Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H.R. 5093, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler). This is a good bill, and I commend her for her leadership on this effort. Skamania County in Representative Herrera Beutler's district is almost 77 percent federally owned. Unfortunately, because of the large number of public lands in the county, less than 2 percent of the county's land base can be taxed at full market value. The presence of a large Federal estate is shared by many other rural counties in the West, and it makes it very difficult for communities to generate revenue needed to fund schools, roads, and vital public services, such as police and fire departments. H.R. 5093 would transfer ownership of approximately 23 acres of the former Wind River Nursery from the Forest Service to the county to expand uses that will draw in tourism, provide economic opportunities, and create additional tax revenue for the county. The county estimates that this conveyance will ultimately lead to an additional $600,000 in revenue each year. Skamania County has also already made considerable investments to restore this site with upgrades to water mains, full restorations to two residential buildings, and electric improvements to four additional buildings. I, again, thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler) for her leadership on this bill.…”