Oregon Lawmakers Seek Innovative Funding Solutions for Wildfire Management
Oregon’s wildfire crisis has prompted a concerted effort by lawmakers and industry representatives to secure new funding for the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). After a record-breaking wildfire season in 2024, which left 1.9 million acres scorched, ODF exhausted its budget, resulting in the Oregon State Treasury denying a short-term loan request. In response, Governor Tina Kotek convened a special legislative session, successfully securing a one-time allocation of $218 million to cover immediate expenses.
Recognizing ongoing financial challenges, the Legislature assigned a Wildfire Funding Work Group, consisting of 35 members, to explore sustainable revenue sources ahead of the 2025 session. The goal is to raise at least $140 million annually for firefighting and mitigation efforts.
State Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), a work group leader, proposed a contentious potential funding source: a one-time diversion of Oregon’s personal income tax rebate, known as the "kicker." In an op-ed for The Oregonian, he suggested using kicker funds on a sliding scale, promising long-term wildfire protection in exchange. However, this proposal has drawn criticism for appearing as a "kicker theft" and faces challenges given its popularity among residents.
Alternatives for funding include raising the Bottle Bill deposit, reallocating insurance taxes currently going to the general fund, and tapping into the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The work group is also mulling over a landowner assessment as part of broader solutions.
While some ideas have been dismissed, such as taxing property or hotel transactions, the work group aims for equitable solutions. ODF spokeswoman Joy Krawczyk stresses the necessity of creating sustainable funding strategies that address Oregon’s escalating wildfire threats while minimizing impacts on lower-income residents. The work group’s findings will be presented to the Legislature on February 18.
This report is produced with contributions from the Oregon Journalism Project, dedicated to delivering impactful investigative reporting across the state.
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