Deschutes County officials say end of Oregon legislative session could leave transportation, wildfire and behavioral-health requests unfunded

Deschutes County officials warned Friday that the Oregon Legislature’s accelerating end-of-session pace could leave several county priorities underfunded, including transportation projects, wildfire response and a proposed youth psychiatric facility for Central Oregon.

On a county legislative update call, Doug Riggs, speaking on behalf of Deschutes County, said the Legislature has signaled that “sine die is imminent,” allowing committees to post hearings with as little as an hour’s notice and making rapid action likely in coming days. “It is beginning to feel like the end of the session,” Riggs said.

The county’s update came as commissioners and staff reviewed several issues that remain unsettled in Salem. Commissioner Chang said she was “just waiting to see where the chips land on transportation and wildfire funding.” Another participant, Kevin, reported he had been tracking two bills he was following and that “Senate Bill 85 did pass,” while other measures remain in limbo.

Why it matters: Deschutes County relies heavily on state transportation funding and has prioritized a Central Oregon youth psychiatric residential facility in its budget asks. Riggs…