1976 Scorecard Vote
Payments in Lieu of Taxes (HR 9719). In the past, many communities have opposed the creation of nearby National Parks because parks would decrease their tax base. This bill was designed to overcome the problem by compensating local communities for tax revenues lost when private lands are purchased by the federal government. The vote is on the Skubitz amendment to remove the National Park System from the lands covered by the bill--an action that defeats the main purpose of the legislation. While National Forests and wildlife refuges would still be covered, their establishment rarely involves purchase of large chunks of private land, so they do not create the same tax problems as new park acquisitions. August 5, 1976. Rejected 96-302. "NO" is the correct vote.
pro-environment position