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Yamhill County will receive more than $300,000 from the federal government this year as part of a program designed to replace some funding lost by the curtailment of logging on public lands in Oregon, Idaho and Washington decades ago. The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program funnels money for schools, roads, law enforcement and other essential services. It is paid to 31 of Oregon's 36 counties, which lost billions of dollars when the federal government significantly reduced logging in the state in the 1990s.

The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program funnels money for schools, roads, law enforcement and other essential services. It is paid to 31 of Oregon's 36 counties, which lost billions of dollars when the federal government significantly reduced logging in the state in the 1990s. All told this year, $39.3 million will reach Oregon counties, according to a release from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, who co-authored the SRS legislation in 2000, as well as U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter Defazio, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader.

"It is unacceptable that predatory debt collectors have been able to take advantage of this program, diverting funding away from small businesses that desperately need help during this economic crisis," said Bonamici, who was once employed as a consumer protection attorney at the Federal Trade Commission.

Newman, D-La Grange, introduced the bill with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat. Newman said such debt collectors have "violated consumers' rights" and have received millions of dollars in forgivable PPP loans. "Throughout this pandemic, we've seen how predatory debt collectors and lenders have taken advantage of this economic crisis by collecting PPP loans that are intended for America's small businesses, who need the relief and support the most," Newman said in the release.

"Virginia Garcia is a trusted health care provider serving our community, including those most in need," Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici said in the release. "This award of $10.2 million will help us defeat the pandemic, expand vaccinations in an equitable way, make COVID-19 testing and treatment more widely accessible and increase capacity during the pandemic and beyond. I'm thrilled to help deliver these needed federal resources to our community, and I applaud the team at Virginia Garcia for their steadfast leadership during these challenging times."

"Our rural communities need support to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and build back better, and the millions of dollars in SRS payments for Oregon's counties will make a meaningful difference," Bonamici said. "This funding will help pay for essential services and support the schools, roads, and public services that are so important to rural Oregon. I will continue advocating for more resources to help all of our communities thrive."

Oregon U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici tweeted, "I'm hoping the best for the officers and full accountability for the perpetrator."