Murray Applauds Announcement of PILT Funding for Rural Washington

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the announcement by the Department of Interior that 38 local governments in Washington are receiving a total of $15,340,025 under the 2012 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Last month, Senator Murray joined with several other Senators in sending a letter of support for extending funding for the program in surface transportation reauthorization legislation. PILT provides crucial payments to counties across the state. Without this funding, counties' budgets were facing drastic cuts, and potential insolvency; and this extension will prevent layoffs for road crews, teachers, and other county workers across rural Washington.

"I am so pleased the Department of Interior has announced that Washington state communities will be receiving this critical support ," said Senator Murray. "This is an important investment in our rural communities, and it will make a huge difference for our police officers, firefighters, and school teachers."

PILT program eligibility is reserved for local governments (usually rural counties) that contain nontaxable federal lands and provide vital government services, such as public safety, housing, social services and transportation. These jurisdictions provide significant support for national parks, wildlife refuges and recreation areas throughout the year. PILT seeks to compensate them for their support and foregoing tax revenue from these federal lands. A full list of funding by county is at http://www.doi.gov/pilt.

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