The Office of Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick has announced her participation in a bipartisan delegation of rural advocates in Washington, D.C. The delegation focused on advocating for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which is crucial for funding public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services in forested counties, including those in Hadwick’s 1st Assembly District.
Hadwick was part of a group of over 40 delegates from five states and Washington, D.C., who met with members of Congress to push for a long-term renewal of SRS funding. She highlighted the program’s essential role in supporting rural communities, especially in Northern California, which receives over half of the state’s SRS funding.
Originally enacted in 2000, the Secure Rural Schools Act addresses the loss of local tax revenue due to the tax-exempt status of federal forest lands. The decline of the timber industry in the mid-1980s led to an over 85% drop in federal timber revenue, increasing reliance on SRS funding for rural communities.
Since 2012, California has received $38 million annually in SRS funding, with $33 million allocated for 2024. The 1st Assembly District accounted for nearly 58% of that funding, approximately $19 million this year, reflecting the high need within the region. These funds support over 4,400 schools across the nation, including those in 39 California counties, with half allocated directly to public school districts and the other half to county-maintained roads and local services.
Hadwick expressed gratitude to Reps. Doug LaMalfa and Joe Neguse for introducing the bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, which aims to extend SRS payments through fiscal year 2026. She emphasized the importance of this funding for the survival of schools and communities, asserting that students in rural areas deserve equal access to education and services.
The timing of Hadwick’s visit coincided with positive developments, as the U.S. House of Representatives included a full reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on May 22. This act, now proceeding to the Senate, aims to secure continued support for rural schools and counties through fiscal year 2026.
