Senator Boxer: Aiding Rural Counties and Schools   

Wednesday, October 19, 2011  

Dear Friend:

I want to let you know about an important bill I am co-sponsoring to direct millions of dollars to California’s rural counties and schools.

The County Payments Reauthorization Act of 2011 (S.1692) would extend for five years the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which provides federal aid to counties with large tracts of federal lands to help them compensate for their reduced property tax base and loss of timber revenue in forested areas.  These rural counties are particularly dependent on this funding to build roads and keep schools open.  

This year, Secure Rural Schools is providing $42 million to California counties to create and sustain jobs in education and construction while continuing important county maintenance and forest management initiatives.  Unfortunately, the authorization for SRS expired at the end of last month, so Congress must enact legislation now.

I am proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan bill and will work with my colleagues to enact it as soon as possible.

Sincerely,