David Obey: “I happen to agree with the desire to add more money for PILT, but the problem is there are a wide variety of other…”

“I happen to agree with the desire to add more money for PILT, but the problem is there are a wide variety of other programs which are not being assisted because the budget resolution and the action of the committee has effectively wiped out almost $800 million in funding for other, equally deserving programs. Federal land acquisition is being cut by $170 million. State wildlife is being cut by $11 million; forestry legacy, cut by $57 million. We are seeing historic preservation in urban parks both cut significantly and hugely in comparison to the scheduled funding. So, even though I personally would like to see more money in PILT, I feel that it is not fair to try to provide additional funding for one program while the others are continuing to be put in the closet. I will not object procedurally, but I really question the fairness of trying to restore funding for only one of the six major programs involved.”