Congress approves an economic lifeline for rural schools in California and elsewhere

""We've got Republicans and Democrats holding hands, passing this freaking bill, finally,""

"But because Congress could not agree upon how to fund the program, it took nearly three years - and a lapse in funding - for the Secure Rural Schools Act to be revived, at least temporarily. On Tuesday, the U.S. House overwhelmingly voted to extend the program through 2027 and to provide retroactive payments to districts that lost funding while it was lapsed. The vote was 399 to 5, with all nay votes cast by Republicans. The bill, approved unanimously by the Senate in June, now awaits President Trump's signature."

""We stayed positive. The option to quit was, what, layofffs and kids not getting educated? We kept telling them the same story, and they kept listening.""

Congress extended the Secure Rural Schools Act through 2027 and approved retroactive payments to districts that lost funding during a lapse. The program originated 25 years ago as a temporary fix for rural counties losing timber tax revenue. Funding disagreements in Congress delayed renewal for nearly three years, causing a lapse that threatened budgets of thousands of forested-county school districts. A small Northern California district superintendent repeatedly traveled to Washington to press for renewal. The House voted 399–5, with all nay votes from Republicans; the Senate approved the bill unanimously in June. The measure awaits presidential signature.

Read at Los Angeles Times