Bob Bennett: “I am pleased to associate myself with the legislation of the Senator from Oregon as a cosponsor of S. 455. Many of my…”

“I am pleased to associate myself with the legislation of the Senator from Oregon as a cosponsor of S. 455. Many of my colleagues feel as I do that action on PILT is long overdue. Counties around the country depend upon this program to provide funding to help them govern their counties and comply with the myriad of unfunded Federal mandates. The Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act of 1976 was adopted with the purpose of providing compensation to those counties with Federal lands within their boundaries in lieu of their lost private land tax base. Although payments rates of 10 cents an acre is certainly not equivalent to the revenues these lands would produce if they were on the local tax roll, but at least there is some compensation for these Federal enclaves. It is important to note that PILT payments are not a Federal subsidy to the counties. PILT payments are intended to compensate counties for services provided on Federal lands and which are required by Federal law.”