McMorris Rodgers submits bill seeking rural school funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced legislation March 22 to extend the Secure Rural Schools program through 2022.

The Secure Rural Schools is part of the Community Self-Determination Act introduced in 2000 to assist counties containing tracts of federally-owned land that are tax-exempt.

The program provides funds in part through timber sales and other leasing activities within National Forests back to county governments where those forests are located.

"The Secure Rural Schools program provides critical financial certainty to many of the rural counties here in Eastern Washington," stated McMorris Rodgers, R-5th District. "This legislation will extend this program ... so that our rural communities can continue to fund important infrastructure projects, public education, law enforcement, and other essential services."

McMorris Rodgers of Spokane fought for reauthorization of the program during previous Congresses.

Nearly 100 years ago, Congress passed legislation to specify that 25% of revenues from timber harvests on federal lands would be shared with affected counties. These funds went to public schools, roads, and other municipal needs.

"Timber production has drastically fallen on federal lands. This devastated the tax base and virtually eliminated revenue sharing for essential services," stated McMorris Rodgers. "Reforms are needed to better take care of our forests and get people back to work."