Smith urges caution with federal stimulus funds

By Terry Murry on Friday, March 19th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

SALEM – The federal government’s third COVID-19 stimulus package is filled with money that is committed to specific uses, like cities, counties, and public education. However, some of the funding is not dedicated.

“There will be about $600 million to $900 million that’s unallocated, meaning the feds did not put any strings on it,” State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) said.

Smith said that such a windfall is a one-time event and should be used with wisdom.

“Those dollars ought to be going into trust accounts to help fund priorities in the future,” he said. “Maybe we set aside dollars for the Oregon Food Bank or the Oregon Historical Society. But set them aside for those important programs that all Oregonians agree need adequate, stable funding rather than just a one-time blitz of money.”