Lane County Commissioners Pete Sorenson and Faye Stewart met with United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in Portland today along with members of Oregon’s Congressional Delegation and other Oregon county commissioners to lend their voices to the critical effort to reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Act funding.

This meeting is significant for Oregon leaders who are working together to secure this federal funding that sustains essential health and public safety services, in addition to providing needed revenue for schools.

The sole focus of today’s meeting was Secure Rural Schools reauthorization.

“The chance to speak directly with a member of the White House Administration about the issues facing our communities is an incredible opportunity,” said Commissioner Faye Stewart. “We are hopeful for the inclusion of Secure Rural Schools in the President’s 2012 budget. However, the optimism we feel is tempered with the understanding that our very near future remains challenging as our organization prepares for the next fiscal year without this funding.”

Getting into the President’s budget is key to the success of the campaign to reauthorize Secure Rural Schools.

The Secure Rural Schools Act of 2000 was initiated by Congress. The Partnership for Rural America is managing the effort to reauthorize the funding, and its highest priority is getting this program into the President’s 2012 budget. Secretary Vilsack, whose department oversees the United States Forest Service, plays a vital role in this effort through his ability to make budgetary recommendations to the President.

Today’s briefing included remarks from Senator Ron Wyden, Congressman Peter DeFazio, Congressman Greg Walden, Congressman David Wu and Congressman Kurt Schrader.

Commissioners Sorenson and Stewart joined with more than 40 other commissioners present at the meeting. The President of the Association of Oregon Counties, Judge Steve Grasty of Harney County, and the President of the Association of O&C Counties, Commissioner Doug Robertson of Douglas County and Commissioner Sorenson were among those that provided remarks to the Secretary.

Amber Fossen

Public Information Officer

Lane County Government

125 E. Eighth Ave.

Eugene, Oregon 97401

541.682.3718

541.359.9143 (cell)