Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Washington Congresswoman Jamie Herrera-Beutler are among the co-sponsors of a bipartisan bill introduced in both the Senate and House to extend payments to counties with federal forestlands for two years.  The bill would extend payments to counties through the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Act, which was not extended for 2017.  The last SRS funds were paid to counties in March 2016.  The payments support public schools, public roads, forest health projects, emergency services and law enforcement in more than 700 counties nationwide.  A number of Senators and Representatives from western states are supporting the legislation.