This week, the National Association of Counties (NACo) launched an effort to urge Congressional leaders to fully fund the Federal Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for Fiscal Year 2018, and reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools & Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) program until a permanent solution is developed.  NACo is requesting all impacted counties, school districts, and other interested organizations to consider signing onto a joint letter.  

As 2017 is nearing an end, Congress must work to pass several bills to keep the government operational.  This presents opportunities to fully fund Federal PILT and reauthorize the SRS program.  While California’s counties received their 2017 Federal PILT authorization in April, future payments – including 2018 – will need to be secured through the federal budget process.  A number of bills have been put forth in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to reauthorize SRS; however, none have secured passage.

The coalition letter to Congressional leadership can be accessed here.  If you are interested in signing onto this letter as RCRC has, the web form can be accessed here.  The deadline to sign-on is 6 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 16, 2017.