WESTERN TREASURE VALLEY — U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon; Jim Risch, R-Idaho; and Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, have introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act program for three years as Senate Bill 5608. According to a news release, the program is intended to provide support to rural schools and counties home to non-taxable federal land for educational funding, road maintenance and other essential services.
Funding for the program expired on Sept. 30.