Farm bill would restore millions in funds for San Bernardino County

New federal agricultural spending legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this past week aims to restore millions in local funds, provide agricultural related money for local colleges, maintain state food standards, and reduce some spending on the national food stamp program.

Money from the bill would restore the $3.1 million-a-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILT, program for San Bernardino County. These federal payments were provided to local governments to offset lost property taxes because of nontaxable federal land in their boundaries.

The Agricultural Act of 2014, or HR 2642, was passed in the House on Wednesday and is expected to be voted on in the Senate some time this week. The Obama administration has signaled it would support the legislation. READ MORE...