2008 Woodie Awards
Sali introduces bill to protect Idaho schools and jobs
Wayne Hoffman, Communications Director
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: News
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Bill Sali introduced legislation Wednesday night to provide emergency federal funding to support Idaho's school children, rural jobs and the economic infrastructure of Idaho's counties. This was the first bill that Sali has introduced in Congress.
Sali also complimented Idaho's senior Senator, Larry Craig, for including the funding in a Senate measure introduced on Tuesday.
Sali's legislation would provide a one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The extension would provide the continuation of urgently needed funding to 4,400 schools and 615 rural counties near national forests in 39 states. For Idaho, where 60 percent of the land is federally managed, the extension would protect $23.3 million that schools, counties and road districts need in order to operate. For some, the loss of funding would wipe out as much as half of the local governments' operating budgets.
"Without the extension, there will be significant fallout for our communities and our State," Sali said. "We're talking about the elimination of hundreds of teachers. We're talking about the neglect of thousands of miles of Idaho roadway. Our rural communities are struggling enough. They can't afford another hit, and certainly not at the hands of the federal government, especially when Congress has the ability to act."
"The federal government controls the land on which our rural communities depend. It would be wrong - Congress would be derelict in its responsibilities - if we abandon these communities," Sali said.
"I'm pleased that Senator Craig has included this funding in a supplemental appropriation now making its way through the Senate. My colleagues and I in the Idaho delegation will work long and hard to secure the financial support that our communities need," Sali said.
Sali also complimented Idaho's senior Senator, Larry Craig, for including the funding in a Senate measure introduced on Tuesday.
Sali's legislation would provide a one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The extension would provide the continuation of urgently needed funding to 4,400 schools and 615 rural counties near national forests in 39 states. For Idaho, where 60 percent of the land is federally managed, the extension would protect $23.3 million that schools, counties and road districts need in order to operate. For some, the loss of funding would wipe out as much as half of the local governments' operating budgets.
"Without the extension, there will be significant fallout for our communities and our State," Sali said. "We're talking about the elimination of hundreds of teachers. We're talking about the neglect of thousands of miles of Idaho roadway. Our rural communities are struggling enough. They can't afford another hit, and certainly not at the hands of the federal government, especially when Congress has the ability to act."
"The federal government controls the land on which our rural communities depend. It would be wrong - Congress would be derelict in its responsibilities - if we abandon these communities," Sali said.
"I'm pleased that Senator Craig has included this funding in a supplemental appropriation now making its way through the Senate. My colleagues and I in the Idaho delegation will work long and hard to secure the financial support that our communities need," Sali said.
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