Schools in 30 of Oregon’s 36 counties — along with other Western states — will see reduced federal funding in 2025. This follows the U.S. House of Representatives’ failure to reauthorize a 24-year-old bill. This legislation previously allocated up to $80 million annually for Oregon’s schools, roads, wildfire prevention, and conservation efforts.
In Montana, 32 counties received $16 million in 2023, as per U.S. Forest Service data.
The bipartisan Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, first passed in 2000, was reauthorized by the Senate in November. However, House Republicans could not agree on funding methods amid efforts to pass a stop-gap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, resulting in no vote on the rural schools bill, explained Hank Stern, spokesman for Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. Wyden expressed concern over the lack of funding approval, citing potential hardships for rural communities.
Wyden stated, “Oregonians living and working in counties that have long relied on millions in federal Secure Rural Schools funds will needlessly and unfortunately enter 2025 with an uncertain fate for those resources when it comes to local schools, roads, law enforcement and more.”
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, a Republican and advocate for the bill, shared Wyden’s frustration, saying, “Senator Wyden and I worked diligently to secure SRS funding for rural counties.”
The Secure Rural Schools Act has historically distributed hundreds of millions to counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico, supporting those with federal land. These funds help cover services as federal land usage generates revenue for the government. In the West, the funds have offset budget shortfalls from reduced logging and timber revenue since the 1990s. Oregon has received $4 billion from this funding over 24 years.
In 2023, Oregon counties received nearly $74 million under the act. U.S. Forest Service data shows Alaska’s 12 counties received $12.6 million; Idaho’s 34 counties got $25 million; Montana’s 32 counties received $16 million; Washington state’s 25 counties received about $18 million.
Wyden and Crapo have alternately championed the bill, with Wyden leaning on Crapo for support in the Republican-controlled House. Crapo, soon to lead the Senate Finance Committee, pledged continued advocacy for the bill in the upcoming legislative session. Wyden, transitioning to the ranking member role, also affirmed his commitment to securing these investments promptly.
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