Urge Congress to Extend Spending Authority
$78 Million in PILT and SRS Funding at Risk for California
Lawmakers will return to the nation’s capital this week for what is expected to be a relatively brief lame-duck session. The top legislative priority for congressional leaders will be deciding how to address the unfinished fiscal year 2015 budget. With the current short-term Continuing Resolution set to expire on December 11, Congress will need to either extend the Resolution into the new year or pass a catch-all omnibus appropriations bill. Therefore, CSAC is urging the California congressional delegation to ensure that both programs are funded in either the Continuing Resolution or the omnibus.
While key lawmakers have assured county officials that Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding would be addressed expeditiously, there is no guarantee. If neither program is extended, California counties stand to lose more than $78 million in the next year alone. It is critically important that affected counties continue to reach out to their members of Congress and encourage them to support immediate funding for both programs. Here’s why:
- Counties have continued to provide vital services to our citizens and visitors with the expectation that the federal government would honor its longstanding commitment to be a responsible landowner.
- Without these important sources of funding, counties could face huge budget shortfalls impacting public safety, education, infrastructure, and other local government responsibilities.
- Many counties will have no option but to severely reduce or eliminate critical county services to the public, including fire and EMS services, search and rescue, public health, law enforcement and justice operations.
- Rural counties, in particular, will face drastic budget cuts and may struggle to fund the most basic of services.
- Any delay or reduction of PILT/SRS dollars will disrupt county operations.