Possible aid extension met with skepticism

The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA: "Commissioners from counties across Oregon that are dependent on federal timber payments reacted warily to the news that they might get a year's extension of the payments.

In Coos County, which has released about 70 jail inmates and laid off dozens of employees in different departments, Commissioner Nikki Whitty was skeptical Friday that there would be any reason to restore the county cuts.

'It's a big if,' Whitty said of the bill that passed a U.S. House committee on Thursday. The bill would continue the timber payments, which make up $7 million of Coos County's $13 million general fund. 'We'd like to have the check in hand.'"