Legislation to extend the Secure Rural Schools program by one year, through Fiscal Year 2019, has been introduced by Republican Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act was first introduced in 2000 to assist counties containing tracts of federally-owned land that is tax-exempt.
Critical services at the county level have historically been funded in part with a 25 percent share of timber receipts from federal lands. As those revenues have fallen due to reduced timber harvest, SRS payments have helped bridge the gap to fund rural schools, road maintenance, search and rescue efforts and other services.
Authorization for the Secure Rural Schools program is expiring. The Crapo-Wyden bill would put in place a one-year extension while more long-term measures can be explored.
The legislation is expected to draw wide bipartisan support. Last year, 78 members of the U.S. Senate and House wrote a letter to the Office of Management and Budget seeking to include the SRS program in the President’s budget recommendations. (Idaho Senator Mike Crapo’s Office)
