Resolution Number SD07.63
Supporting Federal Forest Reserve Funds For Rural Schools
WHEREAS, the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act of 2000 has been a primary funding mechanism to provide rural schools’ students with educational opportunities comparable to suburban and urban students, as well as providing funds for search and rescue work on federal lands and developing community wildfire protection plans in these rural areas; and
WHEREAS, prior to September of 2007, federal law provided a primary finding mechanism to provide rural schools' students with educational opportunities comparable to suburban and urban students, as well as providing funds for search and rescue work on federal lands and developing community wildfire protection plans in rural areas, promoting projects for fuel reduction, habitat improvement, watershed restoration, road maintenance and rehabilitation, and also allowing rural county road districts and country road departments to address severe maintenance backlog; and
WHEREAS, the federal law that provides for the above has expired and without the funds many rural school districts face massive layoffs and several counties have indicated they will hand over control of their schools to the state;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party supports reauthorizing the federal program that provides the funding mechanism for rural schools and ASKS? that the state of California provide temporary funding to rural school districts until the federal funding is restored; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be distributed to California's Democratic congressional and state legislative delegations.
Drafted by Thomas Gangale, Chair, Issues and Legislation Committee, Sonoma County
Democratic Party; Adapted from Mary Walker, Chair, Alpine County Democratic Central Committee;
6th AD Demo Club
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Adopted by the Executive Board
Of the California Democratic Party
At Its Executive Board Meeting
Westin Hotel, Millbrae
June 15, 2008 | 
