Crapo Praises Passage Of County Payments, PILT

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo applauded the Senate's passage today of tax extender legislation that includes the extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, commonly called county payments, and the full funding of Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT). The legislation extends the county payments program until 2011 and provides funding for PILT through 2012. The loss of the county payments has posed the threat of county budget cuts and layoffs, especially in western states.

"It was imperative to have an extension of county payments and the full funding of PILT in this legislation," said Crapo. "Many Idaho families and communities are challenged with providing needed services in communities with large amounts of federal land. I am proud that the Senate took this important step to ensure that those rural communities will able to continue vital services."

Also included in the legislation was a one-year "patch" of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)-which was scheduled to hit nearly 90,000 Idaho families.

"It was also essential to protect Idaho taxpayers from this outdated federal income tax," said Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. "However, passage of this bill in the Senate is not the final step. It is my hope that the House of Representatives will act quickly and sensibly to approve this legislation which includes many facets that are so important to Idaho."