Political Quotes

“I have 20 counties in the district I represent. Over 60 percent of the land in those counties is owned by the Federal Government. Needless to say, these counties which are trying to make heads or tails out of their declining budgets are struggling to survive. Unlike other counties, they have no way of raising revenue through property taxes. They rely on payments in lieu of taxes to make ends meet. Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, they have seen these payments frozen by the Federal Government. In addition, these counties rely on revenues raised by Federal timber salvage to supplement their budgets. But these lands have been locked up by obstructionists and the environmental communities. These groups claim to speak for the conservationists, but they would rather see millions of acres of forestland burn due to poor forest health and not implementing sound forest management practices. If the Federal Government is gong to insist there be no timber harvests on Federal lands, they must do one of two things: One, increase PILT payments; or two, turn these lands back over to the States for their management. Mr. Chairman, our counties are having tough choices to make about vital services. It is time for the Federal Government to recognize its responsibility and grant a much needed increase in the PILT payments. I urge tremendous support of this bill.”