Legislators lend ear to counties

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SALEM — A legislative delegation will meet with local officials in five Southern Oregon counties — but not Jackson County — next month to get a better understanding of their financial plight.

The counties are facing the loss of federal payments authorized by Congress to replace lost timber revenues. Although an effort in Congress promises to renew it, the current Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act expires June 30.

"It is critical that legislators in Salem understand the challenges facing Oregon's rural counties," said House Speaker Jeff Merkley, D-Portland. "We can do that best by getting out of the Capitol and learning about those challenges first hand."

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is offering an amendment to legislation financing U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that would fully fund the program another year, then gradually phase it out by 2011.

That would give the counties time to find replacement revenue.

Lawmakers will be in Josephine County April 19, Curry and Coos counties on April 20 and Lane County on April 21. The location and time of each session will be announced later.

Asked why Jackson County was left off the list, Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said time constraints forced the leadership to limit their visits to those jurisdictions facing the greatest losses.

Merkley said his office was looking into video-conferencing some of the sessions with other counties. Thirty-two of the state's 36 counties receive the in-lieu payments, with some rural counties relying on the program for more than 60 percent of their discretionary general funds.

"We recognize that the congressional proposal is an interim plan," Merkley told a news conference. "We need to look at what help we as legislators can give during the transition period."

Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, said the leadership is well aware of the problems in Jackson County, with the closure of the libraries framing the issue. "But if Jackson County is in crisis, Josephine and Coos counties are in desperation," he said.

Among the legislators who will make the tour are Merkley and Courtney, the chairmen of the House and Senate revenue committees; Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown, D-Portland; and Republican leader Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day; along with several other committee chairs and vice-chairs.

Rep. George Gilman, R-Medford, vice-chair of the House Transportation committee, is the only Jackson County legislator taking part.

Don Jepsen is a freelance writer living in Salem.

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