SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — As sweeping layoffs from the Trump administration continue, some federal funding remains in limbo.
There’s been a lot of confusion around the administration’s efforts to freeze federal funding for states. Currently, a court order has placed a pause on the freeze.
KATU’s Steve Dunn recently interviewed Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and asked her whether there were any Oregon agencies that have been unable to access federal funds right now.
“Yes, several. There’s been a lot of confusion since day one when that all went into effect, and it kind of changes from day to day. My message to folks is, these are Oregon tax dollars going to D.C., coming back for things that we all agree are important,” Kotek said. “Hopefully, they get this figured out. You know, there’s also transition in new administration, but you need to be able to pay your bills, and you need to expect all the dollars that have been promised to the state. So, we’re hoping that all gets fixed.”
Oregon relies on $38 billion in federal funds for things like health care, child care and domestic violence programs, as well as law enforcement grants. If the funding freeze goes into effect and the state can’t get the funds, Dunn asked Kotek what she would do.
“Well first of all, these funds are allocated by Congress. So, I know the president has some goals, Congress approves the money, so Congress will be the ones who will take the money away,” she said. “So I want to see the Congress step in and say, ‘Here are our priorities now,’ and that will take some time. I think what we’re monitoring, trying to understand what the guidance we’re getting is. For me right now, we are continuing the business of the state, focusing on our priorities, and we will take it day by day with what the federal administration is trying to do.”
Oregon continues to battle the fentanyl crisis.
Dunn asked the governor what progress is being made to curb the drug’s use.
“As you know, I was an advocate for the fentanyl crisis, the emergency that we had, that we set up first three months of last year, which brought all the different players in Portland together — law enforcement, community providers, local government to say, ‘What can we do different to work together to address the fentanyl crisis?’” Kotek said. “So we’re seeing less use on the streets, we’re seeing more referrals to treatment facilities and holding folks accountable that are dealing. I have money in my budget for the Oregon State Police to go after the distribution of fentanyl. I think we’re making progress, but frankly, we need to see less fentanyl coming into the country. That’s all. It’s an international issue as well.”
Kotek wants to increase spending in behavioral health.
“Mental health and addiction, sometimes those are co-occurring issues — people both have mental health issues and addiction issues. Again, having the capacity, so when someone needs care, they can get it, a workforce that will support it, but it’s smaller things, not smaller in terms of importance, but maybe less expensive — suicide prevention for youth — our numbers are too high. There’s $1 million in my budget for that. There’s money in my budget for a hotline for ranchers and farmers to call when they are suffering. … So those types of prevention and tools to help people when they’re in crisis is also important,” she said.
On Monday, KATU posted Kotek’s comments on wildfire and state infrastructure funding. Watch those here.
Don’t miss KATU News all this week for more portions of Dunn’s interview with the governor.
