KTVF: Dept. of the Interior distributes $30 million to local Alaskan governments through the P.I.L.T. program
Local governments throughout Alaska will be receiving more than $30 million dollars through the 'Payments in Lieu of Taxes' or 'PILT' program. The program provides payments to local governments throughout Alaska that contain federal lands which are not subject to state or local taxation.
According to a press release from Senator Lisa Murkowski's office, the revenue helps these communities with construction of public schools, roads, firefighting, police protection, and search and rescue operations.
Murkowski stated, “In Alaska, the federal government controls over 60 percent of our lands, making PILT essential for community services.”
She went on to say, “Boroughs, counties, and parishes across the U.S. with large amounts of federal lands face real challenges in developing sustainable economies. This funding helps keep schools up and running, provides support for life-saving emergency services, and helps ensure police officers and firefighters are able to do their jobs as effectively as possible. We worked hard in the appropriations process to ensure Alaska received robust funding for this program. Now, as the Department of the Interior disburses these payments, Alaskans across the state will benefit from this economic boost.”
Through her role as chairman of the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murkowski worked to secure over $514 million for the nationwide PILT program in FY19.
Source: KTVF
