How to make a REAL difference

Keep It California leaders have been working actively with the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) to restore Payments in Lieu of Taxes on state lands such as wildlife areas. And now we have some Good News: on May 13 the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #3 voted to take the same action on the PILT issue as that taken in Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Subcommittee #2.   That action was to:

• Approve the proposed fiscal year 2015-16 appropriation in the amount of $644,000;
• Approve the Administration’s trailer bill language but striking the Administration’s proposed language which would make payments of PILT to counties permissive; and,
• Add a $8 million General Fund appropriation for payment of the PILT arrears owed to 36 counties.  This $8 million is only the portion owed to counties.

Click here to see RCRC’s letter to the Subcommittee.  Although both houses have now taken the same action, the possibility still remains that the issue will be a topic of discussion in the joint State Budget Conference Committee.  We will keep you updated on this topic and will request assistance if appropriate.