Capito Supports Continued Payments for Rural School Districts

Press Release

Capito Supports Continued Payments for Rural School Districts

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) voted last night to extend a program of federal payments to rural school districts in counties with large amounts of national forest lands. The legislation would play a critical role in funding education in Randolph and Pendleton Counties.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Development Act was originally passed in 2000 to continue a century-old federal commitment to help provide funds for education and other critical local needs to rural counties where large amounts of federal land have been taken out of the local tax base.

"I am continuing to work to ensure that rural schools - especially in Randolph and Pendleton County in the Second Congressional District - continue to receive the federal support they were promised," Capito said. "The passage of this legislation is a critical step in continuing the fight to deliver this funding."

Funding for the Secure Rural Schools program expired at the end of 2006, leaving 4,400 rural schools nationwide in jeopardy of losing funds this year. A one-year, $425 million reauthorization passed the House as part of H.R. 2207 last night by a vote of 302-120. The legislation now goes to the United States Senate for its consideration.

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