McCaskill Fights to Make Rural Schools a Priority

Senator announces support for Secure Rural Schools and Payment in Lieu of Taxes Repair Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today announced her support and cosponsorship of the Secure Rural Schools and Payment in Lieu of Taxes Repair Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at renewing the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act which expired September 30, 2014.

“I know firsthand the critical role these institutions play in knitting together local communities and educating our kids and grandkids,” McCaskill said. “A failure to address the unique challenges that face rural schools could just be another nail in the coffin for many of our small towns. This legislation can help keep public education alive in Missouri’s small towns and rural communities—and that’s something I’m going to keep fighting for.”

The Secure Rural Schools and Payment in Lieu of Taxes Repair Act would provide needed resources to fund roads, law enforcement, and schools in areas adjacent to National Forests, helping provide more funding certainty to offset dwindling revenue from timber harvesting as well as funding shortfalls due to the tax exempt status of federal lands.

As a result of the legislation’s expiration, more than 700 counties across the country—including 29 in Missouri— face a dramatic 83 percent decrease in timber payments.

McCaskill is an original cosponsor of the legislation with Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Jim Risch of Idaho.

Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/rural to learn more about McCaskill's fight to protect rural Missouri.

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