Document text
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 Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Rogue Rovers founder shows company's electric farm vehicle at White House ... SOCIAL MEDIA: Up in smoke! Photos, videos from Southern Oregon ... Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Rogue Rovers founder shows company's electric farm vehicle at White House ... SOCIAL MEDIA: Up in smoke! Photos, videos from Southern Oregon ... POLITICS Timber payments extension passes U.S. House Jackson County in line for $7.4 million this year Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 26, 2015 at 4:57 PM Updated Mar 26, 2015 at 5:57 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 26, 2015 at 4:57 PM Updated Mar 26, 2015 at 5:57 PM » Social News A two-year extension of timber payments attached to a Medicare reform bill that would give Jackson County about $7.4 million for the 2014-15 fiscal year passed the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday. The measure, approved by a vote of 392-37, was included in a bipartisan bill that reforms how doctors are paid under Medicare. The extension of the Secure Rural Schools program will provide funding for schools, roads and county government in 33 cash-strapped Oregon counties, some of which are at risk of going bankrupt. Much of the money goes to rural areas  with a high percentage of national forests and is designed to make up for lost timber receipts, which were shared with local communities. “Now this is like a can of flat fix: an emergency repair on the side of the road to solve a short-term problem," Second District Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, said on the House floor Thursday prior to the vote, according to a release from his office. "What we really need is a permanent fix for our forested counties. But this is an emergency and what we’re doing today is providing a lifeline to our schoolchildren in classrooms in rural counties that are forested under federal land, and making sure law enforcement have the resources they need." This two-year extension now goes to the Senate. Officials in Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden's office said they expect it to pass. Walden's office said President Obama has announced that he would sign it. The dollar amount allocated to Jackson County would be about 5 percent less than the $7.8 million given in 2013-14. County Administrator Danny Jordan said roughly $3 million of the allocated funds would go into the county's general fund if the bill and extension are signed. The remainder goes to schools and road funds. "That's a very rough estimate," Jordan said. Historically, about 70 percent of county general funds pay for public safety. Jordan added the extension would be welcome news, but that it's still significantly less than the $23 million amount the county was receiving several years ago. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 26, 2015 at 4:57 PM Updated Mar 26, 2015 at 5:57 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