On January 27, a bicameral bipartisan group of twenty-three California Legislators sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, strongly urging them to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The letter reminded the House Leaders of the century-old Secure Rural Schools (SRS) promise made to California’s rural counties who gave up their forestland to the Forest Service to be used for logging operations, in exchange for a portion of the logging profits and other funds resulting from multi-use activities to make up for the counties’ lost tax revenue.
Citing a 21 percent population loss in some rural counites due to lack of educational opportunities, the letter highlights the reality that once a rural community school closes, it does not reopen. Instead, the community suffers decline as a consequence of unkept promises. Legislators noted the importance of SRS funds, which provide a lifeline for California counties that rely on the federal government to keep that promise, so they can provide vital services— including maintaining forest roads that are essential for emergency response and fire management— to the communities they serve.
RCRC continues to advocate vigorously for reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program on behalf of California’s rural counites. For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Staci Heaton.