Group of Republicans and Democrats, including an influential committee chairman, urge majority leadership for emergency extension
 
September 22, 2008 - WASHINGTON, D.C. -

Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has enlisted bipartisan support for a one-year emergency extension of the county timber payments program to once again reiterate to congressional leaders the importance of the program to hundreds of forested counties and thousands of school districts across the country.  With just five days remaining before Congress is scheduled to adjourn until after the November election, the fate of the program is uncertain.  Walden and his colleagues wanted to ensure that congressional leaders don’t conclude business without being reminded of how high the stakes are for essential rural county and school district services.
 
In a letter drafted by Greg Walden, a bipartisan group of 28 lawmakers from across the United States (including Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar) today urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey to include a one-year extension of county payments in a continuing resolution (CR) funding bill expected to be passed this week.
 
“Renewing the federal government’s commitment to rural America is not a partisan issue, and the funding cliff forested counties and school districts are being pushed off has produced a real emergency,” Walden said. “This Congress cannot leave our counties out to dry.  I’m very hopeful that the majority leadership responds to the emergency and upholds the government’s commitment before it’s too late.”
 
The fate of a longer-term extension of county payments in a pending Senate tax package is still uncertain. In the meantime, a one-year extension would give counties a lifeline until the Congress reconvenes after the November election. Greg Walden has introduced his own long-term proposal, which would pay for a five-year extension of county payments and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) through royalties and fees on new energy production. The legislation, called the Security and Energy for America Act (SEA Act), would also provide a major ten-year revenue stream for the production of renewable energies like wind, solar, geothermal, wave, hydro, and biomass.
 
“Please know that this not a partisan issue and should never be treated as such,” the letter states. “Too much is at stake in our rural counties, and we come to you in bipartisan spirit hoping you will help as you graciously have in the past.
 
The full letter is pasted below:
 
September 22, 2008
 
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
H-232 Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
 
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
House Democrat Majority Leader
H-107 Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
 
The Honorable David Obey
Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
2314 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C.  20515
 
Dear Madam Speaker, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Chairman Obey:
 
We write to you today to ask for your support for inclusion of a one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program (county payments program) in any upcoming Continuing Resolution (CR) that can be signed into law.  A year ago, Congress authorized, and the President supported, a short term extension of the Secure Rural Schools legislation in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.  Please know that this not a partisan issue and should never be treated as such.  Too much is at stake in our rural counties, and we come to you in bipartisan spirit hoping you will help as you graciously have in the past.
 
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. 
 
Until Congress enacts legislation which allows forested communities to properly manage federal forests to generate revenue locally and rebuild rural economies, they need our help.  As the timeline and fate of the long-term county payments provision currently under consideration in the Senate as part of a tax extenders package is still uncertain, we urge you to at least ensure a one-year emergency extension is included in a CR that can be signed into law.
 
Thank you again for your assistance and support in reauthorizing the critically important Secure Rural Schools program in the past, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the very near future to bring this process to a close.
          
Best regards,
 
Greg Walden (R-Ore.)
James Oberstar (D-Minn.) – Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) – Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands
Heath Shuler (D-NC)
Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas)
Bob Etheridge (D-NC)
Joe Barton (R-Texas) – Ranking Member, Committee on Energy and Commerce
Mike Simpson (R-Idaho)
Barbara Cubin (R-Wy.)
Chris Cannon (R-Utah)
John Doolittle (R-Calif.)
John E. Peterson (R-Penn.)
Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.)
Bill Sali (R-Idaho)
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)
John Boozman (R-Ark.)
David Reichert (R-Wash.)
Rob Bishop (R-Utah)
Wally Herger (R-Calif.)
Ted Poe (R-Texas)
Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.)
Doc Hastings (R-Wash.)
George Radanovich (R-Calif.)
Dan Lungren (R-Calif.)
Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.)
Don Young (R-Alaska)
Kevin Brady (R-Texas)
Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.)
 
Cc: The Honorable John Boehner, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Jerry Lewis, Ranking Member, House Appropriations Committee
 
Congressman Walden represents the people of Oregon’s Second District, which is comprised of 20 counties in eastern, southern, and central Oregon. He is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.