California’s Forested Counties to Receive More Than $53 Million in Funding for Public Schools and Road Programs SACRAMENTO, CA – April 16, 2015 – The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) applaud Congress for their support of legislation providing for a two- year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (SRS). Included as a policy rider to H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, also known as the “Doc Fix,” H.R. 2 will provide California’s forested counties with more than $53 million in SRS funding for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. The President signed the bill into law late Thursday. “SRS funding is critical to California’s rural counties, and we appreciate the reauthorization provided by Congress and the President,” said Lee Adams, RCRC Chair, and Sierra County Supervisor. “It’s now time to identify a long-term, stable funding source for forested counties and local schools to maintain vital programs, and avoid interruptions in services and operations.” SRS funding mitigates the impact to county governments from the reduction of timber harvesting on federal forest lands. Prior to this reauthorization, SRS expired on September 20, 2013, resulting in a loss of funding for 2014 and future years to support critical programs in local schools and forested counties across the United States. Earlier this year, 27 RCRC member counties adopted resolutions urging Congress to reauthorize SRS, outlining impacts the lack of funding has upon local schools and county road programs. RCRC Officers utilized these resolutions in federal lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. this past February. H.R. 2 also expedites SRS payments to counties by requiring the federal government to make payments within 45 days of the bill’s enactment. A detailed breakdown of California’s 2014 and 2015 SRS payment estimates can be accessed here. ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC) The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-four member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA 1215 K STREET, SUITE 1650 SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 PHONE: 916-447-4806 FAX: 916-448-3154 WEB: WWW.RCRCNET.ORG For More Information: Justin Caporusso (916) 447-4806 JCaporusso@rcrcnet.org  representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter. ###