September 25, 2008 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Removal of funds for the Secure Rural Schools program from a bill that would extend certain tax reductions is unacceptable for Idaho and other states whose schools and county governments are dependent on the monies to run effectively, U.S. Rep. Bill Sali (R-ID) said today.

“One of the first bills I introduced as a Member of Congress addressed this issue and I am continuing to work to obtain these funds,” Sali said.  Last week, the Congressman tried to put Secure Rural Schools funding into the Energy bill.  Idaho receives about $21 million for rural counties and school districts.

“As the timber industry has been wracked by environmental extremists, our schools in rural areas have been forced rely on federal support for public education.  With a limited tax base in areas where timber harvesting has been severely curtailed, in the short term, the federal government has an obligation to provide assistance to adversely affected areas,” Sali said.

“Ultimately, I believe that this is an issue of federal management of forest lands.  Reviving timber harvesting on federally-administered lands is the only sustainable way to provide a long-term solution for Idaho.  The level of that harvest must increase sufficiently to meet Idaho’s revenue needs, and that is a policy that I will continue to pursue.”

 “Let’s be clear: We’re talking about the education of our children, the proper functioning of our rural communities – including public safety - and about Washington D.C. keeping its word.  This all revolves around one central question: Can our federal government be trusted to make this right?  Congress has not yet adjourned and I will continue to fight to assure that Uncle Sam keeps his word as this Congress winds-down,” Sali said.

The Secure Rural Schools program aids over 600 rural counties and 4,400 school districts in 42 states.  Most of these counties have fiscal years that begin in July.  The expiration and loss of federal Secure Rural Schools funds has resulted in layoffs of critical county personnel and the cessation of a number of county services.  These counties have closed libraries, curtailed sheriff's patrols, released prisoners from jails, ceased search and rescue operations, eliminated mental health care services and several are considering declaring bankruptcy and giving up their county status.