Romney Joins Western Senators in Introducing Legislation to Provide Financial Certainty for Utah’s Rural Counties

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) this week co-sponsored two pieces of legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of Western senators that would provide long-term financial security for rural counties by reauthorizing the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) programs.
                                               
The PILT program provides funding for local law enforcement, firefighting, emergency response, and other essential county services. The SRS program provides funding for schools and infrastructure in rural counties throughout Utah. Last year, Utah counties received $40.9 million through PILT and $9.1 million through SRS.
                                                 
“With two-thirds of Utah held as public land, these programs are essential in funding schools, infrastructure, and services in many of our state’s rural counties,” Romney said. “Let’s end the financial uncertainty families in Utah’s rural counties face each year by reauthorizing these important programs.”
                                                       
Next week, Senator Romney will co-sponsor legislation that would make changes to the PILT program in order to level the playing field for small counties with a population under 5,000, which would allow them access to much needed dollars for public services without upending the funding allocated to larger counties. This legislation would impact Piute, Rich, Daggett, and Wayne Counties.
                                         
Background:
Earlier this month, Romney joined a bipartisan group of 32 senators in requesting a two-year reauthorization for the PILT and SRS programs.