“This legislation is critical for Montana’s rural communities,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “In many of Montana’s western counties, the Secure Rural Schools Act provides vital funding for local schools and transportation projects.  So, one of my top priorities is to get this legislation reauthorized long term before Montana counties are impacted.”

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act expired at the end of 2006.  However, earlier this year, Rehberg fought to include a one-year extension of the program in the 2007 emergency supplemental. Signed into law in 2000, the bill provides an alternative source of funding to counties that were once dependent on timber sales from federal lands. At the time the law was passed, it was estimated to provide assistance to 700 counties in 39 states.  Montana currently ranks seventh among all congressional districts in payments received from the Secure Rural Schools program.

During the meeting, Rehberg explained to Director Nussle the critical role Secure Rural Schools funding plays in Montana counties as well as emphasized the strong support the program has from the local communities.