Inhofe amendment gets Senate approval

(Tulsa-AP) --The U-S Senate approved an amendment by Senator Jim Inhofe today that would increase funding for a program that<br>reimburses local school districts for tax revenue they lose because they

Tuesday, June 27th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) --The U-S Senate approved an amendment by Senator Jim Inhofe today that would increase funding for a program that
reimburses local school districts for tax revenue they lose because they have federal property within their districts.

Inhofe says more than 200 Oklahoma school districts rely on Impact Aid funding. His amendment would result in those districts
receiving 31 million dollars. That's an increase of eight million dollars from last fiscal year.

Inhofe says for too long the federal government has not properly funded the program. He says forcing school districts to make up the shortfalls with already limited dollars. He says schools should not be penalized because of federal lands or activity in their districts.

His measure was an amendment to an appropriations bill that still needs Senate approval. Once that happens, the bill will go to
a House-Senate conference committee.