PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After the House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday to fund the federal government and avoid a shutdown, two Oregon state lawmakers are denouncing proposed cuts that threaten public safety projects, including earthquake and wildfire preparedness in the state.

On Wednesday, Oregon Senator Anthony Broadman (D-Bend) and Representative Paul Evans (D-Monmouth) urged federal lawmakers to reinstate $30 million in Community Project Funding already allocated to 15 projects in the state.

Those cuts from the federal budget include funding for the Central Oregon Ready-Responsive-Resilient (CORE3) Project,

a proposal to build a $2 million emergency coordination hub for Central and Eastern Oregon.

Without the hub, Broadman and Evans argue that Oregon would be “severely unprepared” for a catastrophe, such as large-scale wildfire evacuations – which comes after 2024’s record-breaking wildfire season — and the looming Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

“This is short sighted and dangerous,” said Sen. Broadman, who sits on the CORE3 leadership team. “When the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake happens, Oregon will be at the center of a devastating natural disaster. We must prepare for that disaster right now, and every second and every dollar counts. Oregonians deserve safety and preparation.”  

“This partisan Continuing Resolution makes us less safe and less prepared,” Rep. Evans added. “The CORE3 center will be a vital resource for the entire Western Seaboard and beyond, ensuring coordinated emergency response efforts that will support communities across the country.”

Aiming to break ground in the spring of 2026, CORE3 would fill a gap as the region lacks a multi-agency emergency coordination center, according to the project website.

The hub will sit on 300 acres of land near the Redmond Airport, and will house a training facility for local, state and federal public safety officials and emergency management personnel.

Some of the long-term goals for the hub, include building space for wildland fire training, an emergency supply cache, and training for de-escalation, train car derailment, vehicle extrication and other rescue operations.

“We cannot afford to play politics with public safety,” Sen. Broadman continued. “I will fight to ensure that Oregon gets the resources we were promised to keep our communities and the entire region safe from disasters.”

After the House passed the resolution in a 217-213 vote on Tuesday, the legislation heads to the Senate, where some Democrats have signaled opposition to the Republican-led bill, as reported by The Associated Press, noting it’s unlikely that enough Democrats will vote against the bill to cause a government shutdown.

If the bill passes, it will strip $2 million needed to build the CORE3 facility, which has already received funding from the state — including a $9.5 million investment from the state legislature in 2022 along with a $500,000 investment from the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz — who is on the CORE3 leadership team — said officials are continuing to look for funding pathways.

“Many Central Oregon and statewide agencies have been actively working to identify funding options for the initial planning and building phases of the CORE3 project. CORE3 will be a critical facility to provide high-quality training to our community’s first responders. It will also play a pivotal role in providing support to the entire state during times of natural disasters or emergencies,” Chief Krantz said.

“The earmark request for the CORE3 project from the federal government is a key financial support piece that I was hopeful would be approved. The CORE3 Executive Board will continue to work with our local staff and elected officials to identify potential funding sources,” Krantz added.

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) voted against the resolution, stating, “Garbage in, garbage out. This is a trash bill with unmet promises to our district. They cut public safety funding, clean drinking water, and job creation. It’s merely an attempt to pour water on my neck and call it rain. Oregonians were promised $30 million to carry out 15 projects across our district, from Portland to Salem to Bend, to make our lives better. This bill breaks that promise and leaves our communities hanging. It’s a trash budget top to bottom.”

The first-term congresswoman continued, “And let me be clear: my vote against this bill was not a vote to shut down the government. My vote was a demand for Republicans to work together with Democrats on a solution that works for all of us, not just some of us. Instead, they went full steam ahead without any Democratic input on a bill that harms Oregonians, gives Elon Musk more control, and fails to deliver for Americans at a time of need. No thanks.”

Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-02) was the only member of the Oregon delegation who voted in favor of the bill. Bentz’s office did not immediately respond to KOIN 6 News’ request for comment on his vote and funding for CORE3.