5/19/2005
Udall Boosts PILT Funding For Rural County Services
House approves amendment in Interior spending bill
(Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Congressman Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) which provides a $12 million increase in funding for the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT) program. This program, administered by the Interior Department, provides payments to counties to make up for property taxes they can't collect on federal lands that are located within their boundaries.
The amendment adds $12 million to PILT by redirecting funds from the Interior Department administrative costs for management, salary and expenses. With the amendment the Interior spending bill provides approximately 80% of the authorized level for PILT and brings the total amount for fiscal year 2006 to $242 million.
The amendment, cosponsored by Reps. Barbara Cubin (R-WY), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Chris Cannon (R-UT), was approved on a voice vote.
"Many rural counties rely heavily on PILT monies to fund a wide variety of services such as law enforcement, fire fighting, hospital care and education. When Congress shortchanges PILT, rural Coloradans suffer," said Udall. "Shortchanging communities by under-funding PILT is wrong. Common sense dictates that fulfilling our obligations to local communities should take precedence over beefing up Interior Department salaries and expense accounts. Congress must make PILT a priority."
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http://markudall.house.gov/HoR/CO02/Newsroom/Press+Releases/2005/UDALL+BOOSTS+PILT+FUNDING+FOR+RURAL+COUNTY+SERVICES.htm