Oregon’s governor is asking the state’s legislates to approve upwards of $500,000 in emergency funding to cover costs associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
According to opd.org, Governor Kate Brown is asking for the funds in hopes of offsetting the estimated $100,000 per week that local and state agencies are spending on law enforcement. A spokesperson for the governors’ office said the number is derived from labor costs for the additional law enforcement presence in the area, including overtime, travel reimbursement, lodging and meals for officers.
“This issue is on federal jurisdiction,” Brown said. “The federal authorities are in control of the situation and I would expect that the state of Oregon would be reimbursed.”
Oregon governor: Armed group’s continued occupation has cost taxpayers nearly $500,000. https://t.co/A32D2iiIvt pic.twitter.com/YCdzNR7TQ5
— ABC News (@ABC) January 21, 2016
Brown hopes that the Oregon taxpayer won’t ultimately be on the hook for the full cost of the supposed occupation.
According to reports, Brown sent a letter to the White House and U.S. Justice Department last week urging a “swift resolution” to the situation. Brown has also been in ongoing conversations with federal officials, but didn’t elaborate on specifics of those talks.
Featured image via AP/Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
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