Tuolumne County Group Will Lobby In Washington Next Week

Sonora, Ca — A contingency from Tuolumne County will board a plane to Washington, DC this weekend with plans to lobby Congress beginning Monday on the merits of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act.

County Superintendent of Schools Joe Silva says that there is optimism that the act will be renewed. ?I have a letter from the White House, as does CAO Craig Pedro, and it says that they are supportive of extending this for at least one more year, if not four more years,? says Silva. ?We feel that we´re going to come back, and they will have taken a vote in support of it.?

The funding is expected to be included in a tax extender bill that will soon go up for debate among lawmakers. If approved, $2.5 million will come to the County. $1 million would go to schools, $1 million to roads and the remaining money to forest projects.

Others planning to make the trip are CAO Craig Pedro, Sonora Elementary Superintendent Margie Bulkin and Twain Harte-Summerville High Superintendent Dr. John Keiter.

Written by BJ Hansen