Coastal Caucus Helps Secure Additional $500,000 for Salmon Fishermen

Subcommittee Approves Funds, Full Emergency Board To Finalize Plan Friday.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Sen. Joanne Verger (D-Coos Bay), chair of the Oregon Legislature’s Coastal Caucus, announced today that the state would be providing $500,000 in additional emergency funds for Oregon fishermen. The new appropriation, which was approved this morning by the General Government Subcommittee of the Emergency Board, brings the total amount of state relief to $1,000,000.

“Throughout the summer, we have worked closely with the Governor and our fellow legislators to provide meaningful relief for coastal fishermen and their families,” said Verger. “We are extremely grateful that the Legislature will now make additional funds available to the hardworking fishermen who have endured such severe restrictions this season.”

In addition to Sen. Verger, the bipartisan Coastal Caucus includes Sen. Betsy Johnson, Sen. Jeff Kruse, Rep. Deborah Boone, Rep. Alan Brown, Rep. Wayne Krieger, Rep. Arnie Roblan, and Rep. Brad Witt.

If the subcommittee’s recommendation is approved tomorrow, which is expected, $500,000 in legislative Emergency Funds will be allocated to the Economic and Community Development Department, with funding determinations to be made by the Department of Agriculture. The funds will provide direct cash assistance to fishermen affected by the closure of fisheries on the coast. The new funds are in addition to the $500,000 allocated in June from the Governor’s strategic reserve.