Oregon lawmakers introduced end-of-session bills Thursday that are crammed with money for infrastructure, construction and a wide array of other projects that would be unfathomable in almost any other state budget cycle.
Millions of dollars for fire districts to hire apprentices and for recovery and rebuilding projects in communities impacted by the historic 2020 wildfires. Hundreds of millions of dollars for affordable and other housing for the state’s most vulnerable residents. Hundreds of millions more for water infrastructure. Grants to help build community and aquatic centers around the state, expand museums and support an animal crimes forensic center. A new forensic lab for the Oregon State Police.