Press Release: Oregon Governor Advocates for Kicker Use in Wildfire Prevention Funding
SALEM, Ore. — In a significant move, Governor Tina Kotek recently expressed her support for redirecting a portion of Oregon’s anticipated $1.64 billion kicker rebate to fund wildfire suppression and prevention. This idea, touted as a necessary step for safeguarding communities, aims to address the ongoing challenge of wildfires in the state.
Governor Kotek emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that using part of the kicker to finance fire prevention programs is a conversation that must continue among lawmakers. “We need to find resources to fight fires and to prepare our communities better,” she said.
The proposal was initially championed by State Senator Jeff Golden, who underscored the continuous devastation faced by areas like the Rogue Valley due to wildfires. “We have to find a way to fund wildfire programs going forward,” he remarked, stressing the importance of establishing a permanent wildfire trust fund.
Senate Bill 1177, aimed at reallocating the one-time kicker into this fund, could theoretically generate around $165 million every two years — half of what is needed for wildfire management.
Despite the momentum, the proposal has met resistance from Republican lawmakers. House Republican Leader Christine Drazan criticized the redirection of the kicker, arguing that it directly impacts struggling families. “Oregonians need this rebate to alleviate the cost of living. There are alternative funding solutions for wildfire management,” she said.
To pass such a bill, lawmakers would require a two-thirds majority, which presents a challenge for the Democrats, who currently hold supermajorities but lack sufficient numbers for cross-party votes.
As discussions continue, the fate of the bill remains uncertain as both sides debate the best approach to tackle Oregon’s wildfire crisis.
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