Federal Government Cutting Back on PILT Funds

By: Press

For Immediate Release

August 26, 2010

Federal Government Cutting Back on PILT Funds

New Mexico Congressional Delegation Continues to Toe the Party Line, Ignore Local Needs

HOBBS, NM – Several New Mexico counties will be forced to deal with potentially crippling budget shortfalls, because the federal government decreased funding for the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. PILT is a program started in the 1970's to reimburse states and counties for land owned by the federal government, which is not taxed or available for economic development.

“Every year I was in Congress, the federal government tried to take the funds for PILT, and use them for other projects,” Steve Pearce said. “We had to fight to restore funding to local communities. This year, New Mexico is losing almost $5 million in PILT funds--crucial money needed to shore up the budgets of our county governments.”

“I did not hear or see a single comment from Congressman Teague or any of our delegation fighting the cut, “ Pearce continued. “Our elected officials have to be willing to fight their own party to protect their constituents. Unfortunately, our delegation has it backwards, and cares more about serving as yes-men for the Democratic leadership than working for New Mexico.”