Oregon committee approves millions in emergency funding

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A key Oregon legislative committee has approved millions of dollars in funding for urgent issues facing the state, ranging from affordable housing to grasshopper and cricket suppression. The largest slice of funds, $100 million, will go to the Public Defense Service Commission, which oversees the state’s public defenders. Lawmakers also allocated $30 million for health insurance for long-term care providers, $5 million for affordable housing grants and $1.2 million for cricket and grasshopper suppression in rural regions. The Emergency Board provides state agencies with funding during the interim between legislative sessions.