11.21.19

Cantwell Calls for Revitalizing Essential Programs for Washington’s Rural Schools, Roads

SRS, PILT programs provide millions of dollars annually to Washington counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) called for extending essential programs for Washington state’s rural schools and roads. During the hearing, Cantwell highlighted the importance of reliable funding for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs to counties and local governments throughout Washington state. 

SRS is not currently authorized, and without congressional action to extend it, counties will not receive payments next year. However, the short-term spending bill passed by the U.S. Senate earlier today allows administrative work to continue for timely PILT payments, but Cantwell has called on congressional leaders to include at least a two-year reauthorization of the program in any end-of-year legislation. 

“We believe these rural counties are critical to our states,” Senator Cantwell said. “These counties are home to iconic national parks, iconic national forests, and federal lands, and we have to give them predictable funding. It’s an obligation by the federal government, and it should be met.” 

Through the PILT program alone, millions of dollars have been invested in Washington counties to help local governments provide vital services like firefighting, police protection, and construction of public roads. Similarly, SRS funding has supported thousands of schools and millions of students across the United States. Uncertainty around these programs makes it difficult for impacted local governments to plan annual budgets and serve their populations. 

At the hearing, Cantwell highlighted places like Skamania County, which depend on SRS and PILT funds. 

“Skamania, in southwest Washington, is 85% federal land. Only 2% of Skamania County can be developed or is taxable,” Cantwell said. “SRS makes up 15% of the county’s budget, and these funds have to be used for emergencies to respond to things in the national forests, to support our federal employees and families.” 

Washington state received more than $14 million in SRS payments in fiscal year 2018 and more than $21 million from PILT in fiscal year 2019: 

County

SRS Payments (2018)

PILT Payments (2019)

Asotin

$55,095.77

$168,600

Chelan

$1,056,226.58

$3,100,000

Clallam

$766,168.73

$1,000,000

Clark

$3,289.32

$2,000

Columbia

$154,987.98

$385,600

Cowlitz

$115,765.47

$22,700

Douglas

$1.30

$162,500

Ferry

$689,505.42

$811,000

Garfield

$102,291.02

$234,100

Grays Harbor

$280,722.85

$280,500

Jefferson

$825,704.50

$1,500,000

King

$190,901.76

$876,000

Kittitas

$558,507.36

$1,100,000

Klickitat

$40,884.20

$111,400

Lewis

$1,457,152.56

$515,000

Mason

$286,853.01

$288,600

Okanogan

$1,472,914.66

$2,600,000

Pend Oreille

$640,698.82

$1,100,000

Pierce

$197,110.32

$822,900

Skagit

$448,513.68

$1,200,000

Skamania

$2,776,959.74

$328,000

Snohomish

$598,632.98

$1,400,000

Stevens

$282,846.17

$608,000

Thurston

$1,047.30

$1,100

Walla Walla

$3,030.90

$29,900

Whatcom

$756,871.49

$1,900,000

Yakima

$1,167,234.50

$846,800

TOTAL

$14,929,918.39

$21,394,700

“The rest of the United States needs to understand a federal footprint means a federal obligation, and we should give [these counties] predictability,” Cantwell said today. 

Senator Cantwell has long supported PILT and SRS and has repeatedly fought against proposals to cut funding from these programs. 

Video of Senator Cantwell’s Q&A at today’s hearing is available HERE, and audio is available HERE. 

###