Political Quotes

“let me give you an illustration. We have, as I say, in Harney County 6 million acres, of which 5 million approximately are in public ownership, Federal ownership. The private land in Harney County is being taxed today at $2.90 an acre on the average. The payment in lieu of tax on that same acreage in Harney County is 6 cents an acre, s-i-x cents, pennies an acre. If this bill should pass, that would increase this PILT Program, and it would then rise to 14 cents an acre as against $2.90 an acre. We can give many examples. This is not just a unique, bizarre-type of case that I have cited. But I could give examples in every Western State about the ratio of the payment in lieu of tax as against the private tax against the private landowners within those counties. I think, therefore, that that is challengeable and particularly with this study which I have asked to be made a part of the Record. I would like to respond briefly to the chairman of the committee in saying where we are we going to get the money. That is a legitimate question.”