U.S. House fails to reauthorize 20-year-old bipartisan bill to fund rural schools, communities

Chiloquin Elementary School pictured here is part of the Klamath County School District. Klamath County is one of 30 counties in Oregon that will not receive millions in federal money from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act in 2025, after U.S. House Republicans failed to renew the bill for the first time in 24 years. (Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Editor’s note: The Capital Chronicle has launched a $10,000 end-of-year fundraising campaign to help us continue our first-class coverage next year. A lot is at stake, and there’s a long legislative session in 2025. We’re completely dependent on donor dollars, which are tax deductible. Please contribute to us if you can.

Schools in 30 of Oregon’s 36 counties — and schools in other Western states — will receive less federal funding in 2025 after the U.S. House of Representatives failed to reauthorize a 24-year-old bill that typically pays up to $80 million a year for schools and roads in Oregon along with wildfire prevention and conservation work.

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS