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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 6, 2006 County stumps for timber subsidy Jackson County Commissioners C.W. Smith and Jack Walker are in Reno lobbying for a continuation of money that is due to cease in September By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Intense lobbying of lawmakers will be needed to bolster chances of renewing a federal forest timber subsidy that helps keep local libraries open and sheriff’s patrols operating. "It‘s all held up in Republicans’ hands now, because some Republicans don’t want it," said Jackson County Commissioner Dave Gilmour, a Democrat. "If lobbying has to be done it is going to be Republicans on Republicans." Commissioners Jack Walker and C.W. Smith, both Republicans, are going to a National Forest Counties and School Coalition annual meeting this week in Reno, Nev., to show strong support for reinstating the timber subsidy, which expires this September. The program pumped $24 million into Jackson County this year as well as other counties in the U.S. that were once dependent on timber harvests to support their local economies. Smith, who noted he doesn’t believe this is a partisan issue, said there will be a strong effort to push for the county payments’ program and to identify "who the legislators are that are dragging their feet." Advertisement Smith and Commissioner Jack Walker expressed some concern about Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, whom they described as being lukewarm to renewing the timber money. Smith speculated that Craig’s concerns might be over some procedural aspects of the timber subsidy, not necessarily opposition to it. Walker said he believes that the legislative delegation from Oregon would rally to support continuation of the program, and downplayed Gilmour’s reservations. "We’re hoping to keep this nonpartisan," he said. Walker is concerned, however, about a new proposal from Southern states to reallocate the county payments, potentially shifting some of the money away from Oregon. Gilmour said Oregon and other Western states receive more federal money because they have larger amounts of federal land. More than 50 percent of the land in Jackson County is owned by the federal government. "There has always been a concern that states from the Midwest and South could see how much money goes to Oregon and Washington and be jealous of us," said Gilmour. Gilmour also cited Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith as another Republican who hasn’t been as active as others lately in supporting the county payments program. "He’s just been silent over the last six months to a year, whereas (Sen. Ron) Wyden’s office and (Rep. Greg) Walden’s office and (Rep. Peter) Defazio’s office have been aggressive," he said. R.C. Hammond, a spokesman for Gordon Smith, said the senator remains involved in reinstating the program. "It’s interesting that they think he’s backed off it," said Hammond. "He’s very much an advocate for getting the payments back in place." However, Hammond said the senator has been more realistic in his assessment of the future of the county payments program, which might be misinterpreted by county commissioners. "He’s just being a little more frank with them in saying that you really need to plan for this," he said. "It’s tough medicine." Hammond said the senator would like to make more federal land available for timber harvests, which would boost the local economy and pump more money into county coffers. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Gordon Smith will be well-positioned to push for reauthorization of the federal payments. "He’s definitely ready for the fight," said Hammond. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail County stumps for timber subsidy ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos GMAT Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement