Economic Impact Payments: What You Need To Know

Congressman Simpson's
Weekly Update

April 30th 2020 

When it comes to COVID-19, nothing is simple and nothing is easy.
While our country’s best researchers are working on treatments and finding a vaccine, and the American people are following the guidelines of social distancing and washing hands, we as a nation want to get back to work. I fully support both President Trump and Governor Little in their efforts to open our economy as quickly as possible while adhering to public health safety guidelines. While we navigate this treacherous storm, I’m working with Idahoans from various industries to help them where I can and appreciate their guidance and feedback.








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IDAHO STATE TREASURER, CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCE SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS PAYMENTS

Idaho counties will receive $23.9 million in federal funds for schools

BOISE -- Members of Idaho’s congressional delegation and State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth say Idaho counties will receive a total of $23.9 million in payments this year under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program.  The funds are administered through the U.S. Forest Service and based on a formula that takes into account economic activity, timber harvest levels and other considerations that vary from county to county.  SRS payments are critical to maintain education programs for many rural counties that contain federal lands exempt from property taxes.

"I want to thank Sen. Crapo and Sen. Risch as well as Congressmen Simpson and Fulcher for obtaining a two-year extension for the Secure Rural Schools program,” said Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth.  “Their staff has worked seamlessly with my office and we commend them for helping us distribute these dollars to rural Idaho where they can be put to use improving our communities.”

“The nearly $24 million SRS payments Idaho will receive provides critical funding streams for rural Idahoans,” said Senator Crapo.  “I will continue working in Congress to pass federal legislation that makes the SRS program permanent to provide more long-term stability and certainty for communities and school districts home to large swaths of federal land.”

“SRS payments are an essential lifeline for rural communities across Idaho,” said Senator Risch.  “These funds will ensure that Idaho counties can provide education and other essential services like search and rescue and road maintenance.  I will continue working to keep this vital program functioning while seeking a long term, reliable solution for our counties.”

“I have long advocated and secured critical funding for SRS and PILT,” said Representative Simpson.  “SRS is critical for timber counties that need the revenue that pay for critical education needs in our rural counties.  I am pleased to see this funding I voted for being distributed to counties at a time that they need it more than ever.” 

“The federal government controls 63% of Idaho’s natural resources, preventing these areas from generating revenue and taxes to support our rural schools and infrastructure,” said Representative Fulcher.  “Until this land can be utilized, these payments are vital to the success of our rural communities, and I am pleased to see that they will be delivered.”

Payments through the program are seen as a lifeline for many counties that rely on them for school funds as well as law enforcement and infrastructure needs.  A two-year extension of SRS funding was included in the end-of-year funding package approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump.  Without the two-year extension of the program, SRS program counties would have been subject to payments based on the outdated 25 percent receipt formula.  The extension helps ensure rural communities and school districts home to federal land can provide essential services while bipartisan work continues to end the financial uncertainty thousands of rural counties face nationwide.  

A list of payments by county can be found HERE.  For more information about the administration of public funds by the State Treasurer’s Office (STO), visit the STO’s website HERE.

 




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It isn’t a secret that food producers across the country have been hit especially hard by the unprecedented and necessary measures our country has taken to combat COVID-19. The slow down in the food service industry has decimated markets for crops that are already planted and have nowhere else to go. These family run farms are the fabric of our communities in Idaho and I hope this letter helps the Administration and USDA better understand the impacts payment limitations will have on rural America. I stand ready to work with my colleagues in Congress to provide USDA the resources they need to help the agriculture community without payment limitations.





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The City of Ammon organized an incredible display of support for our local responders. Click on the photo below to learn more.






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President Trump and Secretary Bernhardt are working to reopen our National Parks in a safe and responsible way. I applaud this effort, access to public land is a wise way to social distance.





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Small businesses are the lifeblood of rural communities, and this grant funding for a Revolving Loan Fund could not have come at a better time. I am pleased to support President Trump’s economic development efforts, and I am eager to see how ECIPDA and businesses across Eastern Idaho leverage these funds to encourage job creation and economic stabilization in our region.

Click the link below to learn more.





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The INL is getting involved to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Learn more about the technology deployment program below.





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Idaho's Famous Potatoes and Idaho's Famous Generosity
were recently on national display.
Live with Kelly and Ryan spoke with Oakley Idaho potato famer Ryan Cranney.
Cranney Farms offered potatoes to those in the community who were in need.
People like the Cranney family make Idaho such a wonderful place to live.





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Thanks to the creativity of a local school district, Idaho Falls seniors will have a graduation. District 91 approved plans to hold graduation ceremonies at a local drive in movie theater.   



 
 

 
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