Hadwick urges reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools Act to protect rural communities and schools

Today, Assemblymember Hadwick is calling for immediate action to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act  to support struggling rural communities across California. In a letter to federal lawmakers signed by a delegation of other legislators, Hadwick urged the continuation of this critical funding program, which has been essential to rural counties for more than a century.

The Secure Rural Schools program was established as a promise to California’s rural counties when they gave up forestland to the U.S. Forest Service for logging operations. In exchange for lost tax revenue, counties received a share of logging profits to support vital services such as schools, roads, and infrastructure. Today, approximately 20 million acres, or 20 percent, of California’s land is federally owned, and without the reauthorization of the SRS program, many rural communities could face devastating consequences.

“Rural counties depend on the SRS program to fund the basic services that residents rely on,” said Hadwick. “Last year alone, nearly $40 million was paid to 39 counties, supporting schools, teachers and infrastructure that are critical to these communities. If this funding is eliminated, rural schools will be forced to close, teachers will be laid off, and students — especially those in high-needs areas — will be denied the educational opportunities they deserve.”

The reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program is also crucial to California’s wildfire response efforts. Funds from the SRS program have historically supported the maintenance of thousands of miles of forest roads, which are vital for emergency response and fire management.

With the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires, especially in the wildland-urban interface, these roads are essential for protecting both lives and property.

“We cannot afford to lose our rural schools or communities,” Hadwick said. “This program is a lifeline for these areas.”

Hadwick urges Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act in order to keep rural communities and schools alive across the state of California.

About Heather Hadwick
Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick represents the 1st Assembly District, which includes portions of El Dorado and Placer counties, along with Lassen, Alpine, Amador, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou counties.