[Comm-Council] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Calls on Federal Leaders to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Act

[HOKLIN Lonn * DAS DO]

Lonn Hoklin

Public Affairs Manager

Oregon Department of Administrative Services

503.378.2627

503.428.2169 (cell)

________________________________

From: SHERWOOD Jodi L * Governor's Office 
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 10:27 AM
To: EXEC Net List
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Calls on Federal Leaders to Reauthorize
Secure Rural Schools Act

 

 

 

 

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

May 24, 2007

 

Contacts:

Anna Richter Taylor: 503.378.6169

Jake Weigler: 503.378.6496

Kristina Edmunson: 503.378.5040

 

Governor Calls on Federal Leaders to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools
Act 

Without multi-year reauthorization Oregon counties will be forced to
scale back on public safety, public health, and public libraries

 

Salem - Yesterday Governor Ted Kulongoski issued another appeal to
President Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry
Reid, repeating his call for federal leaders to reach an agreement on a
multi-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community
Self Determination Act, which with its expiration in September 2006
created uncertainty for critical county services for communities across
Oregon and the country.

 

"The failure to reach agreement has left hundreds of counties across the
nation in a state of uncertainty at best, and crisis, at worst," the
Governor wrote. "As I have previously communicated to you, the crisis is
at hand and Oregon needs the federal government to honor a long standing
commitment to counties."

 

Without reauthorization of the Act, 33 Oregon counties won't receive
payments to compensate for lower revenues from reduced timber harvests
on federal land. With the expiration of these payments, counties across
Oregon are scrambling to cover budget shortfalls and laying-off staff
and cutting services.

 

This week Curry County requested the Governor to declare a state of
emergency due to the profound cuts to law enforcement, public safety and
public health services caused by the elimination of the act. Other
counties are contemplating following suit with similar requests for the
Governor.

 

In the letter, the Governor outlined the extreme measures Curry County
will be forced to do without reauthorization of the act. For example, no
sheriff deputies will be able to respond to 911 calls from
unincorporated counties, conduct criminal investigations, make arrests
or patrol country roads. Additionally, there will be only three deputies
to supervise 159 felons who have completed their prison sentences and
are transitioning back into the community.

 

"The impact of the loss of funds may well affect public safety
throughout Oregon's 36 counties leaving the entire state more vulnerable
and less prepared to respond to local emergencies," the Governor
continued. "Oregon has been, and remains, a strong partner to our nation
when in need.  I'm simply asking for the federal government to stand
ready to help our communities in need and uphold its century long
commitment to states."

 

Copies of the letters are available at:

http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/052307SRS_reid.pdf 
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/052307SRS_potus.pdf 
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/052307SRS_pelosi.pdf 

Today the House of Representatives is expected to pass a one-year
reauthorization of County Payments for a total of $425 million
nationally, which if passed by the Senate and signed by the President
would result in fully funding the program for one year.

"This is movement in the right direction, but Congress' work isn't done
- the federal government still needs to pass a multi-year
reauthorization of county payments honoring its commitment to counties
in Oregon and across America," the Governor said today.  "I will
continue to work with Senators Wyden and Reid and Representatives
DeFazio and Walden to keep this issue in the lap of Congress and the
Administration."

-30-

 

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