Secure Rural Schools secure for 2 more years

The U.S. Senate approved a bill Tuesday night to extend the Secure Rural Schools program for two more years. The federal revenue-sharing program delivers some $14 million to local governments in Alaska, primarily in Southeast, to compensate them for the lack of federal timber receipts.

The extension was rolled into a Medicare reimbursement bill known as the “doc fix.” The vote was 92-8, with some conservative Republicans voting no.

Both Alaska senators voted for the bill, which now goes to President Obama for his signature.