To many people, “Payment in Lieu of Taxes” (PILT) may sound like an exotic plan.  However, for rural communities it is a kind of lifeblood, paying for schools, roads and other essential county services.  And that lifeblood is in jeopardy.  Many rural schools and counties face devastating cutbacks as a result of the lack of full funding for the PILT program, along with the expiration of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

I have joined in a bipartisan effort, led by Senators Wyden and Domenici, to urge funding for Secure Rural Schools and full funding for PILT.  We are working to include these programs in this year’s emergency supplemental funding legislation, including about $2.2 billion in funding for a four-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and about $1.9 billion to fully fund the PILT program.  The PILT program compensates states for the loss of tax revenue from Federal lands in the state.

I know that rural communities are counting on action in Congress to help fund these vital programs that provide funding for schools, roads, and local governments.  You can count on me to keep working to make sure this funding is provided.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator