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Dear Tillamook County Republicans,
We are reaching out on behalf of the Tillamook County Democrats with a call for unity and collaboration. Our community faces significant challenges due to budget cuts and funding freezes from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These cuts directly affect Tillamook County, putting strain on essential services, local industries, and the well-being of our residents. We have already begun to feel the impacts:
Housing and Healthcare
• Tillamook County relies on $3.6 million dollars in federal funding to support affordable housing projects in Manzanita, Rockaway Beach and Tillamook. When funding was frozen, 100% of the units had been pre-leased and there was a waiting list for future vacancies.
• Cuts to Medicaid – In Oregon this is the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). About 35% of the population in Tillamook County are enrolled in some form of OHP.
Economy and Social Services
• Statewide, nearly 29,000 federal employees have been terminated as part of the administration’s cost-cutting measures. These layoffs span various agencies, affecting the delivery of essential services. While specific numbers for Tillamook County are not detailed, the ripple effect of these reductions is felt across the state.
• The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a key energy provider in the Pacific Northwest, has seen significant staff reductions due to the federal hiring freeze. An additional 90 job offers were rescinded, and current employees anticipate further cuts. Tillamook County, part of BPA’s service area, may experience effects on employment and energy services.
• The immigrant population in Tillamook County lives in fear of being deported, sometimes to countries other than the ones from which they came. Families are separated and children are in danger of going in to foster system. ICE agents are allowed to go into schools and other institutions to arrest alleged offenders.
Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Services
• Tillamook County relies on federal funding for programs and research into wildfire prevention. This and many other initiatives are impacted by the “stop work” order from the Trump administration, citing “…potential non-compliance with the administration’s DEI policies.”
Environmental and Conservation
• The Lomakatsi Restoration Project, which receives 65% of its budget from federal sources, has had to freeze over 30 grants, lay off workers and stop projects. Tillamook County relies on this and similar environmental initiatives to protect and renew our forests and streams.
• The Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP), dedicated to preserving the county’s estuaries and natural habitats, experienced a 90-day pause on funding ordered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Although this order was subsequently rescinded, ongoing federal budget cuts have created an atmosphere of uncertainty for future environmental projects in the region.
These are not partisan issues—they are Tillamook County issues. We all want our community to be safe, prosperous, and well-supported. This is why we believe working together is more important than ever. By combining our voices, we can fight for the resources Tillamook County deserves.
We invite you to discuss how we can collaborate on these shared concerns. Let us find common ground and stand together for the good of our community. Please let us know a convenient time to meet—we are eager to work alongside you to protect Tillamook County’s future.
Sincerely,
Tillamook County Democrats
