially sought a three-year extension. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, was among the leaders of the effort to pass the bill in the House. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 12:41 PM Updated Apr 15, 2015 at 1:03 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501