[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                URGING MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE PILT BILL

  (Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming. Mr. Speaker, I come to the well to talk about 
an issue that will be on the floor shortly. It is called PILT, payment 
in lieu of taxes. This is a bill that has to do with fairness and 
equity.
  Traditionally local units of government have been reimbursed by the 
Federal Government when there is a great deal of federally owned land 
or property there that does not produce the typical taxes that support 
local units of government. Since 1976, Mr. Speaker, this PILT payment 
has not been adjusted, and it affects primarily, of course, the States 
in the West.
  My State of Wyoming is 50 percent owned by the Federal Government. 
Nevada is as much as 85 percent federally owned. However, there are 
still, of course, services to be provided: hospital services, sheriff 
services, all kinds of services to people who come to these Federal 
facilities.
  Today we are going to talk about being able to update that 1976 
payment to States so local governments can continue to provide 
services, can continue to have an economic future in the West. It 
affects 49 States, but particularly those States in the West. I urge my 
associates in the House to vote yes on this PILT bill today.

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