Eastern Oregon officials press Ways and Means for capital construction funding, including fairgrounds, recreation centers and water projects

Local elected officials, school-district leaders and nonprofit executives used a Ways and Means public hearing at Eastern Oregon University to press for capital construction dollars for a slate of regionally focused projects.

Union County and Fairgrounds: Union County Commissioner Paul Andres and Commissioner Matt Scarf urged the committee to fund the Union County Fairgrounds project, describing it as both a capital construction priority and an item on the county's standalone House Bill 2527 request. "I have a shovel in my truck," Matt Scarf said, offering to start construction if the funding is approved.

Ontario Recreation Center: Andrew Maeda, speaking on behalf of Mayor Debbie Fulton and the Ontario Recreation District, said the project is "shovel ready" and has raised local matching funds including over $1 million in grants and private donations; he asked the committee for state matching capital funds to complete the Ontario Community Recreation Center.

Teacher housing and school housing: Shane Alderson, chair of the Baker County Board of Commissioners, requested $876,000 for two duplexes to provide staff housing for the Pine Eagle School District; the project was described as shovel ready with infrastructure already in place.

City of Echo: Chad Ray, mayor of Echo, detailed two requests: $2.5 million to finish potable water-system upgrades (treatment equipment, booster pumps, backup generator, tank retrofit) and a $6 million request for a pedestrian rail crossing to connect the community and provide safe access to the school, citing repeated safety incidents where trains block town access.

Baker City and wastewater: Baker City officials asked for capital funds to change how treated effluent is applied and to secure additional approved sites and infrastructure so the city can stop discharging into the Powder River; the city manager said funding would speed the work to cease river discharges.

Other capital asks: Commissioners and local leaders from…