So How Much Did the Oregon Standoff Cost Taxpayers?

The 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge had a widespread impact, affecting 47 federal, state, and local authorities, and ringing up a bill that totaled $3.3 million and counting, according to reporting by The Oregonian.

Over one-third of those expenses were incurred by Oregon State Police to the tune of $1.2 million in overtime, wages, fuel, and lodging. An additional $788,500 went to other law enforcement agencies providing support.

In addition to law enforcement costs, the occupation forced the local school systems to shell out between $143,000 and $160,000 in wages to teachers and other staff who were forced to stay home during the fist week of the takeover. That doesn’t include the $16,000 spent on counseling and additional security.

Furthermore, the Bureau of Land Management and Fish & Wildlife Service were among the federal agencies that had to pay their workers to stay home — totaling $611,000.

The Oregonian arrived at its calculations by asking the various government bodies and agencies what their daily or weekly expenses were, and prorating them for the duration of the occupation. They caution that “federal and state bureaucrats and lawmakers continue to puzzle over budgets, trying to pinpoint the true cost of the occupation, so this remains a snapshot.”

[h/t The Oregonian]

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