Letter to Pres. Biden, Deputy Director Young and Secretary Haaland - Rep. Boebert Fights for Local Communities' PILT Payments

Letter

Dear President Biden, Deputy Director Young and Secretary Haaland:

As your administration prepares to release its first budget, I urge you to include full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for fiscal year 2022.

All twenty-nine counties that make up Colorado's Third Congressional District benefit from the PILT program, which provides necessary funding to offset the loss of tax revenue local governments would otherwise receive, but do not because of the large presence of federal lands within their boundaries. The county governments of the Third District are currently waiting for confirmation that these funds will reach them while trying to plan their budgets. It is imperative that your administration uphold the federal government's long-standing commitment to counties with significant federal lands within their border.

Colorado experienced devastating consequences from wildfires last year with the three largest fires in state history occurring, including the Pine Gulch fire in my district that occurred mostly on Bureau of Land Management land. PILT funding is a front-line resource that allows for fire protection districts and our communities to help fight fires on federal land. PILT funding is also a pillar for construction of new schools, road maintenance, police protection, and life-saving search and rescue missions.

Withholding PILT funds would be detrimental to rural communities like the ones I represent and 49 different states. These counties are already deprived of crucial revenues simply because they are home to federal public lands. Again, I urge you to fully fund the PILT program in your fiscal year 2022 budget. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Source