Federal government may be forced to pay money it owes
A proposal in Congress could end federal delays in paying counties the money they are owed for public land.
Rep. Jared Polis introduced a bill that would extend funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools program.
The funding is among programs tied up in the federal budget sequester.
The bill would give county officials the certainty they need to provide basic services for their communities, like police and fire protection.
According to the Vail Daily (http://tinyurl.com/owdqpzn ), the money is needed because the federal government does not pay property taxes on public land.
