McClintock: Reauthorize Federal (PILT) Funding

Washington D.C. — Local Congressman Tom McClintock spoke to the National Association of Counties about Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) money calling the Federal Government an “inattentive and incompetent landlord.”

Congressman McClintock told the Association, “PILT funding only makes a small dent in this bad situation…Our intermediate goal must be long term reauthorization, so that you don’t have to come back here every six to 12 months,” and stated, “Counties impacted by excessive federal land ownership should not have to beg to reauthorize this compensation every year.”

His remarks build on his earlier statements that the Federal Government owns an excessive amount of land in California and other western states. McClintock states “Mariposa County in my district includes Yosemite Valley, one of the crown jewels of the National Park System.  Obviously, the federal government’s presence there is essential for the preservation of this national treasure… But we’ve got to restore balance and common sense to federal land ownership and management.” He also provides details on Tuolumne and Fresno County as big recipients of PILT funding in his district. His full statement is in his new blog Payments In Lieu Of Taxes here.