Gov. Kotek asks Trump administration to withdraw proposed federal grant rule
Gov. Tina Kotek has asked the Trump administration to withdraw a proposed federal rule affecting how federal grants are awarded and managed, warning that it could give political appointees greater control over grant decisions.
In a July 14 release issued from Salem, the Oregon Governor’s Office said the state submitted formal comments opposing the proposal. Kotek also requested that the public-comment period be extended by at least 90 days.
The rule remains a proposal. The governor’s release does not describe it as having taken effect, and it does not report that federal grants have been cut because of the proposal.
Oregon’s objections to the proposal
Oregon’s comments argued that the proposed rule would politicize federal grantmaking. The state also said the change could create additional bureaucracy and threaten federal partnerships.
Kotek’s request combines two actions: withdrawal of the proposal and more time for public comment. The requested extension is for at least 90 additional days, according to the Governor’s Office.
The release represents Oregon’s formal policy position on the proposed federal action. It identifies the Trump administration as the administration receiving the request and concerns a federal grant-management process involving the Office of Management and Budget.
Funding and government operations at stake
The proposal could affect billions of dollars in federal grants, according to the state’s description of the issue. Those grants are relevant to the way Oregon and local governments receive and administer funding for essential services.
The Governor’s Office did not provide a precise dollar amount for Oregon funding that could be affected. It also did not identify specific grant programs or say that any existing award has been reduced or withheld.
Oregon’s stated concern is therefore directed at the proposed structure for grant awards and management, rather than an announced cut to a particular state or local program.
What is known about next steps
The immediate procedural step identified by the state is the public-comment process. Kotek asked for at least 90 more days for comments, but the release does not say whether the federal government granted that request.
No final federal decision, implementation date or enforcement action is described in the release. Whether the proposal will be withdrawn, revised, extended for further comment or finalized was not stated.
Sources
- Governor Kotek Urges Trump Administration to Withdraw Politicized Budget Rule, Oregon Governor’s Office
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