Oregon Pumps Up Lifeline Discount During Pandemic

Oregon will temporarily increase state Lifeline discounts by nearly $9 monthly using $3.5 million in federal coronavirus relief allocated by the Oregon Joint Emergency Board, said the Oregon Public Utility Commission Thursday. The discount for about 8,000 low-income households will increase to $21.25 from $12.75 for six months starting July 1, the PUC said. “These additional funds will increase the discount for families, making telephone and broadband service more affordable during these unprecedented times,” said PUC Chair Megan Decker.