U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and a bipartisan group of 56 members of the U.S. House of Representatives voiced support for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) and the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program to support rural governments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, Rep. McMorris Rodgers and her colleagues called for the reauthorization of the SRS and increased PILT funding as part of the appropriations process, according to a Dec. 4 letter they sent to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
“In order to assist these rural counties’ response to the current public health crisis, as well as to invest in infrastructure, schools, and law enforcement, Congress must advance a reauthorization of SRS,” they wrote. “Further, we urge you to maintain robust funding for PILT as you continue funding negotiations for the remainder of the fiscal year.”
The members noted that the SRS and PILT serve as a lifeline to rural America’s local governments by funding roads, schools, law enforcement, and essential county services, such as public health programs. Local budgets have been hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, they wrote.
“With additional demands on their resources as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, rural communities and counties are stretched thinner than ever” and require federal assistance, wrote Rep. McMorris Rodgers and her colleagues.