Re: Wallowa-Union
Author: Erik H.
Date: 12-04-2013 - 21:34
SP5103 Wrote:
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> Oregon Lottery money has also been used for track
> rehab projects on government owned shortlines. Not
> sure why Lottery instead of Connect Oregon funds
> were used.
ConnectOregon is a fairly new thing, and it's basically nothing more than ODOT's credit card - the state sells bonds to generate the money, then it's handed to the recipients. Used to be $100 million for a two year period, it's been whittled down to just over $40 million and now the Portland bike lobby got their hands on it.
The Oregon Lottery was intended, from day one, to be used for economic development. So fixing up old railroads was squarely a part of the Lottery's intent...but over the years, special interests got their hands on it, so now the Lottery gets to fund "watershed improvements", schools, state parks (just go to the Fair and see all the "Your Lottery Helps Support the Oregon State Fair" signs) and a bunch of other stuff.