December 2014 Government & Community Relations Update

Governor's proposed budget and federal omnibus funding package include funds for earthquake monitoring

December 15, 2014
Congress included $5 million in an omnibus funding package for the US Geologic Survey (USGS) Natural Hazards program to begin implementing an earthquake early warning system on the west coast.  The omnibus package passed Saturday with support from President Barack Obama.
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Congress considers one year extension for charitable IRA donation, rejects permanent extension on suspension vote

December 15, 2014
The University of Oregon joined with other higher education institutions and charitable groups in urging Congress to make the IRA charitable rollover permanent.
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Governor's higher education budget increases university funding, funds university construction

December 15, 2014
Governor Kitzhaber's proposed 2015-17 budget, released December 1, would increase state investment into the Public University Support Fund to cover the cost of continuing the tuition buy down from 2013 and to help universities cover cost increases.
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Senate gives final approval to FY15 funding measure

December 15, 2014
In a very rare weekend session, the Senate voted 56-40 late Saturday evening to pass the FY15 $1.1 trillion spending package that funds most of the government through next September.
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