Sens. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., have worked closely on a bill to obtain federal funding for transportation projects and urban and community development programs across Oregon. The passage of the Omnibus Appropriations Act by the U.S. Senate on Thursday will provide funding for water treatment, transportation infrastructure, technology centers and community development centers in Oregon.
The bill included several features that will benefit University students and other citizens of Lane County. The Lane Transit Bus Facility will receive $6 million for station improvement, facility maintenance and bus purchase. Another $750,000 is earmarked for area concept development for the Eugene Federal Courthouse. The bill will fund $250,000 for drinking and waste water improvements in Eugene and Springfield. Finally, the Lane County Planetarium Learning Center will net $1 million in federal funding.
“This bill funds a wide range of projects that are important to improving the quality of life in communities throughout Oregon,” Smith said in a statement. It “will provide municipalities of all sizes the help they need to make their communities better places to live.”
The bill must now be considered by a joint House-Senate conference before being sent to President George W. Bush for his signature.

— Jennifer Bear