A Congress not known for reaching agreements is set to vote on a possible solution to the budget problems plaguing Oregon’s timber counties.

Oregon counties that contain large tracts of public land managed by the federal government traditionally shared in the revenues from timber sales. The federal government does not pay property taxes. But as timber sales dwindled, so have county budgets for roads, schools and law enforcement.

The so-called Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act – initially known as the Craig-Wyden Bill after its sponors, Senators Larry Craig of Idaho and Ron Wyden of Oregon – helped fill the gap with direct payments from the federal treasury in lieu of timber revenues. But the act ran its course, and Congress has been reluctant to renew support.

The result: Oregon counties asking voters for more property tax money – or contemplating bankruptcy. “It’s about as grim as ’82,” said Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. “In fact, even more so for the more rural counties in my district because there’s no end in sight.”

A provision in HR 1526: Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act could rescue county budgets by increasing timber production while protecting old growth.

From KVAL News: https://www.kval.com/news/local/Congress-may-act–220416201.html