Stimulus bill could boost county coffers
By Terry Murry on Friday, March 5th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Umatilla County Board of Commissioners Chairman George Murdock is keeping his eye on the $1.3 trillion COVID stimulus bill before the U.S. Senate. He says this area’s lawmakers tell him Umatilla County can really benefit as the package stands now.
“They say Umatilla County is going to get $15.3 million,” he said. “I don’t even know how to say that in terms of help that might come to the county. It’s not exactly something we’re accustomed to.”
Murdock said they are working on not just getting accustomed, but spending it wisely.
“We’re starting to put together a plan on just how we can utilize the money to make a real impact on the county,” he said.
The first stimulus bill didn’t help the county nearly as much as anticipated. While big cities received their funding directly, the federal government gave the rest to the state for it to distribute.
“So much of it went to the state of Oregon that we didn’t see much,” Murdock said. “A little bit flowed our way, but a lot of it didn’t get east of Troutdale.”
