Wyden, Merkley Announce $49M In Secure Rural Schools Funds

Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Monday that nearly $49 million in retroactive federal funding is headed to Oregon counties.  The money comes from the Forest Service for fiscal year 2024, following passage of their bipartisan bill reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools program late last year.

While Secure Rural Schools has been on the books since 2000, funding for the program expired in September 2023, and counties in Oregon and across the nation have gone without payments since early 2024.

Although the reauthorization bill passed the Senate, it stalled twice in the House, delaying critical funding for rural schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure projects.

It's About Damn Time

“Secure Rural Schools is a lifeline for rural communities in Oregon and across the country,” Wyden said. “It’s about damn time these funds get distributed to the counties that need them, and this lapse in funding is exactly why we need a permanent solution to get rural communities off the financial rollercoaster and ensure they have the funds they need, and that’s what I’ll be focused on in the months ahead.”

“SRS payments are a lifeline for rural communities here in Oregon and across America, supporting our schools, public safety, and wildfire preparedness,” Merkley added. “This nearly $49 million in federal funds ensures counties with federal forest lands have the resources they need to stay safe and resilient.”

Each Northwest State Will Receive Retroactive Funding

Click Here for a breakdown of funding for each Oregon county, as well as counites in Idaho and Washington receiving funding.

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