| Secure Rural Schools funding reauthorized Members of Idaho’s congressional delegation and State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth say Idaho counties will receive a total of $19.2 million in payments this year under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. Under Idaho law, 30 percent of the SRS funding goes to counties to help with schools and the remaining 70 percent is earmarked for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. That means Idaho schools will receive roughly $5.7 million, and Idaho roads and other county projects will receive roughly $13.4 million for Fiscal Year 2020. “As the Treasurer’s Office facilitates the payments to Idaho counties, I am reminded of how important these Secure Rural School dollars are to local communities,” said Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth. “I am appreciative of Sen. Crapo, Sen. Risch, Rep. Simpson and Rep. Fulcher, who continue to work to keep this vital program. “This year’s payments are a welcome relief to rural counties that rely on SRS payments each year, but a permanent solution is needed,” said Senator Crapo. “Adequate funding for schools, roads and infrastructure repair will only be guaranteed once we can reach agreement on a self-contained funding mechanism outside the yearly votes in Congress, and we are working toward the goal of a permanent endowment.” “The SRS program is critical for Idaho’s rural communities,” said Senator Risch. “Until the federal government returns to active management of our national forests, these funds will ensure timber counties can provide essential services, like education and road maintenance, until a long-term solution is reached.”
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