Gov. Tina Kotek announced Thursday evening that is considering vetoing a controversial $45 million appropriation for the Willamette Falls Trust, which is seeking to buy 60 acres of property at the iconic waterfall between Oregon City and West Linn.
In a carefully worded statement, Kotek’s office put the trust on notice Thursday that the appropriation it got during the legislative session’s final days is in jeopardy.
“The governor supports the opportunity of creating public access to the natural wonder that is Willamette Falls, from both sides of the falls,” Kotek’s office said. “She is exercising her due diligence to understand more fully the use of these dollars and wants to hear more from all interested parties. She has been a supporter of creating public access to the falls in the past and is committed to dedicating public funding that builds that access in the most equitable, responsible manner possible.”…