October 7, 2011
On behalf of the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, I am writing to urge you to support the re-authorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act.
This source of funding, which is used primarily to support public education and the maintenance of the public roads here in Siskiyou County, is a vital part of the local economy. The estimated 9 million dollars that Siskiyou County would not receive as its share of the revenues generated on the public lands within the county, would have a devastating effect on our local communities.
The importance of local public schools and local infrastructure such as roads and bridges cannot be overstated in a healthy business climate. Increasing class sizes, loss of elective course offerings, loss of extra- curricular activities such as art, music, sports and drama all have a negative impact on the public school system, which is the lifeblood of a small rural community. Additionally, the ability to get our goods and services to market and our employees to work is dependent upon roads being plowed and repaired when needed.
This compromise between the local residents and the federal government dates back to 1908 when President Teddy Roosevelt’s administration acknowledged that the lands that were being set aside for the public good also had value to the local residents. As such, the local residents are entitled to a share of the revenues generated from those public lands since those same lands cannot be used in private enterprise, thereby generating tax revenue to maintain public schools and roads with.
This is not a charitable contribution by the federal government to the local community. This is a continuation of a compromise worked out long ago – a compromise that has been working to the mutual advantage of the multitude of American citizens who travel to see and experience their lands, and the local residents of those lands who live, work and play here.
I urge you to support the re-authorization of this funding mechanism and to set it on a path for long term stability. Short term extensions of this funding do not allow the local community to set long term goals, rather they force the community to always be preparing for the next cut in services. The local business community depends on stability in government policies so that it can thrive.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue for the residents of Siskiyou County.
Sincerely,
Vince Reinig
President of the Board, Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce
Mt. Shasta, CA
The Mount Shasta Chamber of Commerce sent this letter to senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein and Congressman Wally Herger on October 7th, 2011
