County payments stalled in House as close of session looms Despite an overwhelming 93-2 vote in the U.S. Senate last Tuesday evening in support of federal forest payments, the fate of the "safety net" was very much in doubt in the U.S. House of Representatives. County payments was excluded from the House bills because the White House threatened to veto any legislation reauthorizing Secure Rural Schools and requiring mandatory payment in lieu of taxes (PILT). The PILT program compensates states for loss of tax revenue from Federal lands. Full funding of PILT would also provide increased funding for counties in Oregon and around the country that lose tax revenues due to the presence of Federal lands in the state. "This is extraordinarily disappointing to me, and devastating to counties in Southwest Oregon," DeFazio said. "It is outrageous that the President is willing to borrow $465 million for foreign aid, the majority of which is going to the Republic of Georgia and $700 billion to bail out his Wall Street buddies but, he is turning his back on schools, law enforcement, and other vital public services in rural communities," DeFazio continued. Besides the President's promise of a veto, it also appears that DeFazio came out on the short end of some "horse trading" with Rep. Charles Rangel of New York. Rangel pulled federal forest payments from the tax extenders package. Apparently, Rangel wanted a provision for certain New York City transportation projects included in the package. His staff told members of the National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition that if the money for those projects is included, he will restore federal forest payments....A lame duck President who has an approval rating of 27% threatens a veto and the Dem's cave? I don't think so. Looks more like two Dem's fighting over the goodies has screwed the counties.