Wyden, Merkley Announce February 23rd Deadline for Appropriations Applications
Senators team up to implement transparent, inclusive Oregon appropriations process
Washington, DC - Teaming up to usher in a new era of transparency and accountability for federal appropriations spending in Oregon, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that their offices will employ a new appropriations process that will allow every Oregonian the opportunity to evaluate all appropriations requests from within the state. All Oregonians seeking appropriations will be required to use a standardized form. Information from the forms that are submittedwill be published on the senators' websites where Oregonians will be invited to weigh in with their thoughts on each request.
"We are now experiencing a very difficult economic stretch where tax dollars are extremely scarce at the very time that they are desperately needed to stimulate and stabilize the economy," said Wyden. "We believe that a truly transparent, inclusive appropriations process will help restore the public's confidence in the role of Congress in re-building our economy and preserving our communities."
"It's so important for Oregonians that we have two senators who will work together throughout the appropriations process. It's equally important that we do this work in as transparent a manner possible," said Merkley. "I'm proud to join with Senator Wyden on this initiative to bring a new level of openness to funding requests - public scrutiny will help ensure the government invests resources wisely."
The Senators announced in a letter to all cities, counties and prior appropriations requesters a deadline of February 23, 2009, for the completion and receipt of all applications for funding. Appropriations requests submitted after that date will not be accepted by the senators due to deadlines imposed by the Senate appropriations subcommittees.
A copy of the letter sent to requesting agencies follows below:
February 3, 2009
Dear Oregonians:
As Oregon and our nation hit this difficult economic stretch, tax dollars will be extremely scarce. Because they are desperately needed to stimulate and stabilize the economy, it is more important than ever that we have a truly transparent, inclusive appropriations process.
To help bring that transparency and streamline the process, our offices will be employing a new appropriations process that will allow every Oregonian the opportunity to evaluate all requests from within the state. All Oregonians seeking a federal appropriation will be required to use a single, standardized form. The information provided on each request will then be published on both senators' websites, where Oregonians will be invited to weigh in with their thoughts.
In addition, we have set a new joint deadline of February 23 for the completion and receipt of all applications for funding. Our offices will NOT accept requests submitted after that date.
We know Oregonians will agree that improving efficiency and transparency will help restore the public's confidence in the role of Congress in re-building our economy and preserving our communities. We look forward to working with folks across the state and will work very hard to advocate for the projects we choose to submit throughout this long and difficult process.
If you have any questions or comments with regard to your project, please contact any of our offices located around Oregon.
Sincerely,
Ron Wyden Jeff Merkley
United States Senator United States Senator
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