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Tag: Secure Rural Schools

Tester, Daines push for swift Secure Rural Schools payments

April 29, 2015

(U.S. Senate)—Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are pushing the U.S. Forest Service to expedite Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments to rural Montana counties. In a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, Tester and Daines demanded the Forest Service distribute SRS payments to rural counties as quickly as possible. “For rural America to thrive, communities must be able to maintain quality schools, protect public safety, and invest in roads and bridges,” Tester and Daines wrote.  “As we work to improve economic opportunities in our forested counties through responsible timber harvest, increased tourism and outdoor recreation, the Secure Rural Schools program

Daines: Montana Counties Set to Receive Long-Awaited SRS Payments

April 28, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Forest Service will allocate nearly $18 million to Montana’s rural and forested counties under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. The Forest Service this week released 2014 SRS payment levels for Montana counties following the recent reauthorization of the critical program. “The Secure Rural Schools program is a lifeline for Montana’s rural counties – many of which have suffered from severe economic challenges in the wake of declining timber harvests and natural resource production. These payments are welcome news for the dozens of Montana counties that are already stretching their

Flathead Beacon: Montana Delegation Lauds Secure Rural Schools Funding

April 20, 2015

On April 14, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would require the federal government to issue SRS payments beginning in June. The House of Representatives voted on a similar measure last month. Sens. Steve Daines and Tester and Rep. Ryan Zinke all supported the legislation. In 2014, Montana counties received $21 million in SRS funds, part of more than $300 million doled out nationally.

Daines Votes to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program

April 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines released the following statement on his vote to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for two years — providing rural Montana counties with critical support for schools and community services. “It is critical that the federal government fulfill its long-standing promise to our forested counties, which have faced significant economic challenges under declining timber harvests and the ongoing mismanagement of our National Forests. It’s unacceptable that Washington’s inaction has led to such great uncertainty in these already struggling communities.  Last night, I was proud to vote to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program — a vote I’ve long been fighting for

Daines, Zinke Call for Reauthorization of Critical Secure Rural Schools Program

February 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today called on Senate and House leaders to swiftly move forward legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner, Daines and Zinke stressed the importance of the federal government honoring its commitment and providing forested Montana counties with much-needed funding for schools and infrastructure. “SRS provides forested counties in Montana and many other states with crucial financial support for roads, schools, and other important services. While we recognize the need for a long-term solution,