A significant step to fully reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, otherwise known as county payments, was taken last week by the U.S. Senate.

Led by Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Portland), the Senate voted 75-22 to support his amendment to reauthorize the law for another five years.

“This marks an important victory for the fiscal stability and economic livelihood of rural counties across Oregon,” said Gov. Kulongoski. “A lot of work at the state and federal levels has gone into restoring this critical program, but no one has been a stronger champion for our rural communities than Sen. Wyden. 

“I am grateful for his leadership in the U.S. Senate that delivered this first step toward economic security for our communities.”

The Wyden amendment reauthorizes the county payments program for another five years and fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program.

Under the compromise reached by the U.S. Senate, the reauthorization would provide the same funding during fiscal year 2007 to the counties as they received during fiscal year 2006. Then the funding gradually would decrease by 10 percent per year through 2011 to allow counties time to adjust to the new funding formula.

“The governor and his new Washington, D.C. office played a significant role in this victory for rural Oregon,” said Wyden. “I look forward to continuing this partnership on this issue and on the many issues facing Oregonians today and in the future.”

Added Kulongoski, “Now that the Senate has cleared this important hurdle, our champions in the House and Senate can now come to the table to work together on the conference report to ensure our ultimate success.

“I will continue to work with the Oregon delegation and my fellow governors to make sure this reauthorization gets to the president’s desk for signature so our counties can continue to provide a quality education and safe communities for our citizens,” he concluded.