WASHINGTON, D.C. (WXPR) — A funding matter hung up in Congress is of great interest to the many communities within the boundaries of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Congressman Sean Duffy says more than 100 people signed a letter addressed to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to take action on what’s called Payment In Lieu Of Taxes funding. The federal government pays money to local communities to offset the loss of tax revenue caused by the communities being surrounded by federal non-taxable land.
Duffy says this is one of a handful of issues that has bipartisan appeal. “From a district with a lot of federal land, this is important to you and to your communities. That’s why I think it’s gotten such bipartisan support. I think you will see both Republicans and Democrats fight to make sure that their counties and municipalities have access to this PILT funding.”
Duffy says the money is critical to the local communities and can’t be overlooked. He says the local communities don’t have a lot of options if this money isn’t paid.
by Ken Krall, WXPR
